Set a science challenge this year!
The Big Science Competition is open to students in Years 7 to 10 globally. It’s a 50-minute, multiple choice online competition testing science knowledge, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Questions are set in real-life, contemporary contexts, making them relatable… and interesting!
- Challenge students from Years 7 to 10.
- Track their performance against state and national averages.
- Questions are aligned with the Australian Curriculum – Science.
- Four paper levels which correspond to each year level.
- Schools and students can win great prizes!
The Big Science Competition costs $7.70 per student (GST inclusive, GST is not applicable for international schools).
Students receive a certificate indicating their performance and schools will receive comprehensive reporting on student results compared to class, school and national averages.
Sitting the Big Science Competition could lead to selection in our science extension programs including the Junior Science Olympiad Training Squad and Curious Minds – girls in STEM.
This year you can sit the BSC between Monday 6 May to Friday 17 May, 2024.
Registrations close Wednesday 1 May 2024 5pm AEST.
FAQs
The Big Science Competition online platform will be open from 7am AEST on Monday 6 May and will close at 5 pm AEST on 17 May, 2024.
Schools can run the competition at any time that suits their timetable. Different year groups may sit the Big Science Competition on different days. We do ask that all students sitting at the same level do so on the same day, under exam conditions to maintain the integrity of the competition.
Students who are home-schooled, learn remotely or who otherwise cannot sit the exam at their school may sit the competition at home under supervision.
Competition questions are aligned with the Australian Curriculum – Science. There are four paper levels which correspond to each year level. This 50-minute, multiple choice online competition tests science knowledge, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills
Purchasing a Past Exam Paper is a great way to help you find out what the Big Science Competition is all about!
All high school students in Years 7 to 10 are eligible to sit the Big Science Competition. The competition is open to Australian and international schools.
We accept students who attend schools, are homeschooled, or who sit the competition through a tutoring or education academy.
If you are a teacher or school who is new to the Big Science Competition, contact us at any time to set up access to the ASI Teacher Portal, by emailing asi@asi.edu.au
We do not accept direct student registrations; all interested students should contact their science teacher or school admin to discuss taking part.
New teacher or school? Email asi@asi.edu.au to set up access to the ASI Teacher Portal – we will need your name, email address and school’s details.
Organised the BSC before? Log in to the ASI Teacher Portal to access the registration form.
Note, you don’t need to provide us the details for each student, just the numbers for each year level. Students will be asked to fill in their name, DOB, gender, demographics and email address when they log in to sit the competition. To adhere to your schools privacy policy, ensure you have gained relevant permission prior to the competition.
Next steps, in the weeks before the competition you will receive further details from ASI with instructions and guides on preparing your school and your students for the Big Science Competition.
Check your devices before the competition
- Check your IT against our technology profile here, and provide the document to your school’s IT team.
- Whitelist emails from asi@asi.edu.au with your school’s IT team.
- Complete the readiness test to ensure the competition works well on your school’s devices.
Check your device before the competition
Complete the readiness test to ensure the competition works well on your device.
Study for the Big Science Competition
We have past papers available for purchase to help you find out what the Big Science Competition is all about! A great way to prepare and enhance your science knowledge.
Yes! All schools who sit the exam go in the running to win prizes—no matter of their result!
Prize Draw 1 – Australian Schools
Australian Schools receive one entry into the draw for every year level they register into the 2024 BSC. Total Prize Pool = $2,000.00
Maximum entries per school = 4
- 1st Drawn – One Functional Torso Model – Valued at AUD$565
- 2nd Drawn – One Australian Rock Kit by TESEP plus Plate Tectonics Poster – Valued at AUD$420
- 3rd Drawn – Set of 15 DIY Seismometer kit: includes micro:bit starter pack, instructions and plate tectonics poster – Valued at AUD$405
- 4th Drawn – One 3D Printer plus filament supplies – Valued at AUD$360
- 5th Drawn – Set of 30 Smartphone 30X Zoom Microscopes – Valued at AUD$360
Prize Draw 2 – Australian Students
Australian students receive one entry into the draw for completing the 2024 BSC. Total Prize Pool = $1,000.00
Maximum entries per student = 1
- First four drawn – EFTPOS Voucher in the value of $250
Prize Draw 3 – International Schools
International schools receive one entry for every 20 students they register into the 2024 BSC.
- One voucher to a value of AUD$500 for your preferred science education product supplier
Terms and Conditions
Please refer to the: Big Science Competition 2024 Giveaway Terms and Conditions.
Yes, we welcome schools from across the globe.
It is important that international teachers select the correct paper for their students year level. You can view the equivalent year-levels below.
| Competition Level | Australian Year Level | New Zealand Year Level | Singapore Year Level | Approximate age range |
| Year 7 paper | Year 7 | Year 8 | Sec 1 | 12-13 years |
| Year 8 paper | Year 8 | Year 9 | Sec 2 | 13-14 years |
| Year 9 paper | Year 9 | Year 10 | Sec 3 | 14-15 years |
| Year 10 paper | Year 10 | Year 11 | Sec 4 | 15-16 years |
If you are an international teacher or school who is new to the Big Science Competition, contact us at any time to set up access to the ASI Teacher Portal, by emailing asi@asi.edu.au
2024 Posters to download, print and display!
Students who sit the Big Science Competition are assessed against the outcomes for the Australian Curriculum – Science. Teachers get access to comprehensive results that show where your students sit individually, as a class, and against your state average. This report can help you implement the learnings of the competition within the classroom.
Students receive a certificate indicating their performance.
We will contact schools by email when the report and certificates are available to download via the ASI Teacher Portal.
High achieving students could be selected for our science extension programs including the Junior Science Olympiad Training Squad and Curious Minds – girls in STEM.
Prizes will be drawn and announced after the competition.
You can find more information in our Competition and Exam Support webpage.
The Australian Science Innovations (ASI) office will be open from 7 am to 5 pm AEST, Monday to Friday during the competition period.
Please contact us on 02 6125 6228, or email us on asi@asi.edu.au
Registrations for 2024 Big Science Competition are open!
