New in 2023, Think Science! gave Year 3 to 10 students across Australia an opportunity to develop and showcase their science inquiry skills! In small teams of 2-4 they performed an investigation at school and shared their processes, findings, and creativity in a short video presentation.
Over 40 schools (PDF, 144.24 KB) and 65 classes took up the challenge! Close to 1000 students participated. Entries came from all States and Territories, with regional and rural areas well represented (38% and 8% of entries, respectively).
The ANSTO Education Team congratulate all students and schools who took part and extend our appreciation for the many teachers who supported their students and made this competition possible. We hope you will join us again in 2024!
Entries were judged against published criteria, addressing the five science inquiry skills in the Australian Curriculum. The videos were approximately 3 minutes long for Years 3-6 and 4 minutes for Years 7-10. The topics for investigation were free for schools and students to choose.
Winning entries were selected across four age categories: Years 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 and 9-10. Rural schools were also considered for additional prizes.
The winning schools will receive science educational resources to the value of $1000 to $300. All winning students will receive an ANSTO medal and certificate. First place winners will also receive a gift card each. Click here for more information about Think Science!
Check out the winning teams and top entries below! Our winners locations.
Our Think Science! competition will be back again in 2024 with more opportunities to win great prizes for your school. We welcome your school's participation.
Would you like to be part of Think Science! 2024? 2024 Expression of Interest
For enquiries, please contact thinkscience@ansto.gov.au
Years 3-4 winning entries
| Place | School | State | Investigation title | Team members |
| 1st | Murray Farm Public School | NSW | Does the size of the paper plane affect the velocity of it? | Anika, Catherine, Monica, Raina |
| 2nd | Murray Farm Public School | NSW | Does the type of bread affect mould growth? | Alice, Jennifer, Jingxi |
| 3rd | Muhammadiyah Australia College | VIC | Which liquid would make the plants the healthiest? | Maha, Maryam, Roqia, Samar |
| Highly Commended | Murray Farm Public School | NSW | Does the thickness of a material affect the amount of static it creates? | Caleb, Josiah, Tei Yun |
Does the size of the paper plane affect the velocity of it?
By Anika, Catherine, Monica and Raina.
Does the size of the paper plane affect the velocity of it?Years 5-6 winning entries
| Place | School | State | Investigation title | Team members | |
| 1st | Secret Harbour Primary School | WA | Gnamma Holes | Heath, Scarlett, Tahlia | |
| 2nd | Illawarra Christian School | NSW | Will different spices in soil affect how tall grass will grow? | Claire, Keira, Luke, Rhys | |
| 3rd | Esperance Primary School | WA | Electric science | Isla, Kyle | |
| Highly Commended | Central Coast Grammar School | NSW | The Hot Wheels experiment | Daegan, Jai, Sam |
Years 7-8 winning entries
| Place | School | State | Investigation title | Team members |
| 1st | Heatherton Christian College | VIC | The growth of bacteria | Alice, Hannah, Nathan |
| 2nd | Burdekin Catholic High School | QLD | Light colour and shallot growth | Gabriella, Mary-Ella, Isabella |
| 3rd | Lyneham High School | ACT | Crash severity and ramp angle | Jesse, Nomon, Somon, Tyler |
| Highly Commended | Lyneham High School | ACT | Liquid type and evaporation | Lara, Tra |
Years 9-10 winning entries
| Place | School | State | Investigation title | Team members | |
| 1st |
| NSW | The effect of the temperature on the luminosity of glow sticks | Bayden, Emma, Isabelle, Tiana | |
| 2nd | Blacktown Girls High School | NSW | The effect of different pH levels on the activity of enzymes (Catalase) | Anushka, Likhita | |
| 3rd | Ryan Catholic College | QLD | How does the colour of light affect the growth of Dendrobium Discolour Bromfieldii? | Charli, Cody, Paige, Ross | |
| Highly Commended | Engadine High School | NSW | Paper helicopters | Christian, Romy |
The effect of the temperature on the luminosity of glow sticks
By Bayden, Emma, Isabelle, and Tian.
The effect of the temperature on the luminosity of glow sticksRural or remote area winning entries
In 2023 Think Science! offered prizes for rural and remote area schools. The rural and remote area prizes applied to schools from towns with a population of 5000 or less and more than 50 km from the nearest town with a population of 10,000 or more.
| Year group | School | State/Territory | Investigation title | Team members |
| 3-4 | The Risk Public School | NSW | Do macroinvertebrates affect water quality? | Breanna, Kaliber, Mia, Tonya |
| 7-8 | Coomandook Area School | SA | Magnet investigation | Cody, Dylan, Henry, Max |
| 7-8 | Kintore Street School | NT | Crystal growing, gummy bears, teeth/bones in liquid. | Cale, Donna, Harrison, Joshaun, Kayna, Lethan, Sam |
If you would like to register your interest for 2024, and receive news and updates on Think Science!, please fill in our EOI form below.