Finalists in our Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize
This year, students were given the theme of 'water' to make their 90 second films on, communicating scientific concepts in accessible and engaging ways.
For their insightful, creative and amusing takes on the science of water, six finalists and 16 highly commended award winners have been anounced today in our University of Sydney Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prizes.
The prizes are named after the Sleek Geeks - Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, Julius Sumner Miller Fellow at the University of Sydney, and Adam Spencer, Mathematics and Science Ambassador at the University of Sydney.
All six finalists will find out which prize they have won on 24 November in the online Eureka Prizes ceremony.
Primary school finalists
Scarlett P and Scarlett O, from Oak Flats Primary School, NSW
Super Cooled Science examines how water turns into ice and explains ‘supercooling’, the process of chilling a liquid below its freezing point, without it becoming solid. Using claymation and dance, Scarlett and Scarlett illustrate the role that energy plays in this transformation and describe one of the ways supercooled water is being used by scientists.
Clara P, from Maribyrnong Primary School, ACT
Have you ever wondered why some bugs can walk on water? In Stretching the Tension, Clara explores the role of surface tension, revealing how water acts like an elastic membrane that stretches when forces are applied to it — just like a trampoline.
Levi S, from Norwood Primary School, Tas
The Leidenfrost Effect investigates what occurs when a liquid heated past its boiling point doesn’t evaporate, but instead glides across the surface it’s resting on. Levi demonstrates this effect using water droplets in a hot pan and shares a series of diagrams to explain what takes place at a molecular level.
High school finalists
Aneirin G, from St Leonard's College, Vic
Synovial Fluid and Subatomic Particles is an investigation into how quantum effects in water help our joints move. Taking to his local sports field, Aneirin explains the important role of synovial fluid in the human body and reveals how recent scientific discoveries have transformed scientists’ understanding of how this fluid behaves.
Himalaya J, from Balwyn High School, Vic
Look at your windowpane on a rainy day and you’ll almost certainly see tiny water droplets move closer together until they merge. In The Secret Life of Droplets, Himalaya uses a lively combination of song and animation to explain the science behind this phenomenon.
Jessica N, and Zacharie N, from St Matthews Catholic School, NSW
In Rebellious Water, Jessica and Zacharie examine why water seemingly defies the rules of chemistry. They use animation to illustrate the forces at play between water molecules, known as hydrogen bonds, and describe how this impacts the physical properties of water in its different states.
Highly Commended - primary school
- Awesome Aquaponics, Romaine B. and Holly L., Presbyterian Ladies' College, NSW
- Off A Duck's Back, Griffin C., St Peters Lutheran College, Qld
- How Water Bends Light, Daniel C. and Alexander D., Strathfield North Public School, NSW
- Evaporation, Joseph D., Ardross Primary School, WA
- Soap vs. Germs, Elena G., St Mary's Catholic Primary School, WA
- Testing Water Density, Felix H., home-schooled, Qld
- Water Wrongs to the Dugongs, Kitty L. and Tyler S., Presbyterian Ladies' College, NSW
- Diving into Convection, Neomi V., Abbotsleigh, NSW
Highly Commended - high school
- Water for Drinking: Flocculation, Kai C., Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School, NSW
- Nice to Meat You, Juliette C. and Lucy C., Presbyterian Ladies' College, NSW
- Drinking from The Sun, Jonathan D., Townsville Grammar School, Qld
- Hydrogen Highway - Clean Fuel from Water, Emma D., Warrandyte High School, Vic
- Water Bending, Keano H., Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School, NSW
- Water’s Polarity, Bhoomini J., Charlotte L. and Anaya M., Brisbane State High School, Qld
- Will Nemo Survive the Increasing Sea Temperatures? Hannah K., Jasmine N., and Eva P., Centenary State High School, Qld
- The Baffling Mpemba Effect, Ava L., Oxley College, NSW