This young brainiac knows her science.
Year 8 Keilor Downs College student Tharudini Dandeniya was celebrating last week as equal-top scorer in an international Big Science competition.
More than 49,000 students at 660 secondary schools across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Iran and Switzerland – including 96 Keilor Downs College students – took part earlier this year in the one-hour competition, which tested students on their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
With questions about herbal treatments, saltwater, greenhouses and airconditioning, the competition used everyday examples to test competitors’ science skills.
Tharudini was one of 14 students in the years 7 and 8 category to achieve the perfect score of 30.
Another four Keilor Downs College students – Katherine Tsibouriasis, Andre Hasoon, Emille Enriquez and Caleb Fitzgerald – received high distinctions.
Tharudini, 14, said she had received a distinction in last year’s test and was thrilled to be named a top scorer.
“There were a couple of questions I was unsure of,” she said.
“I was excited; I really felt that I’d achieved something.”
Tharudini said she would love to work as a scientist after she graduates, but she hasn’t decided which branch of science to pursue.
Keilor Downs College principal Stuart Andrews said students at the school generally performed well in the annual Big Science competition but it was rare to have a top scorer in their midst.
“It’s an amazing achievement,” Mr Andrews said.
