Resources
For School Coordinators and Teachers
School Portal
School Portal Instructions for the school STS Coordinator: here
Instructions on how to submit entry (project) files: here
STS Judge Information
For further information, click here
Forms
STS Promotional Poster
STS Promotional Poster can be downloaded and printed to be put up around the school or your classroom.
About Class Experimental Research Projects
Class Projects are only available for primary schools.
Age divisions include:
- Lower Primary (F-Year 2)
- Middle Primary (Year 3-4)
- Upper Primary (Year 5-6)
STS Professional Development Kit for Teachers
The Science Talent Search Professional Development Kit is free and has been designed for schools and teachers facilitating the competition for the first time.
To request a copy, contact the STS Officer.
STS Links with Victorian Curriculum
STS has been mapped to the Victorian Curriculum
STS Committee
The Science Talent Search competition is run almost entirely by a volunteer committee. Each year 25-30 dedicated teachers or ex-teachers donate their valuable time to administering judging, running Exhibition and Presentation Day, and overseeing the competition rules and guidelines.
Without the committee, the competition cannot operate.
For more information about the STS Committee, click here.
For Students and Parents
2023 Theme & Topics
Theme and topics MUST be followed for the following two sections (categories)
- Creative Writing
- Posters & Scientific Wallcharts
Click here for the 2023 Topics
Creative Writing Resources
Key Science Ideas – Examples can be found here
Posters & Scientific Wallchart Resources
Templates have been provided and can be used to refer or adapt to for your own poster and submitted in digital format. Power point is preferred.
If you are hand-drawing and pasting text/diagrams onto your poster, take CLEAR photos of your poster including:
- At least one photo of the whole poster.
- Close up of text AND diagrams.
- Close up of acknowledgements, references, bibliography.
Remember: If you can’t read the text on the photos of your poster, then the judge can’t see it either.
Working Models and Inventions Resources
Some students need a place to start for what to include in their report for their Working Model or Invention. Click on the following links for a sample format. These are only guides, and students can use their own version.
Sample Risk Assessment Format
A risk assessment will be required for Experimental Research, Class Research Projects, Working Models and Inventions. If you don’t know where to start, a proforma is available to be used here.
Assessment Rubrics
2023 Rubrics for each of the sections (categories) are provided below.
Content coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Entering STS
How do I enter?
Coming soon
Click here for the 2023 Topics
I didn’t receive a handbook. Can you send me one?
Coming soon
Do I have to follow the yearly STS theme? Do I have to do the set topics?
Each year there is a theme for the Science Talent Search, usually based on the National Science Week theme. For Experimental Research, Games, Working Models, Inventions, Computer Programs – Games & Simulations, Science Photography and Video Productions you can choose your own theme and specific topic.
For Creative Writing and Posters – Scientific Wall Charts you MUST choose one of the set topics. The set topics are outlined in the current year’s handbook and these are the ONLY topics that will be judged.
What happens if I don’t follow all of the guidelines?
You may be disadvantaged during judging.
We know the project type and title but will be unable to provide the students names. Is it possible to enter with project type, age group, and school and forward the names and project titles shortly after?
No. We must have all student names and project titles at the time entry registration closes. All details must be completed online.
One of my students has changed the title of their project. Can you please alter your records?
Coming soon
One of my students has dropped out after entering. Can I get a refund?
Unfortunately no. The entry fee is to cover the costs of processing entries and general administration of the competition. It would cost us more than your original entry fee to process your refund.
My child’s school is not willing to enter students this year. Can I enter my child as an independent entry?
Coming soon.
Can students work in pairs or groups?
Students can enter as “Individuals” or “Groups”. A group entry is two (2) students. The maximum of two students cannot be exceeded under any circumstances. The only exception is for the Class Research Project which is available to Lower Primary, Middle Primary and Upper Primary.
Can a student enter more than one project in the competition?
Yes, they can enter as many as they wish providing they are able to attend each appropriate judging venue, where necessary.
Can a student enter the same project in two different sections (eg. games & models)?
No, because they’re judged separately, often at different venues.
Can a student enter more than one project in the same section?
Yes.
Does the size restriction on entries apply to each individual entry?
Yes.
Can a year 4 student (Middle Primary) enter a project in the Junior category, for example?
This is not encouraged because the student must compete against students much older & complete a project of higher conceptual level. It may be appropriate for high achievers; however, bear in mind that all projects are open-ended and allow students to extend themselves as much as they wish within their own age division. They can also submit more than one project in more than one section.
Judging and Presentation Day
I understand that I need to be a judge. The handbook mentions country judging but not the locations. Will there be a judging venue in my region?
Coming soon
My school only has one entry. Do we still have to provide a judge?
Yes you do. All schools entering must provide judges at the ratio of one judge to every 12 entries or part thereof.
We’re a metropolitan school. Can our judges be allocated to an online judging section so that they don’t need to attend Judging Day?
Coming soon.
I have to play in a final with my sporting team on Judging Day. Can I send my parents or a friend to submit my project on my behalf?
No, when you enter the competition you commit to the rules. One of the conditions for metropolitan students is that you attend Judging Day with your project, unless you have entered into one of the online judging sections.
Our school is on the outer fringe of Melbourne. Are we classified as metropolitan or non-metropolitan for judging purposes?
Metropolitan is defined as within 100km radius of the GPO.
I can’t attend the Presentation Day ceremony and I won a Bursary. Can you please post my medallion?
No, special medallions are presented as a gift to bursary winners who attend the Presentation Day ceremonies.
General
Why should I make the effort to ensure my bursary winning students write to their sponsor?
All prizes are funded by our sponsors. Sponsors like to feel that their money has been well spent. Showing appreciation in the form of a well written thank you note, or better still a personal thank you at Presentation Day encourages our sponsors to continue supporting the competition. This is direct feedback that reassures them that the competition promotes enjoyment of science.