We are incredibly proud of the students across our three campuses who represented our school in this year’s Oliphant Science Awards. The Oliphant Science Awards give students the chance to shine outside the classroom and to see how science connects with the real world. It encourages problem solving, critical thinking and creativity—skills that are so important in today’s world. This year there was a new record of 3,092 projects registered and over 2,000 projects delivered to the Adelaide Showgrounds for judging ahead of Science Alive! The awards celebrate the curiosity and scientific thinking of young people across South Australia—and our students truly rose to the challenge. Throughout the process, students became young scientists—asking big questions, testing their ideas, experimenting, observing and carefully documenting their learning. Their projects reflected real passion and effort, and we were so impressed by their originality and persistence.
This year, our entries included growing crystals, designing and building board games, creating apps, photography and more. Each student showed a strong commitment to exploring science in meaningful and imaginative ways.
We also recognise our families who have supported their children through this complex process. Concordia College has again achieved a set of incredible results through the judging process. Students achieved nine prize winning entries (1st, 2nd or 3rd place in their age category) and five Highly Commended entries.
Prize winners are listed below (placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd)—exact placings will be announced at the Awards night on 17 October.
- R–2: Programming, Apps and Robotics, Luke 1OL (St Peters Campus) The irrigation bot
- R–2: Programming, Apps and Robotics, Charlotte 2BM (St John’s Campus) A robot to look underwater
- R–2: Scientific Inquiry, Darcy 2/3KW (St Peters Campus) Rock Tumbling
- R–2: Posters, Leah 2BM (St John’s Campus) Tiny patterns, big jobs
- Year 3–4: Science Writing, Kelly 3TS (St John’s Campus) How plants and animals communicate
- Year 3–4: Photography, Jayden 3TS (St John’s Campus) Magical fungi
- Year 5–6: Models and inventions, Xavier 5EH (St John’s Campus) Wind Powered Strandbeest
- Year 9/10: Programming, Apps and Robotics, Oliver 10BWHA (Concordia Campus) Sci-Roots: Learn scientific root words
- Year 11/12: Multimedia (Winner), Laura 11RGOG (Concordia Campus) Secrets of your senses: the nervous system
Highly Commended
- R-2: Multimedia, George 1JL (St John’s Campus) Volcanoes
- R–2: Games, Darcy 2BM (St John’s Campus) Weather Round
- Year 3–4: Photography, Jane 4MR (St John's Campus) Patterns in nature - uncovering hidden designs
- Year 3–4: Games, Jayden 3TS (St John’s Campus) Recycling Game
- Year 7-8: Models and Inventions, Benjamin 8DGAL and Oliver 8DGAL (Concordia Campus) Cellular level of newt regeneration
Special thanks to the staff team who supported this valuable learning experience: Trevor Burmeister, Rachel Saunders, Adriana Weling and Emma Rieger.
Congratulations to all our student participants! Your hard work, enthusiasm and love of learning are inspiring. Thank you for representing our school community with such confidence, curiosity and care.
Adriana Weling
STEM Teacher – St John's Campus
Rachel Saunders
Upper Primary Leader – St John's Campus
Nicolle Jakube
Primary School Learning Leader – St Peters Campus
Emma Rieger
Enrichment and Extended Learning – Concordia Campus
