Sunflower Competition 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: 30 November 2012
Registrations close: 14 February 2013
Planting Date: 26 February 2013
Weigh in Day: 21 May 2013

Final date for submission of poster/journal presentation: 16 May 2013. We would like to display them at the official Weigh in Day

Categories and Prizes

Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:

Heaviest Sunflower

Grades 8-10                1st - $100        2nd - $75       3rd - $50
Grades 11-12              1st - $100       2nd - $75       3rd - $50

Overall Grand Champion - Heaviest Recorded Sunflower - $150

Best Poster Presentation with Reflective Journal

Years 8-10                 1st $100           2nd $75           3rd $50
Years 11-12               1st $100           2nd $75           3rd $50

Tallest Sunflower      $100

Best Ornamental Sunflower   $100

Encouragement Awards 2 x $50

Tallest sunflower, most ornamental sunflower and the encouragement awards will be presented based upon the discretion of the judges.

Poster and Reflective Journal Competition

We are again 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 16 May 2013. 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 16th 2013:

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.
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 26th 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: No larger than a 14 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 no larger than 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, 13.5/14 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 21st of May 2013.

Each team within a school may submit 1 plant for judging in either middle or senior school categories.

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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