Budding young scientists turned their minds to sustainable fishing and farming as part of this year’s Hermitage Research Facility Plant Science Competition.
More than 3500 students, ranging from prep to year 12, participated in this year’s competition, with 129 schools from across Australia represented.
Winners were announced today (1 October, 2024) at a special event at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) Hermitage Research Facility.
Competing in a range of categories, students experienced first-hand the important role aquaculture and agriculture play in food security, and how sustainable fishing and farming practices protect vital ecosystems.
Two new awards were offered this year, the Alan Cruickshank Memorial ‘Germinator’ Outstanding STEM Teacher Award and the Earthwatch Student Challenge Fellowship.
The Alan Cruickshank Memorial ’Germinator’ Outstanding STEM Teacher Award is sponsored by the family of former DAF senior plant breeder Alan Cruickshank and recognises the special role teachers play in germinating students’ interest and achievement in STEM. Jade King, agriculture teacher from the Glasshouse Christian College, won the $1000 prize for professional development.
The Earthwatch Student Challenge Fellowship, sponsored by Earthwatch Australia, gives one student the opportunity to experience environmental research first-hand.
The winner, year 12 student Maisie Atwell from Clifton State High School, will work alongside leading scientists in a week-long expedition this year along the banks of the Murray River in South Australia; an experience valued at $5000.
Other major individual science prizes were awarded to students from across Australia.
The competition’s Art in AgRiculTure section saw students intertwine science with art to create fin-tastic, fisheries-themed artworks, resulting in a gill-iant collection of pencil sketches, paintings, sculptures and storybooks.
Students from Glennie Heights State School and Warwick West State School won the top art prizes of ‘Most Outstanding School’, with Warwick East State School and Coffs Harbour Christian Community School receiving runner-up prizes.
A third component of the competition, in partnership with Guardians of Earth, involved students worldwide participating in a citizen science biosecurity-themed adventure that involved monitoring animals and organisms that invade plants via a mobile gaming app.
The 2024 Guardians of Earth ‘Pest Invaders’ BioQuest attracted 356 participants with 1194 species monitored.
Player ’The Owl Whisperer’ from Miallo State School in Far North Queensland was crowned the Overall BioQuest Champion, securing an environmental-themed experience in the Cairns region valued at $1000.
Hermitage Research Facility Schools Plant Science Competition major sponsors include DAF, Guardians of Earth, Earthwatch Australia, the Grains Research and Development Corporation and the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation.
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Hermitage Research Facility spokesperson Kerrie Rubie said:
“This year’s science and art entries were exceptional and inspires great hope for the future of science and agriculture,“ she said.
“These aspiring young scientists have learned about the importance of sustainable fisheries and farming for future food security.
“Students were free to explore any area of interest under the theme of ’fishing and farming for the future’ or follow our pre-designed experiments and research activities and submit a scientific report on their findings.
“It’s inspiring to see this level of enthusiasm for science and it bodes well for the future of our agricultural industries.“
Major science award prize winners:
* Alan Cruickshank Memorial ’Germinator’ Outstanding STEM Teacher Award ($1000 value): Jade King, Agriculture teacher, Glasshouse Christian College (QLD)
* Earthwatch Student Challenge Fellowship ($5000 value): Maisie Atwell, year 12, Clifton State High School (QLD)
* Paul Johnston Memorial Senior Science Award ($1500 value):
Winner: Yasmine Brockhurst, year 10, Child Challenger Homeschool (QLD)
Runner-up: Ruby Klein, year 11, Glasshouse Christian College (QLD)
* SQLD Rabo Client Council Conference Award ($1000 value): Eva Young, year 10, Centenary Heights State High School (QLD)
* Conference Award ($1000 value): Tia Stephens, year 12, Harristown State High School (QLD)
* Crawford Fund International Agricultural Science Award ($1000 value):
Winners: Ruby Klein, year 11, Glasshouse Christian College (QLD), Abigail MacRae, year 5, Dalby State School (QLD)
Runners-up: Olivia Watson-Brown, year 10, Glasshouse Christian College (QLD)
* QUT Most Outstanding Poster Awards ($1000 value):
Winners: Ruby Klein, year 11, Glasshouse Christian College (QLD), Jordana Evans, year 9, Evans Homeschool (QLD), Aliyah Evans, year 6, Evans Homeschool (QLD), Ariel Evans, year 3, Evans Homeschool (QLD), Year 1, Glennie Heights State School (QLD)
Runners-up: Yasmine Brockhurst, year 10, Child Challenger Homeschool (QLD), Keileigh Balmer, year 9, Rushworth P-12 College (VIC)
* Ag Institute of Australia Junior Science Achievement Award ($250 value):
Winner: Jordana Evans, year 9, Evans Homeschool (QLD)
Runner-up: Ian Connor, year 7, Murrumba State Secondary College (QLD)
* Joe Baker Outstanding Achievement Awards ($100 value):
Winner years 3-6: Ariel Evans, year 3, and Aliyah Evans, year 6, Evans Homeschool (QLD)
Winner years P-2: Irene Skoubourdis, year 2, Skoubourdis Homeschool (QLD)
* John and Chris Purdie Young Science Investigator Award ($200 value):
Winner: Chelsey Poole, year 1, Glennie Heights State School (QLD)
Runner-up: William Wilson, year 2, Pilton State School (QLD)
