The UNSW Bragg Student Prize for science writing page 1

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Writing

TEACHER’S NOTES

The UNSW Bragg Student

Prize for

The UNSW Bragg Student Prize for science writing page 2

Information for teachersThe Bragg Student Prize is designed to encourage and celebrate the next generation of science writers, researchers and leaders. For an aspiring university Dean of Science or Walkley Award-winning journalist, this could be the first entry on their CV.

The Bragg Prizes are named for Australia’s very first Nobel Laureates, the father-and-son team of William Henry Bragg and William Lawrence Bragg. The year 2015 marks the centenary of their Nobel Prize win in Physics for their work on the X-ray analysis of crystal structures. William Henry Bragg was a firm believer in making science popular among young people, and his lectures for students were described as models of clarity and intellectual excitement.

The UNSW Bragg Student Prize for Science Writing extends upon the successful Best Australian Writing series and Bragg Science Writing Prize for adults. It offers English, Maths, Design, Social studies, IT and Science students the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and interest in writing and experimentation.

All schools that enter the prize will receive a FREE copy of the 2015 Best Australian Science Writing book for their library. Additional copies and previous issues can be ordered here: www.newsouthbooks.com.au

The topicDo you have a favourite science YouTube video or class experiment? Or have you been inspired by a great moment in science history? Perhaps you just recently heard about a weird or ‘eureka moment’ science experiment that you thought was mind blowing. If so we want to hear about it. Tell us why you think your chosen experiment is so amazing and what impact it could have, or has had, on society.

Why mind-blowing experiments?Experimenting is relevant across ALL disciplines. From the very beginnings of history, experimentation has provided our curious minds with the tools we need to develop and test our ideas, structure our society and invent technology.

Essays might address an important experiment in history, a myth-busting feat on YouTube or TV, or something undertaken in the classroom or home-brewed in a basement.

The following activities help students brainstorm and clarify their own ideas about mind-blowing experiments. You can use this resource in class, and also direct students to resources on the competition website with tips and tricks for science writing and ideas on experiments and science research from today, tomorrow and yesterday.

www.refractionmedia.com.au/studentscienceprize

About the competitionThe winner will be awarded $500 and an invitation to the launch of The Best Australian Science Writing 2015 in Sydney in early November. The launch will be a great opportunity for the winning student to meet and engage with our country’s finest minds in scientific research and science journalism.

The winning entry will be published in Cosmos Magazine’s online blog, the CSIRO’s Double Helix magazine, and on newsouthpublishing.com. Travel and accommodation expenses will be covered for the winner and an accompanying parent or guardian. Two runners-up will each receive $250. They will also be invited to the launch of the Best Australian Science Writing 2015.

Entries will be assessed by a panel of judges comprised of: Kathy Bail, Chief Executive of UNSW Press; Heather Catchpole, Creative Director of Refraction Media; Bianca Nogrady, Editor of The Best Australian Science Writing 2015; and Deborah Smith, Media Officer in the UNSW Faculty of Science and former Science Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald.

For any queries regarding the Prize, please email info@refractionmedia.com.au.

The UNSW Bragg Student Prize for science writing page 3

1. Use the following mind map template to collect some ideas about scientific discoveries you have learnt about in class or during your own personal learning. If you are stuck for ideas, use magazines, journals, books, internet videos or TV.

2. A few examples have been provided to get you started. Feel free to add in any other categories you wish.

3. Highlight the discoveries you would like to learn more about. These are the ‘finalist’ ideas.

4. Choose one idea that you think you could research and write about.

Activity 1 - Ideas brainstorm (FOR FINDING AN INTERESTING SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENT)

Amazing science

investigation or

experiment

Levitation video: bit.ly/1FDFzKa

Videos AND TV

Recent discoveries

ARTIFICIAL LIFE

Classroom experiments

ELEPHANTS TOOTHPASTE

Historical discoveries

DISCOVERY OF VACCINES

The UNSW Bragg Student Prize for science writing page 4

NAME AND TITLE OF EXPERIMENT

List the reference(s) (URL, book, journal, etc.)

Write a one-sentence summary of the experiment. How would you describe it to someone?

Why was the experiment conducted? What was the hypothesis, and/or why was there an interest in it?

Description of the experimental method. What was changed (independent variable)? What was measured (dependent variable)?

What were the results and what did they show?

Describe as many reasons as you can why you like the experiment.

What is particularly interesting about the experiment?

What have we learnt from this experiment? What new knowledge came into existence as a result of the experiment?

How has the experiment changed your life? Think of some direct and indirect consequences, and describe them.

What impact has the experiment had on society? List as many examples as you can, and explain each one.

What impact(s) might the experiment have in the future? List as many ideas as you can, and explain each one.

Describe any interesting facts you discovered while thinking about and researching the experiment.

What further empirical questions does the experiment raise?

What philosophical questions can be asked in regard to the experiment?

Activity 2 - Favourite Experiment Proforma (TO BE FILLED OUT WITH AS MUCH DETAIL AS POSSIBLE)