Congratulations to the team of students selected to represent Australia at the 2026 International Earth Science Olympiad, which will be held from 20 to 27 August, in Turin, Italy.

The following exceptional students have been chosen to represent Australia:

• Hazel Chan – The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School, VIC

• Stephanie Cheng – James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW

• Mali Hart – Bunbury Catholic College, WA

• Yukai Yan – Sydney Church of England Grammar School (SHORE), NSW

The team were celebrated at the Australian Olympiad Teams Announcement at the Australian Parliament House in Canberra on 22 June 2026.

Their journey started by sitting the nation-wide Australian Science Olympiad (ASO) Exam in July 2025 before being selected to attend ASO Summer School in January 2026, onsite at the Australian National University. These four students have outperformed thousands of other students in qualifying exams and intensive training to earn their place on the team.

The team have gained immense knowledge and skills during the last year, under the guidance of Co-Program Directors, Dr Leslie Almberg and Wayne Wong, and Deputy Program Director, David Brown, along with a team of Earth science enthusiasts.

The students have been supported by their teachers and schools, along with their families and friends, to reach the prestigious achievement of being selected to represent Australia.

We would like to offer our warmest wishes to the Australian team representing us at the 2026 International Earth Science Olympiad. Your dedication and hard work have been truly inspiring, and we are confident in your capabilities. Wishing you every success!

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Hazel Chan

The Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School, VIC

Hazel loves all disciplines of science but has a particular interest in geology ‘because there’s so much mixed application, a good amount of math, and it’s just fun to recognise shapes and draw conclusions from incomplete data.’

She valued the cohort and friendships she built at ASO Summer School and recommends anyone interested in sitting an Olympiad exam to do it!

The International Earth Science Olympiad will be Hazel’s first trip to Europe, and while she is excited to explore a new continent, she is also a little nervous.

‘While I don’t have an idol, I have admired lots of female scientists E. Blackburn, M. Anning, A. Lovelace, Marie Tharpe, Ethel C. Dunham, Helen Heelis, over the years. While I don’t mean to ignore their achievements, their stories make it extremely obvious the level of persistence and determination they’ve held throughout their entire lives, that it isn’t just making discoveries, its for the pursuit of truth, of helping others.’

In her spare time, you will find Hazel playing her cello, crocheting and sewing. Hazel says, ‘Fashion history is innately intertwined with science from scutching and felting, mordants and pH dyes, to supporting structures and silhouettes, and of course the preservation, documentation, and study of specimens.’

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Stephanie Cheng

James Ruse Agricultural High School, NSW

Stephanie’s sister inspired her to try the Science Olympiad exams, an opportunity she is very grateful for. ‘My older sister is one of my biggest supporters who inspired me to have a go at the Science Olympiads, partially due to her physics background in university. My school friends were also big supporters who motivated me to participate in the Science Olympiads, despite them having a lot more knowledge in their respective sciences; we learnt topics together and took the exam together as well.’

Earth science is her favourite discipline, as it ‘combines parts of physics, biology and chemistry, and applies it to our Earth systems and beyond, which I find really interesting.’

Stephanie enjoyed how ASO Summer School introduced her to a whole new world of Earth Science she hadn’t encountered before. She is excited about trying the local cuisine at the International Earth Science Olympiad in Italy, along with ‘having a lot of fun studying, learning, and working with my friends, and hopefully making some new ones as well.’

Outside of science, Stephanie is ‘really drawn’ to the visual arts, as well as sewing and crafts. She also partakes in singing and dancing, growing plants and playing Minecraft.

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Mali Hart

Bunbury Catholic College, WA

Learning about and exploring the local geological history in Turin and the Alps is something Mali is eager to do at the International Earth Science Olympiad. Mali enjoys Earth science as allows her to ‘understand the processes that have created Earth, and that will continue to shape it into the future.’

The like-minded community at the ASO Summer School allowed her to share her passions with others and discuss her favourite topics with those who share similar interests.

‘I admire Dave Farina, a science communicator who works towards debunking fake, potentially harmful science myths that are common belief in today’s world of misinformation.’ Mali told us. ‘And any person who achieves a PhD is my ultimate inspiration. To devote so much of your life to a certain subject is incredibly admirable.’

‘I hope to acquire a PhD in Geology so that I may share my passion with other young people, hopefully encouraging them to explore earth science more deeply.’ Mali shared her dream.

Mali enjoys volleyball, karate, art, cooking, hiking and rock climbing in her spare time.

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Yukai Yan

Sydney Church of England Grammar School (SHORE), NSW

‘We were all unashamedly nerdy about science, and it was so awesome to get to know everyone.’ Yukai embraced the people and culture at ASO Summer School, with his passion for Earth science growing from learning and chatting with the Earth and Environmental Science teachers there. He is particularly excited about exploring the culture, history and food of Italy with his teammates.

When it comes to scientists or achievements he admires, Yukai says, ‘I think you can’t go wrong with Isaac Newton. I just think it was incredible how he managed to do so much at a time when there was not a lot of technology or equipment he could use to make observations. But if you’re talking about achievements, I think phasing out chlorofluorocarbons is incredible, especially since it was an effort by all of humanity rather than one individual person, and I really hope we’ll be able to do something like that again.’

Outside of science, Yukai enjoys history and languages, cooking, trivia, playing video games such as Silksong and Balatro, and playing basketball.

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Australian Science Olympiads (ASO) programs are run by Australian Science Innovations, a registered not-for-profit proudly delivering science extension programs for over 35 years. Each year we select and support the teams representing Australia at the International Science Olympiads.

The ASO program is supported by our Major Funder, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, and our University Partner, the Australian National University. We also thank Citadel Securities for their support as Major Partner.

Learn more about Australian Science Olympiads program here.

Learn more about the 2026 International Earth Science Olympiad on their website www.ieso2026-to.com

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