Mathematics and Statistics Research Competition

The School of Mathematics and Statistics Research Competition provides high-school students with the opportunity to understand what it means to conduct mathematics and solve mathematical problems.

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: Juniors (Years 5 - 6), Intermediate (Years 7 - 9) and Senior (Years 10 - 12).

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.

2022 Research Competition

If you would like to take part in the 2022 Research Competition, please register your interest below and we will send you information about the competition (including the Research Question Booklet) when it becomes available.

Expression of interest

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 Presentation 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.

Please note the following provisional dates for the 2022 Research Competition.

  • Research Question Booklet available – February 2022
  • Information session – February 2022
  • Submissions close – 10th August 2022
  • Finalist teams notified – September 2022
  • Finals event – October 2022
  • Certificates issued – November 2022

2022 Research Competition

If you would like to take part in the 2022 Research Competition, please register your interest below and we will send you information about the competition (including the Research Question Booklet) when it becomes available.

Expression of interest

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) – Alishba Saeed
  • John Monash Science School (VIC) – Hita Keshav, Thomas Ma, & Emily Papastamatopoulos

Senior Finalists received $600

  • John Monash Science School (VIC) - Jordan Stirzaker, Harmohit Singh & Ravon Chew
  • John Monash Science School (VIC) - XiaoTong (Lisa) Liu, Oviya Ponkathirvarathan & Aabshaar Ahmad
  • Queensland Academy for Health Sciences (QLD) – Jason Sinclair, Anna Tian & Thien Tran
  • St Columba Anglican School (NSW) – Benoy Drenzla & David Jin

Intermediate Overall Winners received $1050

  • Newington College (NSW) – Minh Nguyen & Yueran (Preston) Zhang
  • Presbyterian Ladies’ College (VIC) – Liah Wu & Yunaa Tae

Intermediate Finalists received $600

  • Methodist Ladies’ College (VIC) – Stella Kirkham, Isabelle Li & Lily Wang
  • Scotch College (VIC) – Justin Chan & Samiyar Samiee
  • Scotch College (VIC) – Witter Onggara, Yup Meng Quek  & Stephen Zong

Junior Overall Winner received $1500

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

Junior Finalists received $600

  • Epping North Public School (NSW) – Sanjit Babu & James Cox
  • Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School (NSW) – Cameron Feiner & Paul Hardjawana
  • Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School (NSW) – Matthew Milicevic & David West
  • Presbyterian Ladies’ College (VIC) – Sinastha Au & Chloe Shen

Download projects and questions

Previous Winners and Finalists

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