Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize
Short film competition for primary and secondary school students
Who has the most rizz of science communicators? Is it Dr Karl or Adam Spencer of Sleek Geeks fame? Or is it, in fact, YOU? Challenge yourself to become a next-generation Sleek Geek by explaining a scientific concept on film in an inspiring and entertaining way!
The Australian Museum Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize, presented by the University of Sydney, is offered to primary and high school students nationally. If you have a passion for science and for communicating ideas, then enter this competition by telling a scientific story via a short film. The theme for 2025 is 'above and below'.
We’re looking for up and coming science communicators, such as our 2024 Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize winners, Iestyn R (secondary school) and Cate Y (primary school).
The idea is to communicate a scientific concept(s) in a way that is accessible and entertaining to the public while seamlessly increasing their science knowledge or, as the Sleek Geeks like to say, allowing them to “learn without noticing”.
Recognised by teachers for its relevance to the primary and high school curriculum, the competition has become a staple activity in the classrooms of many schools across Australia.
Every year the judges are overwhelmed by the creativity and quality of entries, and the Faculty of Science congratulates all students who participate in the competition.
Not sure where to start making a video? View our instructional video.
Secondary school category
WINNER: Iestyn R., St John’s Anglican College, Qld
Fourteen-year-old Iestyn used animation software and his own illustrations to make Fusion – The Heart of the Sun. His film includes an overview of the proton-proton fusion process that occurs in the Sun’s core and shows how the Sun produces enormous amounts of energy – enough to power our planet’s processes and support life on Earth.
Runner-up: Lucy T., Lakes Grammar Anglican School, NSW
Lucy’s modern and slick production, The Chemistry of Caffeine, looks at the science behind caffeine and the way it seems to provide energy. She explains how caffeine interferes with the adenosine receptors, which usually tell the brain we are tired and low on energy, therefore delaying or stopping our normal sleep response.
Runner-up: Scarlett P. and Sophia L., Smith's Hill High School, NSW
In their dramatic film, Solar Superstorms, Year 7 students Sophia and Scarlett explain the energy behind solar superstorms and the cataclysmic effects if one was to hit Earth. They use dance, humour and special effects in a production that saw them participate in a NASA citizen science project and rise at 4am to film the sunrise.
Primary school category
WINNER: Cate Y., PLC Sydney, NSW
In her fast-paced film about her favourite snack – popcorn – 11-year-old Cate conducts a series of experiments, including blowing the lid off a metal tin to show why popcorn kernels explode. Popcorn Magic: Unlocking the Energy Within covers different varieties of corn, energy and the laws of thermodynamics and solves the mystery of why some corn kernels don’t pop.
Runner-up: Ayra A., Mascot Public School, NSW
With humour and everyday examples, such as toys and playground equipment, seven-year-old Ayra explores complex energy concepts, including chemical, kinetic and gravitational potential. In The Energy in Everyday Things, she explains power generation and energy transfer, encouraging everyone to be mindful of their energy use. Her approach makes learning about energy fun and accessible.
Runner-up: Eugenia Y., PLC Sydney, NSW PLC Sydney, NSW
Eugenia hopes that her film Energy Adventure: Solar Panels at the Right Angle will inspire more people around the world to use solar power. The 10-year-old’s film explains why solar panels need to be angled differently in different parts of the world and conducts a comparative experiment in Sydney and southern New Zealand.
All finalists
Darcy B., Ashfield Boys High School, NSW
In The Crazy World of Chlorophyll, Darcy investigates the dominant colour in nature: green. With the help of animation and stop-motion, he explains why so many leaves and plants share the same traits, visualises the photosynthesis process and shares just how many living things rely on the superpower pigment, chlorophyll.
Alison P. and Kathlin Q., Lauriston Girls' School, Vic
Antioxidant-rich green tea has been known to reduce cell damage in the body. In their animation, How can drinking green tea prevent Alzheimer's Disease? Alison and Kathlin explain why the ancient Chinese drink may also be an effective natural preventative for memory loss and physical deterioration associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Jacob W., Bayview Secondary College, Tas
The combined challenges of population growth and climate change will require innovative, green solutions to food production. In Aquaponics: Tomorrow's Farming, Jacob explains how aquaponics – a form of fish farming – relies on the symbiotic relationship between fish, bacteria and plants to create a holistic, sustainable food system.
In Green Infrastructure: The Solution to Coastal Erosion, Anna uses humour and graphics to explain the phenomenon of coastal erosion and its causes in an accessible and entertaining way. She also highlights how green solutions such as vegetation and natural barriers can be used to protect homes and assets.
Chase M., Shellharbour Public School
The human eye discerns more shades of green than any other colour. In Nurinnurun-Green: The SEEN Colour, Chase combines drone video, claymation and stop-motion graphics to explain how the retina and the colour green (or Nurinnurun, in the local Dharawal language) have impacted human evolution and survival.
Sophia L. and Scarlett P., Wollongong Public School, NSW
Are the trees sharing secrets with each other beneath our feet? Sophia and Scarlett think so, and it’s a concept they explore in their educational and engaging video Intriguing InTREEnet, which uses timelapse animation, graphics and drone footage to explain mycelium networks and their role in the forest.
Iestyn R., St John's Anglican College, Forest Lake, Qld
Brain scanning technology shows that the human brain can adapt throughout our lives. In his film Neuroplasticity - You Can Change Your Brain, Iestyn uses colourful graphics to explain how neurons connect via synapses. Through everyday examples, he shows that when connections become crowded with data, learning prompts an editing process that makes space for new information.
Aidi H., Tara K., and Ellen Z., Lauriston Girls' School, Vic
Aidi, Tara and Ellen tell the story of COVID-19 variants through song. Changing Corona describes how virus mutations are caused by errors during reproduction. Although this means that mutations will appear for as long as the virus reproduces, the filmmakers remind us that humans can also change and adapt to manage new variants.
Marissa C., Somerville House, Qld
Finding Nemo is a fun movie but in Sex Change in Clownfish, Marissa shows the science is a little fishy. Combining expert opinion with graphics to map their complex reproductive hierarchy, she explains that all clownfish have male and female reproductive organs. This means if a breeding female is lost, the dominant male can switch sex to replace her.
Genevieve S., Bucasia State School, Qld
In Adaptation: Now That's Change! Genevieve examines how animals fit into their environment and what they must do to survive if their habitat changes. Combining graphics and close encounters with cuddly — and not-so-cuddly — creatures, she shows how adaptations happen over time and the sort of features that develop to help animals thrive.
Cattle farming produces large amounts of the greenhouse gas methane, but a possible solution might live in the sea. In A More Polite Belch, Charlotte uses humour and engaging graphics to show that by adding the red seaweed Asparagopsis to animal feed, the digestion of cows and sheep can be modified to drastically reduce their methane output.
In Stem Cells - Changing the Way We Heal, Zara uses colourful animations, expert interviews and an original experiment with a flatworm called Bob, to demonstrate the regenerative capacity of stem cells. She explains how pluripotent stem cells can become any type of cell in the body, with potential to promote growth and healing.
Adam Spencer, Dr Karl and Marcel Dinger with some of the Sleek Geek winners and runner ups.
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Details to come early 2025.
Visit the Australian Museum Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize for details about the competition.
