2024: That’s a Wrap for ASI!
2024 has been an exceptional year for Australian Science Innovations!
We are immensely proud of the positive impact we have made on countless science-loving high school students and the wider scientific community.
Nurturing the next generation of Australian scientists is a mission we hold dear, and the privilege of being a part of these young people’s journeys is truly rewarding.
The unwavering support from our community throughout the year has been inspiring, and we want to take this moment to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to the success of the past 12 months.
Here’s a recap of what happened (and don’t miss the Impact infographic at the bottom!)
Junior Science Olympiad
The JSO program had a successful year, with 7,342 participants registered for the JSO Exam held in June. It was one of our biggest contingents, growing by 26% from the previous year. We were delighted to support 318 schools across Australia in hosting the exams.
This year saw two exams offered: one for Years 7 and 8, and another for Years 9 and 10. This format made the exam more accessible for younger students, with results that more accurately reflected students’ abilities against the relevant cohort.
Twenty-four students with outstanding results from the exam earned an invitation to attend the JSO Spring School in early October, held onsite at the Australian National University in Canberra. It was the fourth Spring School held. See the photos and read more here.
From the Spring School, six outstanding students were selected to represent Australia at the 2024 International Junior Science Olympiad in Romania. The official Team Announcement ceremony took place in late November, where they were presented with their ‘green and gold’ blazers.
The team had an exciting adventure in Romania in December and a rewarding experience, bringing home 2 gold and 4 silver medals!
🥇 Gold for Alex Ma
🥇 Gold for Owen Zhai
🥈 Silver for Josiah Levchenko
🥈 Silver for Jaskeerat Arora
🥈 Silver for Eric Xie
🥈 Silver for Chrysolite Salla
You can find out about the exams and cultural enrichment experiences the team had, along with photos of their time in Bucharest.
Other students who took the JSO exam were invited to participate in JSO Academy or the JSO Training Squad online programs. The Training Squad is for students with limited opportunities due to factors such as their location (including regional and remote areas), their socio-economic background, and/or indigenous status.
As a result of being involved, one student noted, “It allowed me to learn at a higher level in all areas of science, and join a group of like-minded individuals that also enjoyed learning.”
Another said, “I liked being in a group where I could enhance and improve my science abilities, with tutors who could help me learn. Training Squad also gave me more knowledge and opportunities for a science career.”
2025 Dates for the Junior Science Olympiad Exam
Year 9 & 10: Wednesday 11 June 2025
Year 7 & 8: Friday 13 June 2025
Thank you Stile Education and 3M (via Global Giving) for their support of the JSO program.
Australian Science Olympiads
The Australian Science Olympiads (ASO) are a staged science enrichment program for highly motivated senior students in Australian high schools.
It has been a great year for the ASO program. In January, we welcomed 96 high-achieving students who were selected to attend Summer School, held at the Australian National University in Canberra. Some highlights:
- Experiencing world-class laboratories and classrooms while being surrounded by subject matter experts.
- The Earth and Environmental Science students explored areas of Canberra with fascinating outcrops, rock formations and environments, as well as iconic places such as Geoscience Australia, the National Rock Garden and the National Archives.
- A certificate presentation and farewell dinner with games, chats and food truck fare, along with inspiring speeches from Anna Davis, Chair of ASI Board, and Professor Grady Venville, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).
In June, we announced the teams selected to represent Australia in the 2024 International Science Olympiads. The ‘blazer ceremony’, held at Parliament House in Canberra, was attended by the teams, their families and loved ones, program teams, ministers and dignitaries. A highlight was Grace meeting the Governor-General.
The ASO students undergo hours of study, training and lab practice in preparation for their overseas adventures. We supported students to compete in International Science OIympiads in far-flung places like Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia and China. Many medals and memories were brought home from these International Olympiads, including four gold, three silver and five bronze medals! See the results and photos here.
Amidst the exciting Science Olympiad adventures, we held our ASO Exams. There were 7,872 participants were registered for the ASO exam, held in July and August at 298 schools across Australia. The exams were a fantastic way to enrich science education for students with a passion for biology, chemistry and Earth and environmental sciences, and physics.
These exams have helped the program team determine who will attend Summer School in early 2025 and identify potential Olympiad candidates for next year.
2025 Dates for the Australian Science Olympiad Exam
Physics: Monday 4 August 2025
Biology: Tuesday 5 August 2025
Earth and Environmental Science: Wednesday 6 August 2025
Chemistry: Thursday 7 August 2025
Thank you to our Major Funder, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and University Partner, the Australian National University for your support.
Big Science Competition
The Big Science Competition is one of the biggest international science competitions, challenging students from Years 7 to 10.
We had over 36,768 students sit the Big Science Competition (BSC) this year. They sat the BSC over a two-week period in May, taking on the 50-minute, multiple choice competition at their schools. Students received certificates, and multiple schools that participated in the BSC won prizes!
Several students who sat the Big Science Competition were selected to attend ASI science extension programs, including the Junior Science Olympiad and Curious Minds – Girls in STEM.
2024 Dates for the Big Science Competition: Monday 5 to Friday 16 May 2025
Curious Minds – Girls in STEM
Empowering girls who are passionate, high performers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to explore their full potential, through a six-month hands-on mentoring program.
103 girls in Years 9 and 10 were involved in the 2023-24 Curious Minds program, including attending a residential Winter Camp. The participants have limited opportunities to explore STEM subjects and careers due to factors such as their location (including regional and remote areas), their socio-economic background, and/or indigenous status.
- Read Tayla’s Story, a student from a rural town in the Central West region of New South Wales interested in forensic science.
- Read Jessie’s Story, a student from a small town outside Tamworth, who had an amazing hands-on experience in a hospital operating theatre during Winter Camp.
We could not offer this enrichment opportunity without the amazing dedication of over 200 volunteer STEM Coaches, and our many support staff.
105 girls in years 8, 9 and 10 have started 2024-25 Curious Minds program. Get updates about their adventures by following Curious Minds Instagram page, or find news and stories on the website.
Curious Minds is jointly delivered by Australian Science Innovations and Australian Mathematics Trust, funded by Department of Education and supported by The Australian National University, and University of Adelaide.
ASI Alumni Program
Many students who participate in ASO Summer School and JSO Spring School, as well as those selected to represent Australia at International Science Olympiads, become active alumni.
Our alumni attend expos and events to network and advocate on our behalf. They generously donate to support our programs. Many return as program staff to assist at the residential schools, using their previous experience and knowledge to support students. Alumni also become our Program Directors, Deputy Program Directors, and Board Members.
An amazing demonstration of alumni activation is Olivia, an alum from 2021 International Earth Science Olympiad, who has given back as a tutor and by undertaking an internship with ASI. Read her story here.
You may also remember Max, an alum who featured in a series of short videos for us this year, explaining what Earth and environmental science is all about and talking about his experience with the International Earth Science Olympiad. Thank you, Max!
Are you an alum from a previous ASI Spring School or Summer School who would like to be contacted about supporting and being involved with ASI? Please email alumni@asi.edu.au
Thank you to all the alumni who gave so much to ASI this year! We had 48 alumni support ASI 62 times, across 31 engagements such as expos, events and program positions.
Thank you to the schools, education organisations & students
We connect with many teachers, principals, support staff, and facilitators across Australia and the world! A total of 1,132 schools registered for ASOE, JSOE, and BSC exams this year. Amazing!
Our work across 184 regional schools in Australia allows us to reach students who might otherwise miss opportunities due to where they live, including regional and remote locations, their socio-economic background and/or their indigenous status.
Thank you to the many students who participated in our programs in 2024. They worked so hard, and we appreciate every effort made.
Thank you to our education experts
Our team of talented Program Directors, Deputy Directors, tutors, lab staff and many other support teams have worked tirelessly to develop programs that provide a high caliber of science exams and education, whilst also being fun and engaging.
The interest from schools and teachers, the number of participants, the feedback we receive, and the results achieved are testament to this.
Across the ASO and JSO International Olympiad competitions in 2024, we are proud of the teams earning 9 gold medals, 9 silver medals and 7 bronze medals.
This is a demonstration of the tenacity of the students, and the teams supporting them.
Thank you to our valued sponsors and partners
Many generous organisations support us in creating exceptional experiences and programs for our students.
- Major Funder – Department of Industry, Science and Resources
- University Partner – The Australian National University
- Major Sponsor – 3M
- Program Partner – Australian Maths Trust
- Sponsor – Stile
- Sponsor – IXOM
- Supporter – Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA)
- Supporter – Science and Technology Australia
Do you know of an organisation looking for an opportunity to sponsor future scientists? Download our Sponsorship Proposal here.
You can help us empower the future – sponsor Australian Science Innovations and drive the education that will shape tomorrow.
Please reach out for a conversation with our Executive Director, Vanessa Kates, by emailing asi@asi.edu.au
Thank you to our generous donors
Thank you to our Patrons
Thank you to our community
We are deeply grateful for the dedicated award-winning team of volunteers and support crew behind the scenes of our programs. The countless small contributions you make to ASI collectively have a tremendous impact! Through your efforts, you are helping Australia realise its ambition to become a global leader in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the families, carers, and friends who support the remarkable young people involved in our programs. ASI nurtures students’ scientific and STEM talents, and equips them with skills and opportunities that will shape their future. Your trust in us and your support in embrace this journey with your young scientist means the world.
Overall, 2024 was a year of achievement for Australian Science Innovations.
We are thrilled to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in science education and to make a lasting impact on the world around us. The people we meet and the journeys we undertake point to a bright future for Australian science! We’re eager for the year ahead and look forward to seeing you all in 2025.
Please follow us on our social media pages to get updates, photos and news.
Kind regards,
The Australian Science Innovations team
