OSA Ambassador - Aurora

Get to know Aurora!

How did you first get involved in OSA?
I began competing in the Oliphant Science Awards last year when I was in year 9 (2024). I have always been fascinated by science, so after hearing about another student's experiences with OSA, my parents encouraged me to register. With my science teachers' direction, I chose to enter the models and inventions category and created a model that showcased the basic properties of a black hole. I enjoyed the whole process, from brainstorming to building. Although it was challenging and frustrating at times, I was extremely proud of the final product.

Why do you participate?
I participate in the Oliphant Science Awards because it allows me to challenge my critical thinking skills and apply a hands-on approach to my learning. Through OSA, I can extend my curiosity further than the classroom and build on my knowledge through each category and topic. Creating these projects teaches important skills such as time management, dealing with setbacks, adaptability and teamwork, as well as giving students a way to express their passion for science. Participating in the Oliphant Science Awards has opened my eyes to what a career in STEM could be like and provides opportunities for future growth and achievement.

What advice would you give to other OSA entrants?
My advice to other entrants would be to choose a topic that you are passionate about and learn all there is to know about it. If you genuinely enjoy what you’re doing, your project will practically complete itself. To make your entry stand out, consider finding a new idea or a fresh interpretation of the topic - think outside of the box. Also, don't be afraid of a challenge; you would be surprised at what you can achieve if you put your mind to it. Most importantly, be flexible and open-minded. Sometimes the best-laid plans can fall apart, but I found that the solutions to these issues ended up being much better for the final product than my first ideas.

What is your favourite project that you have submitted?
My favourite project I have created was my model showcasing the elements of a black hole, titled “The Event Horizon”. For this model, I began by brainstorming an idea for my project. As I have been interested in space and the cosmos for a long time, I wanted to do a project that explained an astronomical phenomenon in a simple way. I finally decided to do a model black hole that showed the warping of gravity and the action of a star being sucked into a black hole. During the construction stage, I had to change my first design quite a few times. I faced challenges such as having to create my own funnel by combining 2 separate pots, and finding the perfect length and angle for the chutes so the ball was released at the right speed and trajectory. My favourite part was seeing the final piece come together. I am really proud of my final product and what I managed to achieve in my first year participating in the Oliphant Science Awards. I hope to continue to grow my skills in future years and look forward to creating another fun interactive model again this year.