Australian Science Innovations deliver 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 programs, Junior Science Olympiad programs, Big Science Competition and help 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, such as our digital JSO Training Squad or our virtual JSO Academy.
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, 9 or 10 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
Big Science Competition
Monday 5 to Friday 16 May 2025
Registration are open! Close 29 April
Junior Science Olympiad Exams
Years 9 & 10 – Wednesday 11 June 2025
Year 7 & 8 – Friday 13 June 2025
Registrations will open in 2025.
Teachers and facilitators who are new to JSO, subscribe to the ASI Program Updates mailing list.
Australian Science Olympiad Exams
Physics – Monday 4 August 2025
Biology – Tuesday 5 August 2025
Earth & Environmental Science – Wed 6 August 2025
Chemistry – Thursday 7 August 2025
Registrations will open in 2025.
Teachers and facilitators who are new to ASO, subscribe to the ASI Program Updates mailing list.
Curious Minds - girls in STEM
Express Your Interest in becoming a Curious Minds student and STEM Coach for the next program.
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Jacinta Rees: Alum Giving Opportunities and Inspiration to New Olympiads
Meet Jacinta Rees, an ASI alum who found success in multiple ASI programs over the years, and now returns as a tutor to share her expertise and experience with the next generations of Science Olympians. Jacinta began her journey with ASI in 2020 by sitting the JSO Exam. Her growing passion for science saw her […]
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Oliver’s Journey: Science Olympiad Alum and Allrounder
Meet Oliver Downing, an experienced ASI alum who has been successful in multiple ASI programs over the years, including representing Australia at the 2023 International Junior Science Olympiad, where he earned a gold medal. In 2020, Olly was introduced to ASI programs when he sat the Big Science Competition (BSC) through his school. His performance […]
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Global Excellence: International Schools shine in the Big Science Competition
The Big Science Competition, open to students in years 7 to 10 across the world, provides an opportunity for participants to test their science knowledge and showcase their talents on the global stage. Every year, outstanding schools from Australia and around the world emerge as top performers in our international science competition. Last year we […]
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Dr YiJie’s Story: Celebrating International Women’s Day 2025
Introducing Dr YiJie Neo, a remarkable alum from the 2015-16 Curious Minds program, who went on to be selected in the Earth Science Olympiad team, winning a Gold medal at the 2017 International Earth Science Olympiad in France. YiJie recently told us about the highlights of doing the Curious Minds program and the impact the […]
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Greg McNamara: A force in Earth and Environmental Science Olympiads
Join us in congratulating and expressing immense gratitude to Greg McNamara, who has recently retired after dedicating over 10 years as Program Director, Earth and Environmental Science Olympiad for Australian Science Innovations (ASI). Greg obtained his Masters of Science in Geology, Stratigraphy, Geochronology and Vertebrate Palaeontology in 1997. He has been the Director for Geoscience […]
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2025 ASO Summer School – Best Day of My Life!
The 2025 ASO Summer School was packed full of amazing experiences, best demonstrated in these short videos produced by our ANU Interns. Watch the 2025 ASO Summer School short video series here 96 students travel from across Australia to join us at The Australian National University in Canberra for two weeks of intense science education, […]
