Posted: 17 August 2005
Algal growth study earns student $1000 NRC Science Fair Award
A 17-year-old Parua Bay student’s studies of fish tank algal growth have earned her this year’s Northland Regional Council ‘Consistent Excellence Award’ at the Central Northland Science and Technology Fair.
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Kylie Cox - winner of the Regional Council’s ‘Consistent Excellence Award 2005’ and NRC Chairman Mark Farnsworth.
Whangarei Girls High School student Kylie Cox is one of more than 150 students from 16 schools around the wider Whangarei District competing at the New Zealand Refining Company-sponsored fair – now in its 27th year.
The five-day event at Forum North in Whangarei ends on Friday (19 August) and is organised by Central Northland science teachers.
Kylie’s award-winning effort “Nemo and the algae” centres on her studies of the optimum lighting levels needed for algal growth in fish tanks.
Her research was based on the premise that fish tanks require enough lighting to ensure there is sufficient algae for fish to eat, but not so much that the tanks require too much cleaning.
The Regional Council prize contributes $1000 towards the cost of her university studies and must be used within three years.
Kylie - a Year 13 (seventh form) student - hopes to use her award to study science or medicine at Otago University next year.
Regional Council Chairman Mark Farnsworth says the Council is keen to encourage good science and supports young Northlanders going on to tertiary education.
“Kylie has been a consistent entrant and winner in the science fair for the past five years. Council’s ‘Consistent Excellence Award’ is a great way of demonstrating our support for students like her as well as encouraging young people’s interest in potential careers in the scientific field.”
Meanwhile, as well as the NRC award, Kylie’s efforts also earned her the show’s Statistical Award from Statistics New Zealand. She also won an award for the best scientific investigation work in her age group.