BHP Billiton today launched at the Museum of Tropical Queensland in Townsville its 22nd annual Science Awards for Students and Teachers.

The 2002 Awards were officially launched by The Hon Mike Reynolds MP, Minister for Emergency Services and Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland. Mr Reynolds kicked off the event in style, conducting a science experiment with dry ice and water.

Over 100 local school students helped celebrate the launch and participated in a variety of scientific games and experiments with Awards' mascot  'Sparky'. The event also featured a question and answer session with special guest, 2001 Finalist Hayley Messenger.

Hayley is a former Townsville resident and is now attending university in Brisbane. Her project examined the tolerance of certain types of bacteria to salinity.

The BHP Billiton Science Awards, which are managed in conjunction with the CSIRO, and supported by Qantas airways, are regarded as Australia's most prestigious science awards for students and teachers.

Since the launch of the first Awards in 1981, more than 20,000 students and teachers have submitted projects ranging from studying black holes and the health of urban waterways, to identifying dustmite predators and recycling sewerage sludge.

BHP Billiton CEO and Managing Director Paul Anderson said the Group was proud to have been associated with the Science Awards over the past two decades.

"While BHP Billiton is a new organisation, we have been involved with the Science Awards for over 20 years. During this time we have seen thousands of brilliant projects that have contributed to improved understanding of issues spanning the environment to outer space," he said.

"The support and development of young minds is vitally important in ensuring Australia’s continued global competitiveness. Initiatives such as the Science Awards play a key role in this development and benefit the wider community as a whole."

BHP Billiton Science Student Awards
Four winners are selected from 16 finalists in the BHP Billiton Science Student Awards, with each of the winners receiving $1000, a commemorative plaque and a three-day trip to the BHP Billiton Science Camp near Melbourne.

The remaining 12 finalists each receive $100, a certificate of excellence and attendance at the BHP Billiton Science Camp.

BHP Billiton Science Teachers Awards
The BHP Billiton Science Teachers Awards are open to both primary and secondary school teachers, with an overall winner chosen from each area.  Both winners receive $5000, a commemorative plaque and a trip to the presentation day.

Four highly commended awards of $500, and 10 merit awards of $100 will also be awarded to teachers.

BHP Billiton School of the Year Award
The BHP Billiton School of the Year Award will be presented to the school recording the highest number of prize-winning entries. The winning school will receive $2000 and a commemorative plaque.

Entries for the 2002 competition close on Friday 5 July with the winners to be announced in Melbourne in early October.                                                  

Further information can be found at: http://scienceawards.bhpbilliton.com

Background information (pdf 130KB)

Contact:

Michael Buzzard
BHP Billiton
Ph: (61 3 ) 9609 3709
Mob: (61 3) 0417 914 103
E-mail: Michael.Buzzard@bhpbilliton.com