Create session
The Peter Doherty Science Award was established in 2009 as a joint initiative of the Committee for Ballarat and Australian Nobel Prize laureate Professor Peter Doherty.
Open to students in Year 7 to Year 10 in Ballarat and regional western Victoria, the annual award encourages:
- Scientific thought and activity, inspiring students to investigate everyday issues by undertaking experimental research using the scientific method.
- Scientific communication, requiring students to present their findings in scientific poster format and for finalists, at an in person presentation event.
The Award offers three prizes with a combined value of over $2,000 and is structured to enable students to participate as part of their school curriculum, or to enter independently with their peers. Help prepare your students for success by booking Questions in Science and/or PDSA Masterclass to provide inspiration for investigations and further refine their scientific inquiry skills.
Click the button below to access all the competition details, including judging criteria, closing date, and the submission point.
Competition Details
- Develop and investigate a question of your own choosing
- Present your findings as a scientific poster
- Communicate your investigation to an audience
- Enter individually or in teams of up to 3
- Teams of 2–3 are eligible for selection for the Finals Event
Complete your own investigation. Receive feedback and are eligible for prizes.
Not eligible for the Finals Event.
Teams of 2–3 collaborate on an investigation. Top entries are invited to the Finals Event, livestreamed on YouTube. Years 7-10.
- June 2026:
Registrations open & Moodle resource hub access provided
- Monday 2 November:
Final submission deadline
- Sunday 9 November:
Finalists notified
- Thursday 26 November Finals Event:
Live presentations, livestreamed on YouTube
Prizes with a combined value of over $2,000 are awarded across all categories.
- Overall Winner
- Highly Commended
- Communication Award
What You'll Get After Registration
Once registered, your team gets access to a Moodle resource hub with interactive tools to support your investigation — including an AI-powered Investigation Assistant for on-demand feedback and a Poster Builder to design your A1 submission.
Science often begins with curiosity — a question you genuinely want to answer. Investigations don't need to start with a perfect plan. Many develop as you test ideas, notice unexpected results, and adjust your approach.
Strong investigations typically involve:
- A clear, testable question
- Designing a fair test or investigation
- Collecting and analysing data carefully
- Repeating trials to improve reliability
- Recognising errors and limitations
- Adjusting methods based on what is observed
- Drawing conclusions supported by evidence
Some students build on ideas from previous investigations. Others explore entirely new questions. Both approaches are valid — what matters is how well the investigation is carried out.
What makes a strong project?
Strong investigations are not defined by how "original" the idea is, but by how clearly and carefully the question is explored. Projects that respond thoughtfully to unexpected results, challenges, or mistakes often demonstrate the strongest scientific thinking.
Register your team or individual entry to get started.
Prepare your students for success by booking a Tech School program.
Inspiration for investigations and scientific inquiry skill development.
Hands-on support for investigation design and scientific communication.
