2017 Australian Cancer and Health Sciences Competition (ACHSC)

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Following the tremendous success of last year's competition, we are incredibly excited to announce that the Australian Cancer and Health Sciences Competition (ACHSC) will be back this year, bigger and better than ever!

Introduction

The Australian Cancer and Health Sciences Competition (ACHSC) is Victoria's first cancer competition for high school students. Established in 2015, the ACHSC aims to create a platform for students to learn about the intricacies of a disease that is likely to affect each and every one of them at some point in their lives, and gain critical insight into the awe-inspiring world of cancer research.

The ACHSC is currently supported by:

• Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC)
• Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI)
• Cancer Council Victoria (CCV)
• Newman College
• Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (Peter Mac)

Competition Details

In 2017, the competition will be held on Monday, 7 August at the Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC) from 9.00 AM to 2.45 PM. On the day, students will be invited to sit a short examination to assess their understanding of the ACHSC Syllabus, which is available online at https://syllabus.achsc.org.au/. In addition, students will have the opportunity to hear from a number of internationally renowned cancer researchers, including Professor Andrew Roberts (Metcalf Chair of Leukaemia Research) and Professor David Vaux (Associate Director of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute), learn about what it is like to live with cancer from patients, network with Honours students, PhD students, and postdoctoral fellows from the Parkville precinct, and go on tours of the laboratories at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute.

The program for the day is as follows:



Prizes

The student who obtains the top mark in the short examination administered on the day will be offered an internship at one of our partner organisations. All students will receive a signed certificate of participation.

Preparation

The competition will take the form of an exam paper, containing a mixture of multiple choice and short answer questions, designed to assess students' understanding of the ACHSC Syllabus, which is available online at: https://syllabus.achsc.org.au/. Students are strongly encouraged to study the ACHSC Syllabus in the lead up to the competition so as to ensure that they get the most of the day.

For more information, please download the ACHSC Student Information Pack: http://www.achsc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/2017-Student-Information-Pack.pdf.

Registration

Students interested in participating in the competition this year must register through their high school science teachers. The competition is directed at year 10 students. Each school can register a maximum of 5 students plus an extra 5 Indigenous students. The registration fee per school, regardless of student number, is $50.00. Rural schools (i.e. schools located in a Statistical Area Level 1) are exempt from the registration fee.

To register, teachers are asked to follow the steps below:

1. Nominate a maximum of 5 students plus an extra 5 Indigenous students if applicable. Students should be chosen on the basis of interest and academic merit.
2. Fill out the ACHSC Registration Form: http://www.achsc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2017-Registration-Form.pdf. Only one registration form needs to be filled out. The registration form should include the names of all nominated students.
3. Sign the ACHSC Media and Release Form: http://www.achsc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2017-Media-Release-Form.pdf. A separate media and release form needs to be signed by each nominated student, and then countersigned by a parent or guardian. The teacher accompanying the nominated students on the day must also sign a media and release form.
4. Read the ACHSC Terms and Conditions: http://www.achsc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2017-Terms-and-Conditions.pdf. The terms and conditions should be read by each nominated student and the teacher accompanying the nominated students on the day.
5. Scan and email the completed ACHSC Registration Form and signed ACHSC Media and Release Forms to [email protected]. An invoice will be sent within 2 business days to the email address supplied by the teacher. The ACHSC Directors recommend that the invoice be forwarded to the school's accounting department.
6. Pay the invoice within 5 business days of receipt. Registration is not complete until payment is received.

For further information, please download the ACHSC Teacher Information Pack: http://www.achsc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2017-Teacher-Information-Pack.pdf.

Registration close at 5.00 PM on Friday, 28 July 2017.

Contact Us

Website: http://www.achsc.org.au
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cancercompetition/?fref=ts&ref=br_tf
Twitter: https://twitter.com/auscancercomp
Events Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1015268208609118/?active_tab=about