Nominations for Australia’s richest science award open
Jun 6, 2008
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| (L-R) Front: Winners of last year's Premier Science Awards, Professor David Blair and Dr Kristen Novak (L-R) Behind: Warwick Mathews, Roger Harris and Professor Paul McMenamin (Absent: Allan Whittome) |
Western Australia's prestigious science awards just got bigger, offering $400,000 in prize money, making the Premier's Science Awards the richest in Australia.
Also for the first time in the awards six years history, a student category has been included.
The awards are open to scientists, researchers and science educators at all levels, along with students studying science.
Deputy Director General for the Industry Development Group at the Department of Industry and Resources Joe Ostojich, said that the awards give the State's science community the opportunity to celebrate, encourage and reward leading scientists, science teachers and science communicators.
"The Premier Science Awards are an opportunity to recognise the brilliant science taking place at all levels across the State," he said.
"WA is not only producing remarkable science, it is teaching remarkable science to our students, who are themselves creating scientific discoveries that are leading to break-throughs that will help the community.
"This year's brand new category, the Science Student of the Year
Award, also helps to further encourage our younger generation to
take up science at school so they can become a part of our bright
science future.
"The local science community are encouraged to nominate their
peers, students, or anyone they know who is contributing to our
science success."
Last year's winners continue to excel with Dr Kristen Nowak, WA
Young Scientist of the Year, travelling throughout Western
Australia promoting science to our younger generation and
encouraging women in science.
WA 2007 Science Communicator Outside the Classroom and Herdsman
Lake Wildlife Centre Manager Roger Harris believes winning the
award last year opened his eyes to all the science that is taking
place in WA.
"Winning this award has been a wonderful experience for me. I have
been rubbing shoulders with other science community members,
bouncing and sharing ideas on how to communicate science to
students and retain science teachers," Mr Harris said.
"I believe this award will start to lift the profile of science in
all areas, particularly science educators, and you know what, I
love my job but being recognised for doing what I love is
fantastic."
Premier's Science Awards categories include:
• Scientist of the Year - $100,000
• Young Scientist of the Year - $50,000
• Excellence in Science Communication outside the Classroom -
$50,000
• Excellence in Science Teaching: Primary - $50,000
• Excellence in Science Teaching: Secondary - $50,000
• Excellence in Science Teaching: Tertiary - $50,000
• Science Student of the Year: Secondary - $10,000
• Science Student of the Year: TAFE - $20,000
• Science Student of the Year: University - $20,000
Nominations close 5 pm on Thursday 31 July 2008.
For more information and a copy of the nomination forms visit
http://www.doir.wa.gov.au/1029.aspx
The WA Government, through the Department of Industry and Resources
and Scitech, supports the State's brilliant science community.
