Junior Science Olympiad Programs
The Junior Science Olympiad develops scientific capability in high school students in Years 7 to 10.
The intensive Spring School is the Junior Science Olympiad equivalent of the Australian Science Olympiad Summer School. In addition, we offer two pathway programs that cater for different levels of student experience: the Junior Science Olympiad Training Squad, and the Junior Science Olympiad Academy.
Entry to all three programs is by invitation and is based on results in the Junior Science Olympiad Exam.
Junior Science Olympiad Training Squad
The Junior Science Olympiad Training Squad is a self-paced online program aimed at regional and rural students and students from low-socioeconomic areas. It aims to redress inequity in student outcomes due to gender and socioeconomic or geographic disadvantage by providing a legitimate acceleration and extension opportunity for these students.
The Training Squad is supported by the program director and a team of tutors and covers content from the Australian Curriculum Science up to a Year 10 Level. The program is sponsored by Stile Education and the program provides access to curated resources on the Stile app.
Invitations to the Training Squad are based on a student’s age (turning 14 or younger in the year of the Junior Science Olympiad Exam), potential (a credit or better in the Junior Science Olympiad exam) and location.
FAQs
The cost of the Junior Science Olympiad Training Squad may change year-on-year. In 2023, it is $75.
Students selected to take part in the Training Squad will be notified in via email later in the year.
Participating in the Junior Science Olympiad Training Squad does not guarantee an invitation to the Junior Science Olympiad Spring School or Academy. However, it does aim to develop and encourage students to sit the Junior Science Olympiad Exam again in the future, which is the pathway to these programs.
No, you do not. However, citizenship is necessary if you later wish to be considered for selection for the Junior Science Olympiad Spring School and to represent Australia at the International Junior Science Olympiad.
Junior Science Olympiad Academy
The Academy is a rigorous online program for high-achieving science-loving students who are preparing for the Junior Science Olympiad Exam and who may be looking ahead to the senior Science Olympiads. The Academy aims to assemble a diverse group of students from as wide a variety of schools as possible.
The Academy consists of 4 x 10-week courses which run during Semester 1 each year (Biology and Chemistry in Term 1; Earth Science and Physics in Term 2). The content is at an advanced Year 10/early Year 11 level and the courses are taught by expert teachers. Weekly Zoom lessons are combined with online homework and each course concludes with an exam.
Invitations to the Academy are based on age (turning 13 or 14 in the year of the Junior Science Olympiad Exam) and potential (a distinction or better in the Junior Science Olympiad Exam). A maximum of two students from any one school may be invited. In the case that more than two students from a school are eligible, the school may choose to whom the invitations are given.
FAQs
The costs for the Junior Science Olympiad Academy may change year-on-year. In 2022, the cost for this program was $250.
Students selected to take part in the Academy will be notified between November and December.
Participating in the Junior Science Olympiad Academy does not guarantee an invitation to the Junior Science Olympiad Spring School. However, it does aim to develop and encourage students to sit the Junior Science Olympiad Exam, which is the pathway to the Spring School.
No, you do not. However, citizenship is necessary if you later wish to be considered for selection for the Junior Science Olympiad Spring School and to represent Australia at the International Junior Science Olympiad.
Yes, the content is at an advanced Year 10/early Year 11 level. We work in collaboration with the school of students selected to take part to discuss the needs of individual students and their school workload.
Junior Science Olympiad Spring School
Based on an outstanding performance in the Junior Science Olympiad Exam, 24 students are invited to attend the Junior Science Olympiad Spring School, a nine-day camp held at the Australian National University in the spring holidays.
This intensive camp is an opportunity for students to extend themselves in biology, chemistry and physics, to connect with subject experts, and to develop new friendships with like-minded students from across the country. The national team to compete at the International Junior Science Olympiad is chosen from the participants of the Spring School.
Invitations to the Spring School are based on age (turning 15 or younger in the year of the Junior Science Olympiad Exam) and top results in the Junior Science Olympiad Exam. Invitees must be Australian citizens.
FAQs
You will be contacted by a representative of ASI via phone and email in July. All students who receive a High Distinction will receive a letter of congratulations.
Costs are determined year-on-year due to a number of factors. Students will be advised of the cost when invited.
Unfortunately not. We host the Junior Science Olympiad Exam once a year. The next round of Junior Science Olympiad Exam will be in June.
Yes. The Australian team for the International Junior Science Olympiad is chosen from the students attending the Junior Science Olympiad Spring School.
While making the Australian team is an excellent achievement, the Spring School also offers students the chance to challenge themselves, make new friends and experience science way beyond the classroom. We encourage students above all to enjoy the experience and make the most of it.
Congratulations! That is a fantastic achievement. Each year, approximately 500 students score a High Distinction on their exams and we select the top 24 students to attend the spring school.