Australian Science Innovations delivers challenging science extension programs for high school students that aim to broaden horizons, identify capabilities and build Australia’s scientific community.
Our Programs
In partnership with teachers and schools, we offer a range of science extension programs for science-loving students who want to challenge themselves, and explore their potential.
We proudly deliver the Australian Science Olympiads Program, Junior Science Olympiad Program, Big Science Competition and co-deliver the Curious Minds – Girls in STEM program.
Australian Science Olympiads
The Australian Science Olympiads are a staged science enrichment program for highly motivated students in Australian high schools. The program covers four separate disciplines Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, and Physics.
It starts by sitting the Australian Science Olympiads exams. Students register through their school and sit the online exam as a cohort at their school. Students who participate in the Australian Science Olympiad exam may earn an invitation to Summer School at the Australian National University. Exceptional students may then be chosen to represent Australia as part of the teams which attend the International Science Olympiads across the world.
Junior Science Olympiad
The Junior Science Olympiad staged science enrichment program is for highly motivated students in Australian high schools in Years 7 to 10.
It starts by sitting the Junior Science Olympiad Exam, which covers a wide range of topics in science, including Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental science, and Physics. High achieving students may be selected to attend the Spring School residential camp, and could then be selected to represent Australia at the International Junior Science Olympiad.
Other opportunities may be offered to selected students to participate in further Junior Science Olympiad extension programs.
Curious Minds
Empowering girls who are passionate in STEM to explore their full potential, through a hands-on extension and mentoring program.
If you’re a girl in year 8 or 9 who is passionate about STEM subjects, or if you’re a female professional working in the STEM industry and would like to become a coach, you can express your interest for the next program.
Big Science Competition
The Big Science Competition is open to students in Years 7 to 10 globally. It’s a 50-minute, mixed format online competition testing science knowledge, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Questions are set in real-life, contemporary contexts, making them relatable… and interesting!
The Big Science Competition is one of the biggest international science competitions held in schools. It is an easy way to challenge students from Years 7 to 10 and track their performance against state or national averages. Competition questions are aligned with the Australian Curriculum – Science.
Australian schools and students can win great prizes!
Key Dates and Events
Teachers and facilitators who are new to ASI Programs, subscribe to the ASI Program Updates mailing list to be notified when registrations open/ close. If you are new and ready to sign up, request an ASI account here to get access to the ASI Teacher Portal.
Big Science Competition
Competition Sitting Date period:
Monday 4 May to Friday 15 May 2026
Junior Science Olympiad Exams
Exam 9 & 10: Wednesday 10 June 2026
Exam 7 & 8: Friday 12 June 2026
Australian Science Olympiad Exams
- Physics: Monday 27 July 2026
- Biology: Tuesday 28 July 2026
- Earth and Environmental Science: Wednesday 29 July 2026
- Chemistry: Thursday 30 July 2026
Curious Minds - girls in STEM
Express Your Interest in becoming a Curious Minds student or a STEM Coach for the next program.
-
Celebrating the 2025 Australian International Junior Science Olympiad Team
Left to right: Max Xu, Chenhan Luke Xie, Felix Lee, Dr Tammy Humphrey, Suren Mendis, Zitong Jamie Hao, Cameron Wong and Sonasaha Abhayagunaratne. On Monday, 17 November 2025, a ceremony was held to officially announce the team of remarkable young science students who have been selected for the International Junior Science Olympiad Australian team. Carefully […]
-
Introducing the 2025 International Junior Science Olympiad Australian team!
Left to right: Max Xu, Chenhan Luke Xie, Felix Lee, Zitong Jamie Hao, Cameron Wong and Sonasaha Abhayagunaratne. Congratulations to the students selected for the 2025 International Junior Science Olympiad Australian team. The following exceptional students have been chosen to represent Australia: Sonasha Abhayagunaratne – Baulkham Hills High School, NSW Zitong Jamie Hao – James […]
-
Junior Scientists Crush 2025 Spring School
The 2025 Junior Science Olympiad Spring School was held over ten days in early October at Mungga-Iri Jingee Academy Of Future Skills in Canberra. Mungga-Iri Jingee means ‘touch the stars’ in the Ngunnawal language, apt for our young science stars. Following the completion of the Junior Science Olympiad (JSO) Exams in June this year, 24 […]
-
Kathryn Zealand: Using Science to Power Innovation and Movement
Kathryn Zealand is making a positive impact on the world, using her physics superpowers. A supportive and motivating physics teacher at Brisbane Grammar School, where she attended high school in Queensland, started Kathryn on the path to a highly awarded education and a successful career in science, innovation and entrepreneurship. Kathryn is an alum of […]
-
There and Back Again: Earth Science Training goes to New Zealand
This year, the team representing Australia at the International Earth Science Olympiad had an amazing opportunity to undertake training in New Zealand. Leo, Tiffany, Alex, and Jeffrey experienced frozen rivers, mountain climbs and cave visits as part of their preparation for the challenges they would face in Jining, China, competing against more than 100 students […]
-
Dr Kathryn White: Changing Lives Through Science Education
As we bid a fond farewell to Dr Kathryn White, who retired from her role with ASI in August 2025, please join us in thanking and celebrating her work and achievements. Kathryn has been a driving force behind our Junior Science Olympiad (JSO) program, including the JSO Training Squad and JSO Academy elements, to support […]
