Year 9 & 10 Science Tournament
The Year 9 & 10 Science Tournament is an exciting new team-based event that challenges students to investigate real scientific problems and defend their ideas in a lively scientific debate on tournament day.
Teams will be given three open-ended science questions ahead of the tournament. Students can then spend time researching the topic, designing and running investigations, and developing their own explanations or solutions. Teams are encouraged to think creatively and use scientific evidence to support their ideas. They may seek guidance and support from teachers, family members, or others while preparing their work, however at the tournament itself students have to defend their presentation without assistance.
Venue: New Plymouth Boys’ High School
Tournament Date: Sunday, 2 August 2026 from 8.30am
Spectators: Parents and supporters are welcome to come and watch the matches as spectators.
Prize: TBC
Tell me more…
At the tournament, teams present their findings in a “science battle” format. One team acts as the Reporter, presenting their investigation and conclusions, while another team takes on the role of Opponent, questioning the methods, evidence, and reasoning behind the presentation. A Juror oversees the discussion and ensures the scientific debate remains constructive and focused.
Teams earn points for both presenting their own scientific work clearly and convincingly, and for critically analysing and questioning the work of other teams. Students must think on their feet, defend their ideas, and respond to scientific questions in front of judges and peers.
The Year 9 & 10 Science Tournament celebrates curiosity, teamwork, and scientific thinking, and provides students with a fun opportunity to develop skills in investigation, reasoning, communication, and scientific debate.
Templates to support students to create their presentations along with scoring guidelines are available.
An example of a problem might be: “Put as many drops of water as you can onto a 10 cent coin. Investigate the parameters that affect the number of drops of water the coin can hold before spilling.”
Click here for full details.
2026 Problems / Entries
Problem 1 – Melting Ice
All around the world, during winter time and icy conditions, the roads need to remain open.
Road workers spread salty sand on the roads. Investigate how salt and other environmental
factors affect the rate at which an ice cube melts.
Problem 2: Wet Scroll
Gently place a piece of tracing paper on the surface of water. It rapidly curls into a scroll and
then slowly uncurls. Explain and investigate this phenomenon.
Note: Tracing paper is a thin, translucent type of paper that allows you to see through it. It’s
mainly used for copying or transferring drawings, designs, or text from one surface to another.
Tracing paper is not the same as the baking paper sometimes used in class to trace over a
drawing. Tracing paper is a specific paper and can be found in any stationary store. It comes
in different paper sizes and paper thicknesses.
Problem 3: Fruit Battery
A simple cell can be made using a zinc-coated nail and a copper coin stuck into a piece of
fruit. Investigate the power (voltage and current) that can be delivered by a battery of fruit
cells.
Entry Notes
- Teams must be made up of at least two, but no more than six students.
- Schools may enter up to four teams.
- Each team must have its own teacher/mentor.
- Teachers/mentors will form part of the juror’s panel on tournament day.
- Teams are not permitted to collaborate.
- Problems and the entry form will be published on 1 June 2026 on this page.