We would like to congratulate Year 11 Ray Winson and 2020 graduate Alex Goldsmith for their selection as BHP Award semi-finalists.
The BHP Science and Engineering Awards recognise excellence in student research through a collaborative partnership between the CSIRO, BHP Foundation and the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA). Each year, they attract entries from the best student research projects around the country.
QAHS students undertake individual, self-directed research projects during their Year 10 program, the Internal Assessment (IA) and their Year 12 Extended Essay (EE). Only research projects which receive recognition at the Gold Coast Science Competition (GCSC) and Science Teachers Association of Queensland (STAQ) Awards, are eligible for entry into the BHP Science and Engineering Awards.
Ray is one of our first Year 10 students to reach the semi-finals in the field of engineering with his investigation of a "Gravity Assisted Vehicle Jack". He states "through my journey to the Semi-finals, I have learnt that innovation can lead to so many benefits to improve the world we live in." His design included 3 prototypes and he says "the first and second prototypes, they were the crucial steps and problems to be solved to get to the final prototype of my project." This affirms the importance of potential early failure in research to attain success.
Alex was a member of our foundation Higher Level Exercise Science cohort and our first student to reach the BHP semi-finals using his research in this field.
Congratulations to both students for their recognition among Australia's most promising young researchers in Science and Engineering.
Mr Paul Mitchell
HOD Science and Enrichment
