2012 Sleek Geeks Eureka Science Schools Prize
The University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka School Prizes are part of the Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, Australia's most comprehensive science awards.
The idea is to communicate a scientific concept(s) in a way that is accessible and entertaining while painlessly increasing the public's science knowledge or, as the Sleek Geeks like to say: "Learn something without even noticing".
Entries take the form of a one to three minute video piece and a 250 word description of the content, and may be produced by an individual student or a group of up to six students. This prize is about content and creativity, not production values!
Here are the 2012 winners and a selection of the highly commended entries.
WINNER | Ignatius Fox, Oyster Bay Public School
How does different feed effect the size and weight of free range hens' eggs?
2ND PRIZE | Luca Pona, Neutral Bay Public School
This video explores what happens to household waste and re-creates a mini landfill.
James Anthony, Abbey Williams, Thomas Celik, Pia Brockhoff, Harry McIntyre, Emily Panting, Harbord Public School
A scary film about electricity and the consequences of using electrical energy with batteries and circuits.
Ashley How, Alexander Saltmarsh, Table Cape Primary School
Explore the world of buckyballs and their importance for a more efficient future.
Andrew Lee, Kailey Wheatcroft, Sean Chionh, Caladenia Primary School
What is centrifugal force? Who discovered it? And why it is important?
Sam Munro, Finn Pohlner, Bardon State School
A short flim explaining how to make a rocket which highlights the power of pressure.
Bianca Iriarte, Howie Adrian, Nikkita Mariconte, Owen Kosasih, Nathan McDonald, Lucas McGeachie, St Therese Primary School, Mascot
The science of the digestive system is explained through diagrams and poop jokes.
WINNER | Brandon Gifford, Casino High School
Lizards survive in some of the most hostile environments on earth, swamps, rainforests, woodlands and deserts. So why are they so successful?
2ND PRIZE | Greer Clarke, All Hallows' School
We all generally know that natural selection is what causes some species to thrive, others to disappear, and others to evolve, but WHAT'S actually doing the selecting, and how?
3RD PRIZE | Martin de Rooy, Pimlico State High School
Filmed on beautiful Hinchinbrook Island, this video explains the common misconceptions of water and its colour.
Jayden Ghrcia, Leo Malfara, Andrew Duffy, Marist College Kogarah
Explore the vast cosmic universe and how it was created.
Lily Li, Aileen Fang, Janice Ly, Burwood Girls' High School
An awesomely intriguing scientific phenomenon - the Doppler Effect explained.
Daniel Hales, Kirwan State High School
Discover what a black hole is and learn about the process of 'spaghettification'
Lauren Inwood, Denison College, Bathurst High Campus
This video explains open star clusters and talks about their physical properties including location, formation times and numbers of stars.
Eugenia Hutton, Sarah Hilton, Antonia Howard, Zoe Huijer, Loreto Kirribilli
This colourful video explains what radiation is.
Alexander Jaeger, Mornington Secondary College
Why is it so difficult to predict the weather?