More than 30 budding scientists from high schools across the Sunshine Coast will demonstrate their investigative and research skills at the 2018 Science Research Awards at USC on Friday 17 August.

The event, from 4pm at USC’s Innovation Centre auditorium at Sippy Downs, is being run this year during National Science Week and will see science industry representatives, university academics and PhD students judging the school students’ research projects.

Contestants will display posters of their work and explain their projects to judges. And, if they choose, they can compete in a Three Minute to Win It category of the contest, which involves addressing an audience about their research.

Competition organiser Marina Fitzpatrick, who is USC’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) engagement officer, said a high standard was expected this year with the Year 11 and 12 students vying for a share of $1,000 in prizemoney.

“We’re really challenging our students this year to deliver posters of a tertiary-level standard and give them a taste of what will be expected of them at university,” she said.

Ms Fitzpatrick said representatives from Sunshine Coast Council, Gourmet Garden and the State Department of Agriculture and Fisheries would be among the judges.

“They will be looking for standout student investigations but also excellent communication skills in translating scientific language for a general audience,” she said.

- Michelle French