AUSSEF - Australian Science and Engineering Fair

We returned to Meijiang Convention Centre to finalise project set up this morning, where we found more participants than yesterday. More Chinese students have arrived to Tianjin, setting up ready for tomorrow's judging. There are 20 international countries participating in CASTIC and there are an estimated 600 students participating in 38th CASTIC. Our posters have survived travel well and flattened out nicely onto the boards. Technology is certainly a Chinese strength. Digital stands at the end of booths allows you to “call” a display inspector with the touch of a button and a scan of your badge. Meeting all display rules and regulations our team returned to the hotel for lunch. For all updates follow our Blog: https://lnkd.in/g7Zzmpv4 #AUSSEF #STEM #STEMEducation #CASTIC #CASTIC2024

With thanks to Robert at Flight Centre, our AUSSEF team arrived synchronously in Singapore’s beautiful Changi airport for our united flight into Tianjin. Arriving at 7:30am after approximately 15hrs of transit, we were quite overwhelmed to be met by cameras and video cameras, with our volunteer, Angela, welcoming us and explaining that they were wanting to photograph and interview us. The welcoming continued as we were escorted to our accommodation at the Tianjin Scientists and Engineers Club. A magnificent hotel with another round of photographs and welcome gifts. All international participants are staying here, which has allowed for students to instantly start forming new connections as they meet in the halls and dining room. The Australian team have already formed good friends with the Cambodian team. After freshening up, we had lunch and headed to the Meijiang Convention Centre to start setting up displays. What a magnificent building! With just a small group of us setting up, the huge space was very quiet. We are looking forward to seeing it filled with all contestants over the coming days. A quiet evening to recharge for tomorrow’s events. For all updates follow our Blog: https://lnkd.in/g7Zzmpv4 #AUSSEF #STEM #STEMEducation #CASTIC #CASTIC2024

After our team’s strong performance in Los Angeles, we received an invitation to send a four member team to China to compete at Asia’s largest school student Science Fair. The AUSSEF Committee saw that this would be another good opportunity to showcase Australia’s amazing school STEM talent and so we quickly organised a representative team. The team from left to right are Adrian and Alex Zhuang (NSW), Joshua Abordi (WA) and Niyaz Hasan (NT). They and their chaperone Jessica Neilsen (NT), joined up in Singapore from their respective states and territories and they will be travelling to Tianjin, China to compete at 38th CASTIC (China Adolescents Science and Technology Innovation Contest). For all updates follow our Blog: https://lnkd.in/g7Zzmpv4 #AUSSEF #STEM #STEMEducation #CASTIC #CASTIC2024

2024 Record-breaking results. At the ISEF 2024 Grand Awards, the Australian team won 5 Grand Awards! These Grand Awards are only for the best 25-27% of projects in each category. So a category with 80 projects will have something like 2 firsts, 4 seconds, 6 thirds and 8 fourths, while 60 projects miss out on an award. So a fair like ours with 9 projects will, on average, have 2 Grand Awards. Last year we had 3 Grand Awards, which was fantastic, but 5 Grand Awards is extraordinary! Our Grand Award winners are: 2nd Place in the category of Translational Medicine – Aditya Ghai from Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie), QLD 3rd Place in the category of Biomedical Engineering – Jeslyn Tan from Barker College, NSW 3rd Place in the category of Earth and Environmental Sciences – Pothik Vincent Mondol, Mohammad Niyaz Hasan and Monishi Rangchak Tripura from Darwin High School, NT 3rd Place in the category of Earth and Environmental Sciences – Adrian Zhuang and Alex Zhuang from The King's School NSW 4th Place in the category of Software Systems – Rahul Kumar from Brisbane Grammar School With the two team awards we effectively had 8 out of our 12 finalists win Grand Awards – a very good day for STEM students from Australia. In Australia’s 25 years of ISEF representation we have never won more than four Grand Awards, so this is a record-breaking performance. This is on the back of two Special Awards won last night: USD $800 – 2nd Place in the INCOSE Systems Engineering Award – Jeslyn Tan from Barker College, NSW USD $500 – Prize winner in the Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation Award – Kevin Hao from Knox Grammar School, NSW. On behalf of the 22-strong Australian delegation who travelled to Los Angeles, we would like to firstly thank our judges who wisely selected the top nine projects; our sponsors who made this trip possible; the The Royal Society of Victoria who managed the plethora of funding transactions; the parents and teachers who supported each of the student finalists and most importantly the wonderful AUSSEF - Australian Science and Engineering Fair Committee who organised the whole selection process and the all-expenses-paid-trip to Los Angeles. Our sights are now set on ISEF 2025 to be held in Columbus Ohio, so we would love sponsors to jump on board now to give their expressions of interest so we can better prepare for this event. #RegeneronISEF #AUSSEF #STEM #Australia #Innovation

Another Special Award! Kevin Hao, Knox Grammar School - won a Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) award for an outstanding achievement in research and innovation. The Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation (QRDI) Council, is committed to promoting advancements in research, development, and innovation initiatives locally and globally. QRDI catalyzes progress across various sectors, fostering collaboration and partnerships to address pressing societal issues and promote sustainable growth. #RegeneronISEF #AUSSEF #Innovation #STEM

Amazing news from the ISEF Special awards, Jeslyn Tan, Barker College won a 2nd place International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) award for being one of the best interdisciplinary projects that can produce technologically appropriate solutions that meet societal needs #RegeneronISEF #AUSSEF #Innovation #STEM

Our main attractions of the day were the three Q&A sessions with Excellence in Science and Technology Panel, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Impact Panel and a live stream with Jeanette Epps from the International Space Station. Out of the 1700 students here, Adrian from The King's School and Jeslyn from Barker College were both selected to ask their questions to the Panels. We were really proud of their questions and feedback in response. Some of the favourite take aways from these morning sessions included “It doesn’t matter where you are, it matters what you do there”, “Stay open to opportunity”, “Follow your passion now, then pivot with your interest area”, “Be uncomfortable, take opportunities that push you”, “Be curious, keep pushing to learn more from people you admire”, and “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Make time, pace yourself, find balance”. #RegeneronISEF #AUSSEF #Innovation #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #STEM

Sunday 12th May: ISEF set up day! Registration, interviews, booth set up, safety check and pin swap. We were set for a big day. At registration students collected their finalist’s registration name tags and found their name amongst the almighty board of finalists. The team made Australia proud as they were fortunate enough to be interviewed, bringing the Australian team energy. Hopefully, this footage will be used in the Opening Ceremony tomorrow! Our posters look fantastic. Students set up their booths, careful to follow the regulations while also seeking to stand out from the crowd. This involves having a safety and regulations check to ensure specifications are met. We have most of the team signed off today, with final touches being made on a couple to sign off tomorrow. The evening held an epic pin swap event for the students. Armed with bags full of Koalas, our Australians were a hot commodity. Our students had an overwhelming and brilliantly fun time connecting with fellow finalists around the world, returning with a treasure trove of pins representing this diversity. #regeneronISEF #AUSSEF #Science #Innovation

The 2024 AUSSEF team have all arrived safely in LA ready for the Regeneron ISEF 2024. They have been adjusting to the new time zone by exploring a few science-related sites, La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, Griffith Observatory Read more on the AUSSEF updates page https://lnkd.in/g2WKEJ5j #RegeneronISEF #AUSSEF #STEM #aussieED

EAEV090 - Microplastics, Anything but a Small Problem by Jessica Jones from MENAI HIGH SCHOOL New research sheds light on the pervasive issue of microplastics in our oceans. Investigating their impact on marine life, this study focuses on Daphnia Magna and the effects of different-sized polyethylene microplastics. Results reveal significant physiological impacts, particularly in mortality and swimming speed, emphasising the urgent need for further research. With implications for both marine ecosystems and public health, understanding microplastics' effects is crucial for addressing this global challenge. 🌊🔬 #Microplastics #MarineLife #EnvironmentalImpact #RegeneronISEF #AUSSEF Click here to view the Projectboard - https://lnkd.in/gCi3y8xy