Rio Tinto Big Science Competition
Big Science Competition & Australian Science Olympiad Competition
Please note this competition is not run by ASTA. For further information please contact ASI: 02 6201 2552 or asi@asi.edu.au
Registrations are now open for the Big Science Competition, sponsored by Rio Tinto.
Suitable for students of all abilities from Year 7 to 12, the Big Science Competition is more than just a test of science knowledge. It challenges students’ to think critically and solve scientific problems. Using everyday examples, the Big Science Competition raises awareness of the role science plays in the world around us.
The Big Science Competition takes just one-hour and is aligned with the Australian Curriculum – Science.
Key Dates:
Registrations close 18 April 2012
Competition day 23 May 2012
Cost: $7.00 excluding GST per student.
There are three papers based on the Australian school years:
Junior (Years 7&8)
Intermediate (Years 9&10)
Senior (Years 11&12)
Why take part?
It’s different
Most other competitions out there are only concerned about students knowing scientific facts. Big Science is different. It gives students some scientific information and asks them to solve problems. The kids need to use logic and reasoning. Those are important skills and that's what makes your competition different from the other ones out there. - Science Teacher from VIC
Receive feedback
Teachers receive a comprehensive report on students' performances against strands and sub-strands of the Australian Curriculum – Science. This information assists in providing diagnostic and formative assessment of individual students and cohorts.
Everyone is recognised
All students are given a certificate to recognise their achievement in the Competition as well as an individual report detailing their performance. Top scoring students are given special recognition with senior students encouraged to enter the Australian Science Olympiad Competition for a chance to represent Australia at the International Science Olympiads for Biology, Chemistry or Physics.
Great prizes for teachers and students
Students can win great prizes including iPod Touch’s, iTune vouchers and movie vouchers. Teachers could win three month subscriptions to Twig, giving you access to over 600 outstanding short films on science.
High quality
The test questions are aligned with the Australian Curriculum – Science and are written by the Australian Council for Education Research (ACER), Australia’s leading organisation for educational research.
For more info and to register go to www.asi.edu.au
Registrations are also open for the Australian Science Olympiad Competition
Suitable for top performing students in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, the Australian Science Olympiad Competition gives students the opportunity to represent Australia at the 2013 International Science Olympiads – the Olympic Games for science students.
To qualify, students must first sit the Australian Science Olympiad Exams, a demanding two hour exam held under strict supervision and examination conditions.
Students who do exceptionally well in the exam are invited to attend the Australian Science Olympiad Summer School held at Monash University in January.
The top students at the Summer School are selected to represent Australia at the International Science Olympiads.
Key Dates:
Registrations close: 18 July 2012
Chemistry exam: 8 August 2012
Biology exam: 13 August 2012
Physics exam: 15 August 2012
Cost: $9.00 excluding GST per student
Typically Year 10 and 11 students sit these exams but please contact us for exceptions to this on 02 6201 2552 or asi@asi.edu.au
For more info and to register go to www.asi.edu.au
The Big Science Competition and the Australian Science Olympiad Competition are run by Australian Science Innovations, an independent not-for-profit organisation committed to providing high quality science extension programs for students and teachers. For further information please visit www.asi.edu.au
