OSA Ambassador - Yesha

Get to know Yesha!

How did you first get involved in OSA?
Back in primary school, I often heard about the Oliphant Science Awards from friends at other schools. It was genuinely something that interested me, but unfortunately, my primary school did not participate, so I did not have the chance to be involved then.

That changed in Year 7! In 2024, through my high school, Glenunga International High School, I was finally given the opportunity to enter the OSA, and I was eager to make the most out of it. While I worked largely independently on my entries, I was fortunate to have supportive and encouraging teachers I could turn to whenever I needed feedback or guidance! 

Why do you participate?
I love participating because there is really nothing to lose during the process! I think of the OSA as an incentive to continue learning about the world around me and gain exposure to ideas I would not have otherwise encountered. It pushes me to stay curious and reminds me that learning doesn’t have to stop outside the classroom.

What advice would you give to other OSA entrants?
When ideating, don’t start with what you think will win, start with what bothers you. From my experience, the best entries often come from ideas that feel unresolved or slightly uncomfortable. 

While the majority of the process is very enjoyable, the moments of confusion and frustration are what shape the overall experience. Treat confusion as a good sign, because if everything makes sense immediately, you may not be challenging your thinking far enough! 

What is your favourite project that you have submitted?
Out of my 9 entries across 2024 & 2025, my favourite project would be my photography entry titled, ‘The Language of Colour in Nature’. While I wouldn’t say that this was my most outstanding entry, it was by far the one which boosted my confidence the most. 

As someone with no previous experience in photography, I learnt so much about angles, lighting and camera settings, all through trial and error!

I remember hopping on my bicycle after school with my camera, wandering through my local park in search of colourful things to photograph. It might sound cheesy, but it’s honestly a core memory! Along the way, I discovered the incredibly important role colour plays in the environment. More than that, it changed the way I see the world, revealing just how much there is to notice and appreciate in nature if you take the time to really look!