Scientific Photography

Preparing your entry

• Theme for 2026: Taking Over Nature

Your high resolution image should capture an example of a plant, insect, or pathogen that is not native to Aotearoa New Zealand and is spreading in a way that affects natural or productive ecosystems. This may include species that move through the environment in different ways, such as those carried by wind, water, animals, or human activity.

Examples could include introduced moths or beetles, fungal diseases, wind-borne spores, or seed-dispersed plants that are extending beyond their usual range and impacting native biodiversity, forestry, agriculture, or local habitats.

Alongside the photograph, include a short explanation describing how your image represents Taking Over Nature in scientific terms. This should include:

• the species name (common and scientific name)
• how the species spreads
• the characteristics that enable it to establish and spread in new environments
• the impacts it has on ecosystems or production systems

Submit Your Entry by 26 June 2026 (Digital Entry)

• Only one entry per person
• Photograph entries must be submitted in jpg/jpeg format.
• The filename must be in the following format: section code – school year – xxx . For example, if you are in year 10, and you enter the scientific photography, your filename would be: SP-10-xxx. Your school and ID will be added automatically to the name of the file.
• Before you upload your file, please check it’s in the correct format and rename it.  Otherwise, the judges may not be able to open your work and you may be disqualified.

If you wish your work to be displayed at the fair, you must print an A4 copy of your photograph and mount it on a black paper sheet. Make sure that on the black margin you indicate your first and last name, your school, your year level and most importantly your description. The mounting will ensure that your work is not damaged by the staples. Please deliver your hard copy to Elemental Group Taranaki Science and Technology Fair, Level 6, 54 Gill Street, New Plymouth. Please ensure your entry is correctly labelled using the filename you used when you submitted your digital entry.