The BHP Billiton Science Awards have been sponsored by BHP Billiton since 1981 and are managed by CSIRO, Australia's premier scientific research organisation.

BHP Billiton Science Awards announced today

Reference: 08/23

The 2008 BHP Billiton Science Awards, Australia's most prestigious student science awards, will be announced in Melbourne today by Mr Don Argus, Chairman of BHP Billiton.

• 12 February 2008

The Awards recognise school students who have undertaken practical research projects that demonstrate innovative scientific investigation.

The Keynote speaker is Professor Peter Doherty, Nobel Laureate. Presentations will be made by CSIRO Chairman Dr John Stocker and BHP Billiton Chairman Mr Don Argus. Also attending is Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Jim Peacock. 

The winners are:

• First Prize: Storm Holwill, Marist Regional College, Tasmania, for ‘Just a Drop in the Ocean.’ Awarded $2000 and will compete at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Atlanta, USA.
• Second Prize: Shaun Williams, Keebra Park State High School, Queensland, for ‘Chlorella protothecoides as a carbon sink and bio diesel source.’ Awarded $1200 and will compete at ISEF.
• Third Prize: Sally Barrett, Keebra Park State High School, Queensland, for ‘The effect of anthropogenic carbon dioxide on the shell development of ostracods.’ Awarded $500.
• GRDC Award: Shaun Williams, Keebra Park State High School, Queensland, for ‘Chlorella protothecoides as a carbon sink and bio diesel source.’ The GRDC (Grains Research and Development Corporation) Award is given to the student whose project best communicates original research on sustainable plant agriculture. 
• Teacher Award: Cheryl Capra, Albany Hills State School, Queensland. Awarded travel to ISEF.

The national winners were chosen from 16 State and Territory finalists who attended a science camp in Melbourne from 9 to12 February. All State and Territory finalists received cash prizes.

The students submitted a project which describes their scientific investigation for the initial selection process.

The 16 finalists prepared a poster about their research and explained their investigation to a panel of judges.

The BHP Billiton Science Awards are a partnership between BHP Billiton, CSIRO and the Australian Science Teachers Association.

The 2008 BHP Billiton Science Awards will be presented at a lunch at Scienceworks Museum, 2 Booker Street, Spotswood in Melbourne. Students can be interviewed with their posters from 11am and the Awards presentation is from 12 to 2pm. Media are welcome to attend.

Further information: BHP Billiton Science Awards  [external link]

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