Sunflower Competition Rules

UQ Sunflower Competition 2012 Rules

Aim

The aim of the Sunflower Competition is to grow the heaviest sunflower including the plant and to engage students in the scientific concepts surrounding plant science.
Participants have several options available to them. They include:

  1. Grow sunflowers only at their school as part of their curriculum (for students unable to come to the weigh-in day)
  2. Grow and bring their sunflowers to the Gatton Campus and enter the competition for the heaviest sunflower plant including the flower.
  3. Grow sunflowers and create a poster and journal and bring all to the competition day.
  4. Submit poster and journal only (for students unable to come to the weigh-in day).

Important dates

Competition opens: 1 December 2011
Registrations close: 14 February 2012
Planting Date: 28 February 2012
Weigh in Day: 22 May 2012
Final date for submission of poster/journal presentation: 29 May 2012

Categories and Prizes

Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:

Heaviest Sunflower

Grades 8-10                1st - $150        2nd - $100       3rd - $50
Grades 11-12               1st - $150       2nd - $100       3rd - $50
Overall Grand Champion - Heaviest Recorded Sunflower - $250

Best Poster Presentation with Reflective Journal

Years 8-9         1st $150           2nd $100           3rd $50
Year 10            1st $150           2nd $100           3rd $50
Years 11-12     1st $150           2nd $100           3rd $50

New to 2012   Poster Competition

This year we are inviting students to submit a poster presentation along with a reflective journal to document their experiences and the science behind growing their sunflowers.

This allows those students who cannot physically participate in the weigh-in day the opportunity to also compete for a prize.

With the students’ permission, winning entries will be submitted into the Queensland Science Contest. http://www.staq.qld.edu.au

The due date for submissions will be the 29 May 2012. Please refer to the criteria below for entry requirements.

Reflective Journal

The Reflective journal should be an effective story about the students’ experience with their project and demonstrate the quality of their thinking and thought processes. It should adequately describe their scientific journey from the planning stage through to the final result and record their hypothesis, observations and conclusions on the growth of their sunflowers.

Poster

  • Poster - Two dimensional and no larger than A2 size (594cm x 420cm)
  • Does the Poster effectively demonstrate the scientific concepts behind plant growth?
  • Does the Poster effectively demonstrate the use of creativity and innovation?
  • Is the Poster easy to read, functional and have visual appeal?
    (To make sure your students' work complies with the conditions of entry outlined by the Queensland Science Contest please visit: http://www.staq.qld.edu.au

Posters can be forwarded by May 29th 2012:

Sunflower Competition Coordinator
School of Agriculture and Food Sciences
The University of Queensland
Gatton Campus
Gatton QLD 4343

Eligible contestants

The competition is open to all year 8-12 high school students within Australia.
Schools may enter a number of teams in each category and in all categories in which they are eligible. Teams may participate as a whole class or small teams within a class.
Teams entering a Poster with reflective journal must only contain a maximum of 3 members.

Seeds Kits

UQ will supply each entrant or team with a small quantity of seed of a selected variety (a Pacific Seeds hybrid).  Only this variety can be planted.  Planting is not to occur any earlier than 28th of February and must be supervised by a teacher. You will also receive a booklet with experiments that you can follow.
You will need to supply the following: 13.5 litre pot, potting mix, fertiliser, protective mask and watering can.
These seeds have been treated and are not fit for human consumption. Please ensure students wash hands after contact.

Pots

Pots must be 14 litres in volume. This rule is extremely important and any pot size larger will be disqualified and not eligible for weigh in.
Pots must not be placed directly on soil and should be placed on an impervious surface such as concrete or similar. The sunflower plant roots must not escape the pot. A plastic saucer may be used to avoid this. The plant is to be presented to the judges on the competition day in the original growing pot and medium it has been grown in.
The competition judges will harvest the plants for weighing.   

A suitable 300mm standard, 14 litre pot (P300) is available from Garden City Plastics                  

Growing Conditions

Each team or entrant is free to choose where and how the plant is grown within the limits of:

  • Pot size
  • Solid potting media
  • Competition rules

Each team or entrant needs to decide on a watering and fertilising regime which they believe maximises growth.

Hint: Plants will perform best in full sun but you may wish to compare growth of plants grown in shade for class interest. 
Our website has some handy FAQ’s to assist you through your sunflower growing journey.

Weigh-in Day

Weigh-in day will occur at Gatton Campus of The University of Queensland on the 22nd of May 2012.

Each team or entrant may submit up to 2 individual plants for weighing with only the heaviest being recorded for the team.

Plants need to be transported intact, in their original pot and growing medium to the weigh-in venue at the Gatton Campus of the University of Queensland.  http://www.uq.edu.au/maps/index.html?menu=2
If plants are tall they may need to be staked.

At the weigh-in, tops will be cut off at the cotyledonary node and placed in a previously tared garbage bag for weighing.

Note: All plants submitted to the competition will be scrutinised by the judges to ensure they meet the competition rules. The judges reserve the right to disqualify any plant or plants that have been grown contrary to the rules of the competition in the opinion of the judges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important points the judges will look at?

  • The plant has been grown in a solid medium and in the container that the plant has grown in from seed. The roots have not grown through the base of the pot and were cut off in order to bring the plant to the competition. The pot is of the correct size. We strongly suggest competitors use only a recommended pot if you are bringing your plants to the competition day.

What is the cotyledonary node?

  • This is the first node produced by the seedling when it germinates. It is the node where the cotyledons are.

What part of the plant is included in the weigh in?

  • All parts of the plant above the cotyledonary node are included. This includes the flower head, all leaves and stem.

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