WA students' efforts in Rio Tinto Science Olympiads contest commended

3/12/97

Deputy Premier Hendy Cowan has commended the efforts of Western Australian students in a major national science competition.

Mr Cowan said that WA's first three placegetters in both the chemistry and physics sections of the Rio Tinto Science Olympiads had qualified to enter the next phase of their quest to represent Australia in the International Science Olympiads next year.

"These competitions are seen as being the Olympic Games of science," he said.

"They are a wonderful opportunity for Australia to demonstrate that it has considerable academic prowess as well as sporting ability.

"For the students involved it is a testing exercise of the mind," said Mr Cowan, who has ministerial responsibility for science and technology development.

Progress through to the national trials, or 'Scholar' status, was not guaranteed for state placegetters.

"Only 20 students from across Australia can qualify in the physics, chemistry and biology categories, with success being determined by aggregate marks rather than state placings," Mr Cowan said.

"So, on a per capita basis, WA has performed better than average among the States in physics and chemistry. That is a splendid effort."

Mr Cowan also congratulated the 59 WA students participating in the biology section of the competition.

He said that science offered some truly exciting career options but was sometimes regarded as unfashionable by today's students.

"The State Government, through its new Science and Technology Policy, encourages students to seriously consider careers in science," the Minister said.

"Rio Tinto is to be congratulated on its commitment to stimulating scientific interest in young minds.

"The company shares this Government's goal of fostering a positive and high profile image of science and scientists."

Rio Tinto Australian Science Olympiads spokesman Andrew Walter said more than 3,600 students entered this year's qualifying examinations, with 333 coming from WA.

National Scholars undertake programs of accelerated learning which involve distance tutorials and assignments along with a two-week residential training school during summer at an Australian university.

Next year's International Science Olympiads will be held in three different overseas locations --- Reykjavik, Iceland (physics); Melbourne (chemistry) and Kiel, Germany (biology).

The State award winners are:  

·         PHYSICS

Gold: Hsien-wern Chan, of Dalkeith (Christ Church Grammar).

Silver: Michael Molinari, of Katanning (Christ Church Grammar).

Bronze: Raymond Sheh, of Bateman (All Saints' College).

·         CHEMISTRY

Gold: Timothy Clay, of Dalkeith (Hale School).

Silver: Benjamin Spagnolo, of Mt Lawley (Hale School).

Bronze: Aaron Wyatt, of Craigie (Duncraig SHS).

·         BIOLOGY

Gold: Natalie Fair, of Exmouth (School of Isolated and Distance Education).

Silver: David Prangnell, of Kelmscott (John Wollaston Anglican Community School).

Bronze: Cameron Sullivan, of Darlington (Guildford Grammar).

Media contacts: Peter Jackson 9222-9595

Andrew Walter (Rio Tinto Science Olympiads Co-ordinator) 019-446-760 or 02-6246-5367