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Think Science! A Nationwide Science Event

Think Science! Bringing science skills together.

Think Science! is back for 2024.  A free, nationwide science competition for primary and secondary school students in Years 3 to 10, Think Science! encourages students to perform an investigation using the Science Inquiry skills from the Australian Curriculum and document their process and findings in a video.  Over $10,000 in prizes are on offer for winning schools and students. 

What is Think Science!?

At ANSTO, we believe science is for everyone! Think Science! is suitable for students of all levels and abilities. This teams-based competition encourages an interactive learning environment that provides insights into how scientists work. Teachers will be supported with resources to assist with incorporating investigations and the Science Inquiry skills into class lessons. Most importantly, we aim to make science fun.

Think Science! asks students, in small teams of 2 - 4 individuals, to conduct a first-hand science investigation on a topic of their choosing. Students will document how they followed all steps of the Science Inquiry strand of the Australian Curriculum.

Teams will submit a short video, 3 - 4 minutes long for primary students and 4 - 5 minutes long for secondary students, to ANSTO, which summarises and showcases their investigation and science inquiry skills. Communication is an important science skill, and the video that teams create will play a major part in their success in Think Science! 2024.

The competition is flexible. Any science topic can be chosen, including content being taught in classes, and provides an opportunity to include digital technology skills. No special equipment or materials are required. Schools from any State or Territory across Australia are invited to join in.

There are four categories for entry, each with great prizes:  Years 3/4, Years 5/6, Years 7/8 and Years 9/10. Additional prizes for schools in regional and remote areas are also offered.

Our winners for 2023 can be viewed here.  2023 winners

Think Science logo

Why participate?

All students must learn Science Inquiry skills as part of the Australian Curriculum. Think Science! enables students to engage with science content and practice skills in an enjoyable and creative way. 

Any Australian student in Years 3 to 10 can participate as a part of a small team and be in the running for great prizes for their school.

Would you like to be a part of Think Science!? 

Who can enter

School students in Years 3 to 10 from all States/Territories of Australia can enter Think Science!

Classes or student teams must be registered by a teacher.

If you are an individual student, tell your teacher about this event and ask them to register you and your team of 2 to 4 people.

Homeschool teams are welcome to register for Think Science! Homeschool entries will be eligible for student prizes.

Important Dates

Competition opens: Monday 25th March 2024

Closing date for submission of entries: Friday 16th August 2024

Winners announced: Monday 16th September 2024

Register for 2024

Would you like to be part of Think Science! in 2024? Register your school to receive information and updates.

Register your school 

How to Enter & Terms/Conditions

Teachers must register themselves and their class to participate and must read the Terms and Conditions carefully before registering.

Registered teachers may submit entries from three student teams per class and are encouraged to submit entries early to allow for any technical difficulties.

Think Science 2024 Entry Form

Think Science! Terms and Conditions 2024 (PDF, 213.85 KB)

 

Prizes

ANSTO is awarding over $10,000 in prizes. There are student prizes for the winning teams and medals for place getters. Winning schools can choose any science education resources to the listed value.

Think Science! prizes 2024 (PDF, 510.61 KB)

Judging

All entries will be judged by experienced science educators at ANSTO. Every entry will be judged by at least two educators independently, to determine finalists. Finalists will progress to an additional round of judging with an expert panel.

Think Science Judging Rubric for Years 3-6, 2024 (PDF, 208.09 KB)

Think Science Judging Rubric for Years 7-10, 2024 (PDF, 619.43 KB)

We have provided the checklist below to assist with making sure your video meets the judging requirements. Print off the checklist, watch your video (you may like to do this with other friends, family or classmates) and tick off all the steps that your video has included. Are there any steps missing? You may like to redo your video before submitting it, to make sure it is amazing and just what the judges are looking for!

Think Science! Video Checklist for Years 3-6 (PDF, 338.14 KB)

Think Science! Video Checklist for Years 7-10 (PDF, 825.48 KB)

 

Tips & Supporting Resources

All student teams must complete a Logbook during their investigation. This must be retained at the school and a pdf copy made available if requested. Student Logbooks below can be used for this purpose if needed.

We recommend that you read the “Tips & Tricks” below and information on suitable software to use for presentations. These resources are designed to help teachers to incorporate Think Science! into their classes.

Think Science! 2024 Student Logbook Years 3 - 6 (PDF, 833.1 KB)

Think Science! 2024 Student Logbook Years 7 - 10 (PDF, 1.17 MB)

Think Science! Tips and Tricks (PDF, 209.25 KB)

Think Science! 2024 How to make a video

Think Science! 2024 Video Storyboard Planning (PDF, 251.47 KB)

Think Science! Topic examples for Years 3 - 6 (PDF, 165.65 KB)

Online Information Sessions

Would you like to know more about Think Science?  We will be holding an online Think Science! information session for teachers on Monday May 6th. 

Think Science Information Session Registration

Also available in 2024 is a NEW free online Think Science! incursion for teachers and students. During the 30 - 45 minute session, our experienced educators will teach science skills to your class, using a simple activity that all ages can do. After completing the session, your students should be able to identify the science skills they need for their Think Science! project.

 

 

Participation Map

Explore registered schools on our map! We will also keep registered teachers up to date with useful information.

 

 

Do you have a question?

Don't hesitate to contact the ANSTO Think Science! Team if you have any questions about the Think Science! event.

The ANSTO Think Science! Team 

Program Creator and LeaderProgram Creator and CoordinatorSecondary Education AdvisorSecondary Education Advisor
Stephanie McCready BAppSc (Hons) PhDKim Whitbread BSc BA Dip TeachJulie Mulholland BSc (Hons) Dip EdSarah Tyler BSc Dip Ed