Mathematics and Statistics Research Competition

The School of Mathematics and Statistics Research Competition provides school-aged students with the opportunity to understand what it means to conduct mathematical and statistical research.

Students will be given a set of open-ended research questions from which they choose one. They can then employ methods used by mathematical researchers to investigate their problem; they can gather data, simplify, visualise, hypothesise, conjecture and prove. The aim of the competition is to allow students to use their creativity and problem-solving skills to make choices about how best to ask and answer questions about their chosen project. As teamwork is a valuable and essential skill for research, students are encouraged to participate in the competition as part of a team which will provide opportunities to reason and work collaboratively with others. Students may participate individually if they wish.

  • Eligibility

    Students must be enrolled in an Australian or New Zealand government or non-government school. The competition is open to three age categories:

    • Senior (AU: Year 10 - 12, NZ: Year 11-13),
    • Intermediate (AU: Year 7-9, NZ: Year 8-10) and
    • Juniors (AU: Year 5 - 6, NZ: Year 6-7).

    If a team includes students from different age categories, then they must enter in the category of the oldest student. Schools are encouraged to enter multiple teams and students are welcome to participate in multiple teams on different projects.

  • Brochure and Flyer

    The following links allow you to download a brochure and flyer that you may want to use to advertise the competition to students in your organisation:

    Download Brochure (PDF 1.3 MB)

    Download Flyer (PDF 471.6 KB)

  • 2022 Registration

    If you would like to take part in the 2022 Research Competition, please register your details using the link below. You will be sent a copy of the question booklets, updates and announcements, and details about information sessions when they become available.

    Register to receive booklets

  • Important Dates
    • Research Question Booklet available – 14th March 2022 (π Day!)
    • Information session (attendance is optional) – May, June 2022
    • Submissions close – 10th August 2022
    • Finalist teams notified – September 2022
    • Finals event – October 2022
    • Certificates issued – November 2022
  • Information Sessions

    The Outreach team will be facilitating two information sessions (attendance is optional) to answer your questions about the competition. The information session will provide an overview of the competition and reflect the information available in the FAQ and the Submission Guidelines. There will be time for questions about logistical/administrative aspects of the competition. The information session is NOT intended to provide guidance on the research projects.

    These sessions will take place over Zoom, the links will be sent out to those who have registered and received the question booklets. If you wish to attend an information session, you can choose ONE from the following options (you don’t need to attend both):

    Information Session 1

    Date: Monday 2nd May 2022
    Time: 4 PM – 4:30 PM AEST

    Information Session 2

    Date: Wednesday 1st June 2022
    Time: 4 PM – 4:30 PM AEST

Each team selects one from a set of research question to work on, there are different questions for each age category. Once they have finished their research, they must present their findings. They may do this by either:

  1. Writing a formal report, or
  2. Creating a visual display

All work must be the sole product of the registering team.

A shortlist of finalists will be invited to participate in the 2022 Research Competition Finals Presentations which will be held at the University of Melbourne Parkville campus. Travel subsidies may be made available for teams that need to travel from remote, regional, interstate or international locations. Arrangements will also be made for live stream presentations for teams unable to travel.

Each team will have a 15-minute slot in which to present a brief synopsis of their project and to answer questions from the judging panel and other academics. Further details about the Finals will be provided to finalists closer to date.

Prizes and Certificates

The top research project in each age category and all finalist teams will receive a cash prize. All teams who successfully submit a completed research project will receive a certificate for participation, merit, high commendation, distinction or as a finalist.

Judging

The criteria for judging will vary depending on the age category and the complexity of the research project. However, whenever explicit mathematics is involved, mathematical accuracy is vitally important, as is the correct use of mathematical language. In addition to these, the judging criteria include elements for originality, creativity, communication and presentation.

For further information please contact ms-outreach@unimelb.edu.au.

This page contains the submission guidelines and requirements. Please read all the information on this page before submitting an entry.

Overview

  • The submission deadline is 11:59 PM Wednesday 10th August 2022 (Melbourne time, UTC +10:00); entries received past this time will not be considered.
  • To enter a project into the competition, the completed research project must be submitted via an online form.
  • The online form will be made available in July 2022. We recommend that the submission form is completed on a desktop computer.
  • The form can be completed by a School Contact (including home school) or student team.
  • If you are submitting multiple entries; you must complete the submission form again for a different entry.
  • We recommend that you avoid delaying the submission until the day of the deadline to avoid issues and allow time for changes if needed.

Submission Requirements

School Contact Details

  • The School Contact must provide their full name, email, contact number, and school (including home school).

Student Team Details

  • All students in the team must provide their full name and year level.
  • The team must nominate one student as the Corresponding Author and provide that person’s email.

Declaration

  • A declaration form must be completed and uploaded as part of the submission process.
  • The declaration requires signatures from the School Contact and the students in the team, declaring that the submitted project is the students' own work.
  • If a team comprises students from different schools, one declaration form must be completed and uploaded for each school.
  • If Section B of the declaration form is not signed by a School Contact, the entry will not be eligible to be shortlisted as a Finalist.
  • If the declaration form is not adequately filled out, the entry will not be considered.

Download Declaration Form (PDF 413.1 KB)

Project Files

  • If a submission is missing the required information (contact details, declaration form, project files), it will not be considered.
  • We recommend that you gather the contact details for all relevant persons and project files well ahead of the submission deadline.
  • Only files submitted through the online submission form will be considered for judging.
  • Do not send files to the Outreach Team via email; these will not be considered.
  • See below for further details regarding file upload requirements.

File Upload Requirements

  • The submission form will accept the following types of project outputs with specific file extensions:
    • Written report: .pdf
    • Static visual display (e.g. image/figure, photograph, poster, infographic, slideshow, spreadsheet): .pdf
    • Code/programming script: .pdf
    • Video: .mp4, .mov, .avi, .flv, .mkv, .wmv
    • Audio: .m4a, .mp3, .mp4, .wav, .wma
  • It is possible to submit a project comprising more than one output type (e.g. written report plus static visual display).
  • If the project is a written report that comprises sections involving code/programming script; it can be included in the report as part of the appendices and does not need to be uploaded separately.
  • Any code or programming script should be presented in PDF format, clearly labelled with a page break between separate scripts.
  • There is a size limit of 100 MB for each file.
  • Only one file is permitted for each type of project output.
  • All files must be related to the project.
  • File extensions which will not be accepted by the submission form include: .rar, .zip, .exe, .ppt, .pptx, .pptm, .pps, .ppsx, .ppsm, .xls, .xlsx, .xlsm, .csv, .txt, .jpeg, .jpg, .png, .htm, .html, .xlm, .doc, .docx, .r, .py, .m, .c, .cs, .java, .pl, .sh.
  • It is the students’ and School Contact’s responsibility to ensure:
    • the project files comply with the above requirements,
    • the project files are converted to the acceptable file extensions if necessary, and
    • all uploaded files are not corrupt (unable to be opened).
  • Files which do not comply with the file requirements will not be accepted by the submission form.
  • Files which cannot be opened will not be considered.
  • Files not received via the submission form will not be considered.

Page/Length Requirements

  • Video and audio files must not exceed 5 minutes in length.
  • Written reports must not exceed 20 pages in length. This page limit excludes any tables, figures, appendices or references. There is no minimum page requirement.
  • A slide show visual display must not exceed 20 slides. This slide limit excludes any tables, figures, appendices or references. There is no minimum slide requirement.
  • Please exercise reasonable judgment when deciding on the size of other types of project outputs.

Updating a Submitted Entry

  • It is the School Contact and students’ responsibility to ensure all details and files are correct. A confirmation email will be sent to both the School Contact and Corresponding Author upon completion of the submission form. Check junk/spam/promotions folder if the confirmation email is not in the inbox.
  • If you need to make changes to a submitted entry, email us (ms-outreach@unimelb.edu.au) with as much detail as possible and we will send you a link to update the submission. DO NOT email any files to us; they will not be considered.
  • If you make multiple submissions for the same entry (same project and team); the Outreach Team will process the most recently submitted entry.

Submission Form

A link to the online submission form will be added here when it becomes available.

This page contains answers to frequently asked questions about the competition. If your question is not answered, please contact us at ms-outreach@unimelb.edu.au.

Administration and Joining

  • What is the fee to enter the competition?

    $0 AUD

  • Is there a deadline to register teams or individuals?

    Teams/individuals are registered at the time of submission. The initial registration is for the School Contact to receive the Research Question Booklets and updates and announcements.

  • Can home schooled students participate?

    Yes.

  • When is the submission deadline?

    11:59 PM Wednesday 10th August 2022 (Melbourne time, UTC +10:00)

  • Do the projects need to be submitted?

    No. However, prizes and certificates will only be awarded to teams which have officially submitted.

  • Will solutions to the projects be released?

    No. However, the finalist projects will be published on the Outreach website after the Finals.

  • I am a teacher. What is my involvement in this competition?

    You are expected to give the project booklets to your students and sign a section of the declaration form stating that you believe the project outputs to be the students' original work. You are not expected or permitted to help with the projects in a technical capacity.

  • What is a School Contact?

    For the purposes of this competition a School Contact is one of:

    • A registered teacher employed at the same school of a student submitting a research project.
    • A responsible adult acting as a home school instructor for a student submitting a research project. This adult must hold a valid registration with the home education authority of their state, territory or region.

    As part of auditing, the School Contact may be asked to provide proof of registration.

Teams

  • Is there a limit on how many teams a school can enter?

    No, schools can enter as many teams as they like.

  • Can a student be in more than one team?

    Yes. However, the different teams must be working on different projects.

  • Can a team be made up of students from different schools?

    Yes. See the submission page for information on additional requirements.

  • Can a team be made up of students from different age categories?

    Yes, but the project must be chosen from the question booklet for the age category of the oldest student in the team.

Submissions

  • I am a student or part of a student team. How do I submit my/our completed project?

    The exact procedure for submitting the projects can be viewed at the submission details page.

  • I am a teacher. How do I submit the completed project(s) of my student(s)?

    The exact procedure for submitting the projects can be viewed at the submission details page.

  • I am a parent/guardian of a home schooled child(ren). How do I submit a completed project(s) for my child(ren)?

    The exact procedure for submitting the projects can be viewed at the submission details page.

  • Can a team of students submit a project without a School Contact?

    Yes. However, you must ensure that the Section B (School Contact Declaration) of the declaration form has been signed by a School Contact. If Section B of the declaration form is not signed by a School Contact, the entry will not be eligible to be shortlisted as a Finalist but can be awarded one of: Participation, Merit, High Commendation or Distinction.

  • Why does a School Contact need to be involved in the process?

    The research competition is a school program. To be considered as a Finalist Team, a School Contact must declare the originality of the students’ work by signing Section B of the declaration form. Projects without a School Contact's details and signature at Section B of the declaration form can be submitted but will not be eligible to be shortlisted as a Finalist.

  • My child’s school will not take part in the competition nor sign the declaration form. What are my options?

    These will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us at:
    ms-outreach@unimelb.edu.au.

  • What are the rules for submitting a project?

    Please refer to the guidelines and requirements set out on the submission page of the competition website.

Finalists and Finals Event

  • How are finalists chosen?

    The judging criteria will vary depending on the age category and the complexity of the research project. However, whenever explicit mathematics is involved, mathematical accuracy is vitally important, as is the correct use of mathematical language. In addition to these, the judging criteria include elements for originality, creativity, communication and presentation.

  • What happens after a team is selected as a Finalist?

    Finalists are invited to present their research projects at the Finals Event which will be held at the University of Melbourne Parkville Campus.

  • When will the Finals Event take place?

    The Finals Event will take place in October 2022.

  • How do I participate at the Finals if I can't make it to the Parkville Campus?

    Finalists unable to attend campus will be able to participate in the Finals virtually.

  • How will the Top Team be chosen at the Finals Event?

    The Top Team is chosen by a panel of judges comprising academics in the School of Mathematics and Statistics and members of the Outreach Team. The judging panel will select the Top Team for each age category based on presentation quality, clarity, and communication.

  • What if I am a finalist and I don't want my name publicised?

    We will only publish your first initial and last name, along with the school with your consent. (E.g. J. Smith - University of Melbourne)

Prizes and Certificates

  • What are the awards available?

    Teams that submit a research project will be awarded one of the following certificates:

    • Participation
    • Merit
    • High Commendation
    • Distinction
    • Finalist
  • What are the prizes?
    • Top Senior Team (AU: Year 10 -12, NZ: Year 11-13) - $1500 AUD
    • Top Intermediate Team (AU: Year 7-9, NZ: Year 8-10) - $1500 AUD
    • Top Junior Team (AU: Year 5-6, NZ: Year 6-7) - $1500 AUD
    • Finalist Team - $600 AUD

    In the event that the Top Team is shared across 2 teams, the prize amount will be $1050 AUD per team.

  • How will teams receive their prize money?

    The prize money will be awarded in the form of an e-gift card which will be sent to students directly.

  • How will teams receive their certificates?
    • Non-finalist teams will receive digital certificates; these will be sent to the School Contact.
    • Finalist teams will receive physical certificates at the Finals Event.

The second annual Research Competition was opened to the entire nation, with the Finals being held virtually in October 2021 via zoom, boasting delegates from most states and territories in Australia. This year also marked the introduction of a new junior division, with many quality submissions from many younger mathematicians. Once again, the competition was fierce, resulting in a two-way tie in both the senior and intermediate divisions.

Below is the list of winners and finalists for the 2021 round. The prize money is awarded per team and the 2021 Research Competition questions and can be downloaded from the link at the bottom of the list.

Senior

Overall Winners received $1050

  • Darwin High School (NT) – A. Saeed
  • John Monash Science School (VIC) – H. Keshav, T. Ma, & E. Papastamatopoulos

Finalists received $600

  • John Monash Science School (VIC) - J. Stirzaker, H. Singh & R. Chew
  • John Monash Science School (VIC) - X. Liu, O. Ponkathirvarathan & A. Ahmad
  • Queensland Academy for Health Sciences (QLD) – J. Sinclair, A. Tian & T. Tran
  • St Columba Anglican School (NSW) – B. Drenzla & D. Jin

Intermediate

Overall Winners received $1050

  • Newington College (NSW) – M. Nguyen & Y. Zhang
  • Presbyterian Ladies’ College (VIC) – L. Wu & Y. Tae

Finalists received $600

  • Methodist Ladies’ College (VIC) – S. Kirkham, I. Li & L. Wang
  • Scotch College (VIC) – J. Chan & S. Samiee
  • Scotch College (VIC) – W. Onggara, Y. M. Quek  & S. Zong

Junior

Overall Winner received $1500

  • Doncaster Gardens Primary School & MathsInside Studio (VIC) – T. Ma

Finalists received $600

  • Epping North Public School (NSW) – S. Babu & J. Cox
  • Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School (NSW) – C. Feiner & P. Hardjawana
  • Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School (NSW) – M. Milicevic & D. West
  • Presbyterian Ladies’ College (VIC) – S. Au & C. Shen

Download Finalist Projects
(ZIP 29.3 MB)

Previous Winners and Finalists

Use the menu below to download the finalist projects and question booklets from previous years.