Nominations open for prestigious science awards

Nominations are now open for the 2010 Western Australian Science Awards.

The awards honour the outstanding and groundbreaking achievements of Western Australia’s science and innovation community and recognise the important role of science in Western Australia.

The 2010 Western Australian Science Awards categories are:

• Scientist of the Year $50,000
This award acknowledges an individual scientist who has demonstrated excellence in a field of science, science research or technological advancement in Western Australia over the past 10 years.

• Early Career Scientist of the Year $10,000
This award acknowledges an individual scientist who within the first 10 years of completing their highest degree has demonstrated excellence in a field of science, science research or technological advancement in Western Australia.

• Science Educator of the Year Primary $10,000
This award acknowledges an individual primary school science teacher across the government or non-government sector, who has demonstrated excellence in improving science teaching and learning outcomes for their students over the past five years in a Western Australian school.

• Science Educator of the Year Secondary $10,000
This award acknowledges an individual secondary school science teacher across the government or non-government sector, who has demonstrated excellence in improving science teaching and learning outcomes for their students over the past five years in a Western Australian school.

• Science Outreach Initiative of the Year $10,000
This award recognises an individual, group or organisation that has delivered an outstanding, innovative and ongoing science outreach initiative within the past year. The initiative must promote and encourage community understanding of science within Western Australia.

Nominations close Friday 30 July 2010 at 5.00 pm.

For more information visit www.commerce.wa.gov.au/scienceawards or call 9263 8227.