People’s Choice voting has opened for the Cochlear Aurora Photo Contest, ahead of an awards ceremony on 2 December where winners of this year’s competition will be announced.
The competition is an initiative of Flinders University’s STEM: Women Branching Out group and aims to inspire girls to delve into the wonders of science and ultimately consider futures in its disciplines. Now in its fifth year, the annual science photography contest was opened to year seven students for the first time in 2020.
A total prize pool of $4,200 is being awarded across junior and senior categories (years seven through to 10, and years 11 and 12), including $150 for each People’s Choice winner.
Cast your vote
Voting for the People’s Choice Awards will take place via Facebook on the STEM Women Branching Out page at this link: https://www.facebook.com/FlindersSTEMWomen/
To cast a vote, simply comment on your preferred photo, briefly noting why you like that entry. The photo with the most comments will win the People’s Choice Award for each category.
Staff are also encouraged to share the link with friends, family and colleagues to help maximise votes and broad community participation in determining the best images.
Record entries
Associate Professor Maria Parappilly says a record-breaking number of entries were received this year from Regional SA, including high-quality submissions from students at public, private and independent schools across all demographics. Entries have come in from students as far afield as Wudinna, Mount Gambier, Kadina, the Riverland, Naracoorte and Balaklava.
“It’s great that this competition is not limited to students with easier access to resources but is engaging girls broadly, which is what we are looking for,” Associate Professor Parappilly says.
“We are really pleased with the quality of the entries this year, there were some very creative entries in both the junior and senior categories.”
Professor Karen Burke da Silva, Dean of Education in Flinders University’s College of Science and Engineering and a judge in the competition, commented that she had noticed more entries this year with a conservation or biological theme, “perhaps reflecting a greater awareness following last summer’s bushfires.”
Voting for the People’s Choice Award will close at 9am on Monday 30 November 2020.