The Junior Science Olympiad Talent Development Program (TDP) is a national invitation-only online program offered to high-performing students under 16 years from underrepresented areas. This includes students who were invited to an initial 4 week Taster Program, including:

• Sze-Yong from Adelaide, SA, who says, “I’ve loved biology since I was little and picked up chemistry one or two years ago. I aspire to go into a medicine course in the future.”
• Addison from Cairns, QLD, who tells us, “I love science because I enjoy learning how things work and discovering the underlying principles that drive our world.”
• Jocelyn from Sydney, NSW, photographed in Darling Harbour, explained, “I love science because I like finding the connections between the world, especially how all parts of science interrelate and sustain our world. The Junior Science Olympiad Talent Development taster program has helped me to experience 4 different branches of science, teaching me about topics and allowing me to interact with like-minded people. I have thoroughly enjoyed this experience!”
• Nathan, also from Sydney, NSW, who says, “I’ve always been fascinated with astronomy and physics, and I’m more than glad to have got an opportunity in a full program dedicated to science.”

You won’t find any ‘lazy-bones’ in the Junior Science Olympiad Talent Development Program (TDP). Images supplied by students.

The aims of the TD Program are to provide a diverse group of students across Australia with the opportunity to follow their interest in science, make new friends, and support them to perform well in future Australian Science Olympiads. In addition to the online lessons, the Taster program offers a zoom social night where students can connect with like-minded peers.

Dr Tammy Humphrey, the Co-Program Director of the Junior Science Olympiads Program says, “Students played Kahoot in teams to identify photographs of landmarks in their home towns around Australia. Teams also competed in a ‘treasure hunt’ to find a book in a language fewest other students could speak (the winner was Polish) and to confuse other teams with the most obscure kitchen implements (a Spaetzle maker stumped everyone).”

Students invited to ‘taste’ the program include those who performed well in the JSO Exam, or other ASI programs, and who are from historically underrepresented areas, such as regional, remote, and low socioeconomic schools, Australian indigenous background, gender diverse, etc.

Katherine and Emily are students who were involved in the 4 Week TDP Taster Program who come from a rural area of Australia, where the access to extended science education and opportunities can be limited. Their mother, Kay, happily described their interests in science…

“Katherine is photographed with Honey, our Groodle. Honey is a prime example of the wonder of genetics. Both her parents have the curly hair stereotypical of a Groodle, yet Honey has reverted to a Golden Retriever coat. Katherine’s in-depth discussions on how biology and chemistry play a part in cells is a constant topic in our household.”

“Emily is photographed with a model brain. Both the physical makeup and the psychological function of the brain fascinate Emily, and leads to interesting and thought provoking discussion topics like ‘What is consciousness?'”

As Kay, told us “My girls have been so excited to participate. As a single mum in a rural community, there are limited extension opportunities for girls like my twins, so I am so happy they have had a great experience.

From first seeing your website, the girls were inspired enough to convince their school into participating along with inspiring other students to join in. Now they are setting up a science club at their school, to inspire excellence in science and opportunities in further learning for their fellow students.

In these uncertain times, I believe STEM is a universal bridge to rural and remote kids like mine whose exposure to the outside world can be limited. Thank you again for being part of that bridge.”

Images supplied by students.

We wish to thank 3M for their generous support of the 2025 Talent Development Program. Learn more about the Talent Development Program and what the next stages of the program have in store for the students!