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Think Science! A Nationwide Science Event

Think Science! A Nationwide Science Event

Think Science! has finished for 2023 but will be back again in 2024 with more great prizes for schools to win. Congratulations and thank you to all of the schools and students who participated this year. We enjoyed judging your entries on a wide range of topics.

Our winners for 2023 can be viewed here. 2023 Think Science! winners.

New in 2023, Think Science! is 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 format.  Over $10,000 in prizes are on offer for winning schools and students. 

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.

What is Think Science!?

Think Science! encourages 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 and submit a short video, up to 3 minutes for primary students and 4 minutes for secondary students, to ANSTO which summarises their investigation.

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.

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

Registration opens: Monday 20th March 2023

Closing date for registrations: Friday 21st July 2023

Closing date for submission of entries: Friday 18th August 2023

Winners announced: Monday 18th September 2023

EOI for 2024

Would you like to be part of Think Science! in 2024?

Expression of Interest 2024

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! Terms and Conditions 2023 (PDF, 201.91 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 (PDF, 510.59 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! Year 3/4 Judging Rubric (PDF, 203.66 KB)

Think Science! Year 5/6 Judging Rubric (PDF, 199.66 KB)

Think Science! Year 7/8 Judging Rubric (PDF, 203.79 KB) 

Think Science! Year 9/10 Judging Rubric (PDF, 202.1 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! Student Logbook Years 3 - 6 (PDF, 594.67 KB)

Think Science! Student Logbook Years 7 - 10 (PDF, 271.13 KB)

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

Think Science! How to make a video

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

Online Information Session

Would you like to know more about Think Science? Our successful online zoom session was held on Monday 15th May, but if you missed it, or would like to hear it again, the recording of the session is now available via the link below or on ANSTO's YouTube channel. 

Think Science! information session.

 

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 Leader Program Creator and Coordinator Secondary Education Advisor Secondary Education Advisor
Stephanie McCready BAppSc (Hons) PhD Kim Whitbread BSc BA Dip Teach Julie Mulholland BSc Dip Ed Sarah Tyler BSc Dip Ed