2025 UQ Science Ambassador: Mini Scientist Photo Competition

Unleash Your Creativity and Bring Your Mini Scientist to Life!

Welcome to the UQ Mini Scientist Photo Competition, a unique opportunity for schools involved in the 2025 UQ Science Ambassador Program!

This is your opportunity to showcase your creativity, by capturing a high-quality photo of your Mini Scientist in action, alongside a fun, engaging caption that explains the scientist's work. Entries will be judged on scientific creativity, educational value, and communication, so team up and think outside the box!

Nominations are now closed.

Submissions Now Open!

Submit your photo

There is no entry fee for the UQ Mini Scientist Photo Competition.

How to Enter

Review the Rules: Read the full terms and conditions for the 2025 UQ Mini Scientist Photo Competition.
School Nomination: The Ambassador teacher must submit a nomination for their school by emailing sciamb@uq.edu.au. Once nominated, the Science Ambassador Team will send ONE Mini Scientist to the Ambassador teacher at the school.
Entry Preparation:
- UQ Science Ambassadors will take and select ONE high-quality photo of their Mini Scientist in action.
- Other Requirements:
  - Assign the Mini Scientist a Name and Scientific Specialty (e.g. Professor Plankton - Marine Biologist)
  - Create a short, creative caption (max 50 words) explaining what the Mini Scientist is doing in the photo.
  - Include the names and surnames of the UQ Science Ambassadors who participated in putting together the entry.
- UQ Science Ambassadors provide these details to their Ambassador teacher.
Entry Submission: The Ambassador teacher will then submit the selected photo and accompanying details via the official submission form that will be live on the website by Monday 16 June.

Submission Guidelines

Entry Limitation: Each school may submit ONE entry per Science Ambassador School.
Submission Method: All entries must be submitted using the official online submission form.
Submission Period: Entries will be accepted from Monday 16 June to Wednesday 23 July. Late or misdirected entries will not be considered.
Photo File Requirements: Upload your image in JPG or PNG format, with a maximum file size of 15MB.
Artwork Requirements: Entrants must affirm that they are the sole creators of their artwork. Only original, non-AI generated photos will be accepted. Video entries or QR codes will not be accepted and will lead to disqualification. Stock images or clip art will also lead to disqualification.
Confirmation: After submission, you will receive an email confirmation.
Submission Process: All entries will be judged by a panel, and the panel reserves the right to withhold awards in any category. Finalists will be selected based on the submitted image and accompanying information.

Evaluation Criteria

Scientific Creativity
How original and imaginative is the scientific scenario? Judges will assess the uniqueness and thought-provoking nature of the scene, focusing on how creatively the Mini Scientist is portrayed in a science-related setting.

Educational Value
Does the entry inspire learning and curiosity about science? Entries should introduce new concepts, spark interest in scientific ideas or real-world applications, and be communicated in an age-appropriate, engaging way.

Caption and Communication
How effectively does the caption enhance the photo? The caption should clearly and creatively explain what the Mini Scientist is doing, making the scene fun, engaging, and informative.

Terms and Conditions

The University of Queensland (UQ) Faculty of Science is conducting a ‘2025 UQ Science Ambassador Mini Scientist Photo Competition’ (Promotion). Be sure to review the full terms and conditions before submitting an entry. They provide important details about eligibility, submission guidelines, evaluation criteria, and key dates. Understanding these guidelines will help ensure a smooth entry process and give participants the best chance at success!