Australian Science Innovations

Big Science Competition: About the Competition

Questions in the Big Science Competition are developed by the Australian Council for Educational Research. They test critical thinking, problem-solving skills, the methods of scientific inquiry as well as knowledge of science concepts.

Questions are aligned to the emerging Australian Science Curriculum and are subject to pre-test trialling to ensure the highest quality. Content is drawn from three inter-related strands:

Science inquiry skills

Collecting, measuring and graphing data

Explaining patterns, drawing conclusions from observations

Formulating questions, predictions and hypotheses

Science as a human endeavour

Applying science in an informed, responsible and ethical manner

Science and contemporary issues

Sustainability and the consequences of human activity

Science understanding: the knowledge of science

Energy and force (Physics)

Materials (Chemistry)

Living things (Biology)

Earth and space (Earth Science)

The context is contemporary. The Competition sits within a framework of scientific concepts and processes outlined by the National Curriculum Board (May, 2009) in Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Science -

Contemporary science involves new and emerging science research and issues of current relevance such as energy resources and technology, climate change and adaptation, mining and minerals, biodiversity and ecological sustainability, materials science and engineering, health and prevention and treatment of disease.
[Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Science]

The papers are constructed to allow all students some success. The final questions in each paper are more challenging, designed to identify highly-talented students.

Latest news

The winner of the Rio Tinto Big Science Competition return trip to London is Anne Disney, Darwin High School, and Vice-president of the Science Teachers Association of the Northern Territory (STANT). Sam Maresh, Manager Government Relations NSW, Rio Tinto drew the winner at CONASTA, the annual conference of the Australian Science Teachers' Association. Congratulations Anne!

Photo: Sam Maresh, Manager Government Relations NSW, Rio Tinto, with competition winner Anne Disney.

• Dates and prices
• Registration
• Frequently asked questions
• Sample questions
• Results and reports
• Certificates and presentations
• For coordinators
  • Rules and conditions
  • Letter to parents
• For parents and students
  • Tips for students
  • Variation of date form