1. Tasmanian Science Talent Search – 2017 Theme – Future Earth

2. Technology Section: Open to students from Prep to year 8.
Important dates for your diary
Entrants will need to register their entries with the Director TSTS by Friday August 4th, 2017 and then bring their work to the Public Judging Day to demonstrate and discuss the entry with the judge.
Public Judging Day Venues:
Launceston – Sunday August from East Launceston Primary School
Hobart – Sunday August the Sustainability Centre, Mount Nelson
North West – to be negotiated upon demand

3. Engineering Section: Open to students from year 5 to year 12.
Challenge: Design, create and test a working invention (unrestricted topic).
Judging Criteria:
Students need to design, create and test a working invention (unrestricted in topic)
It needs to be a physical device that either:
Solves a problem in a scientific or engineering context OR
Provides and innovative approach to a problem
The device should not be static unless it is a new invention
The device should be accompanied by:
A written report not exceeding 1000 words
A video presentation demonstrating the invention in action (on USB)

4. The judging process Judging information: (details on the next slide)
Although regional judging will take place this is a state-wide competition and winners will be INVITED to progress to the National BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards, providing winning entries meet the national standard. Details of this opportunity can be found at
For those students who make it to the national level – a video will be necessary to record the entry and to then upload it for BHP Billiton judging.

5. Registration prior to judging is essential
Entrants will need to register their entry with the Director TSTS by Friday August 4th, 2017 and then bring their working invention to the Public Judging Day to demonstrate and discuss the entry with the judge.
Public Judging Day Venues:
Launceston – Sunday August from East Launceston Primary School
Hobart – Sunday August the Sustainability Centre, Mount Nelson
North West – to be negotiated upon demand

6. Where to go for ideas
The 2017 winners are on the BHP Billiton Science and Engineering Awards web site.
While students are encouraged to come up with their own ideas, previous successful entrants can provide inspiration – taking an already tested idea and moving it in a different direction is looked upon favourably or if students are new to the experience then these examples provide some ideas for what is possible. Remember though, that these examples are national winners – local success can happen without making to this level. Your students might start with a very simple idea.

7. Stuck and need a mentor STAT has a mentoring support program.
For engineering the person to contact is Darrin Timms on
Darrin has a background in engineering and is now on class full time at East Launceston Primary School. He is happy to hook up electronically but give him time to answer – he is a teacher too.

8. Good luck – we are looking forward to lots of entries in both the Technology and Engineering Sections of the 2017 TSTS.
“We never know where the opportunities we provide will lead but we should be open to every possibility to support our students to achieve their highest potential through exciting challenges and positive learning experiences”.
Famous Philosopher