Judging registrations for 2024 are now closed. Registrations for 2025 will open on Monday 3 March.
We welcome all teachers including pre-service, TRT or retired teachers, along with science industry professionals as judges in the Oliphant Science Awards!
This competition gives volunteer judges an opportunity to view a broad range of projects from around the state. Participants can judge either in their own home or school (Electronic Categories ONLY) or at dedicated Judging Days.
Judges more often than not work as part of a judging team; this provides the opportunity to network, gain ideas and inspiration. Judges can choose to receive a Professional Development Certificate upon completion of the competition.
And, if you're new to judging, you will be paired with an experienced judge to guide you through the process!
2025 Judging dates
ROUND 1: Electronic Judging (Multimedia, Science Writing, Scientific Inquiry) | 4 - 20 July (sent to you via email)
ROUND 2: Programming, Apps and Robotics Judging Day | Saturday 26 July (Eastern suburbs Venue)
ROUND 3: Final Judging (Crystal Investigations, Games, Posters, Photography and Models & Inventions) | Thursday 31 July (Adelaide Showgrounds, Goodwood)
Have you considered getting your science faculty involved in judging?
Find out some of the benefits from previous judges below:
- It enables collaboration with a colleague in the judging process. It is often helpful to use discussion to clarify your thoughts when judging an entry.
- Allows staff not familiar with the Oliphant Science Awards to be involved, and hopefully encourage them to promote future student entries within their school.
- In larger categories, it is far more effective to be working with others to streamline the judging process.
- Acts as a positive professional development activity with a whole faculty. Allows staff to see what students from other schools might be doing and therefore generate ideas for their own site
- For Faculty Judging: please email isabelle@sasta.asn.au directly with your school's faculty team details (estimated number of staff and category preferences).
Below is some information from our experienced judges
Judging the Models & Inventions Category
What is it like to be a judge in the Oliphant Science Awards? We met some previous judges and asked them why they think the Oliphants are important, why they judge and whether... more...
Judging the Games Category
What is it like to be a judge in the Oliphant Science Awards? We met some previous judges and asked them why they think the Oliphants are important, why they judge and whether... more...
Photography from a judge's perspective
by Elizabeth Anderson, Mitcham Girls High School Over the years of involvement with the Photography section of the Oliphant Science Awards I have been lucky enough to have judged work from Years 2... more...
How to win in the Games category from a Judge's perspective
by Dagmar Preusker The Oliphant Science Awards attract a very high standard of entries as well as a large number from right across South Australia, this means that unfortunately there isn’t the time... more...
Programming, Apps & Robotics from a Judge's perspective
by Glen Hutson Do you know what makes the Programming, Apps & Robotics category different to all the rest? It’s the interview! Most years I meet with students as they demonstrate and explain... more...
Science Writing from a Judge's perspective
by Glen Hutson Every year I sit for several weeks in August, reading the Science Writing entries for the Oliphant Science Awards. I’m judging. I’m assessing your submissions. But why? Why is Science... more...