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Week 1 Winner: Izumi U

Trace a Family Tree with Genetic Traits

Understanding genetics helps us explore how traits are passed from one generation to the next. This week, we challenge you to investigate your own family tree and identify inherited traits.

Materials:

• Paper and pen, or computer

Here is your challenge:

1. Research basic genetic traits such as height, eye colour, ear lobe attachment, hair type, dimples, height, handedness, and tongue-rolling ability etc.
2. Interview at least three family members to learn about their traits. The more the better!
3. Research Punnett squares to see which traits are able to be predicted, and if the probability of your inherited traits is accurate for eye colour, ear lobe attachment etc. A Punnett square won't work for all traits like height or hair colour.
4. Draw a family tree, marking inherited traits for each person. Include multiple generations if possible.
5. Highlight patterns of inheritance and any interesting observations.
6. Take a photo of you with your family tree diagram.

What to submit:

• A photo of your family tree with notes on inherited traits. Include at least one Punnett square.
• A written explanation of interesting findings.
• Submit your work here 

Submissions will be judged based on:

• Clarity and accuracy of the family tree, and Punnett squares.
• Identification of inherited traits.
• Creativity in presentation.

The week one challenge submission closes on 11.59pm on Sunday 10th August AEST. 

When will the winners be announced
The winner will be announced on Tuesday 12^th August. More than one winner may be selected. The winning entry will be posted to our Facebook, Instagram and on the website. The winner will be notified by email. Other submissions may be included in an Instagram story, if you don't want your photo included, please let us know when you submit it.

Competition rules
Remember, this is all about your creativity and skills, so no sneaky copy-pasting from Google image searches is allowed! Let's keep it fun, fair, and full of originality!
Please let us know if you have any questions about the challenge or what you are required to do. You can contact us at science@anu.edu.au.

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Week 2 Winner: Seunghwan J

DIY Seismograph: Record Earth’s Vibrations

Earthquakes send waves through the ground, and with a few simple materials you can build a device to detect those vibrations! This week’s challenge is to create a working seismograph and test how it responds to movement.

Materials:

• Paper
• Pen or marker
• String or thread
• Cup or small container
• Weights (like small rocks or marbles)
• Tall box or frame (e.g. shoebox, cereal box, or frame from recycled materials)
• Tape

Here is your challenge:

1. Research how a basic seismograph works, and ways you can build your own. Be as creative as you like!
2. The key things to include are a base, a way to suspend the pen, and some paper underneath to capture the shaking.
3. Use household or recycled materials to build your own DIY seismograph that records shaking — even small movements from tapping or jumping nearby.
4. Your seismograph should include a suspended pen or marker that draws on a strip of paper.
5. Test your seismograph in different ways — walk past it, jump nearby, or gently shake the surface it’s sitting on. Record if bigger movements create bigger waves.
6. Record a seismogram, the drawing your device makes in response to movement.
7. Take a photo or short video of your DIY Seismograph in action.

What to submit:

• A photo or video of your DIY Seismograph in action, and a picture of the paper result.
• Submit your work here

Submissions will be judged based on:

• Creativity
• If the seismograph is able to record any movement
• That you have included a photo or video of your DIY Seismograph in action

The week two challenge submission closes on 11.59pm on Sunday 17th August AEST. 

When will the winners be announced
The winner will be announced on Tuesday 19^th August. More than one winner may be selected. The winning entry will be posted to our Facebook, Instagram and on the website. The winner will be notified by email. Other submissions may be included in an Instagram story, if you don't want your photo included, please let us know when you submit it.

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Winner: Elisee L

Design a floating table using engineering systems 
Ever seen a table that seems to float in the air? Tensegrity structures use physics, tension, and balance to stay upright without traditional supports. This week, your challenge is to design and build a tensegrity object using cardboard and string. This activity introduces you to the principles of structural and mechanical engineering systems, where professionals use innovative techniques to build bridges, towers, and other structures that balance loads and forces with efficiency and creativity. 

Materials:

• Cardboard (recycled is fine!)
• String or fishing line
• Scissors (with adult supervision)
• Glue or tape
• Ruler
• Hole punch (optional)

Here is your challenge:

1. Do some internet research to understand the basics of a tensegrity structure.
2. Use cardboard and string to build your own tensegrity object. It can be a table, sculpture, or abstract shape. You can use other materials if you like, but recycled is best.
3. Push the boundaries! Try designing something unique, colourful, funky shapes, extra layers, or a surprising twist.
4. Think like an engineer: explain how your design uses engineering principles such as tension, compression, balance, and load distribution.
5. Reflect on how these principles are applied in mechanical or structural engineering (e.g., bridges, towers, skyscrapers, or stadiums).
6. Take a photo or short video of your tensegrity object.

What to submit:

• A photo of you with your tensegrity object
• A short written explanation or 1-minute video describing:
  • How your object works (what holds it up?)
  • Which engineering principles you used
  • What inspired your design
• Submit your work here

Submissions will be judged based on:

• Photo includes you and your tensegrity object
• Creativity and originality of your tensegrity design
• Clarity of explanation of the engineering principles
• Functionality – does your structure hold together and stand on its own?
• Presentation – clear photo and engaging explanation 

The week three challenge submission closes on 11.59pm on Sunday 24th August AEST. 

When will the winners be announced
The winner will be announced on Tuesday 26^th August. More than one winner may be selected. The winning entry will be posted to our Facebook, Instagram and on the website. The winner will be notified by email. Other submissions may be included in an Instagram story, if you don't want your photo included, please let us know when you submit it.

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Winner: Divyansh P

Design a tech clothing or accessory
Welcome to your final challenge! Solar-powered shirts that charge phones, UV-detecting hats, light-up shoes to see where you walk in the dark, or hoodies made from passive heating or cooling materials. This week, you are challenged to redesign a piece of clothing or accessory using engineering or smart technology, to improve the life of the user.

Materials:

• Paper and pen or computer
• Optional: recycled materials, craft supplies, or fabric scraps for a model or prototype

Here is your challenge:

1. Choose a piece of clothing or an accessory (e.g. a shirt, hat, bag, shoes, or jacket).
2. Brainstorm how you could redesign it using engineering systems or smart technology. Some ideas include:
   • A shirt with solar fabric to charge a phone
   • A hat with built-in UV sensors
   • Shoes that light up or track steps
   • A bag made from recycled materials with hidden storage or sensors
   • A hoodie that uses cooling or heating materials
3. Create a sketch or model of your redesigned item. Label its new features.
4. Write a short explanation of the engineering system you used (e.g. solar panels, sensors, renewable energy, sustainable materials).
5. Optional: If you’re feeling creative, assemble a prototype using recycled or craft materials.

What to submit:

• A photo of your sketch, model, or prototype. You are welcome to put your ideas into an image generator and submit this, but you must also submit your original sketches.
• A short written or video explanation of your redesign and the science behind it

Submissions will be judged based on:

• Creativity and originality of the design
• Clarity in explaining the engineering system
• Feasibility and sustainability of the idea
• Presentation and effort

The week four challenge submission closes on 11.59pm on Sunday 31st August AEST. 

When will the winners be announced
The winner will be announced on Tuesday 2^nd September. More than one winner may be selected. The winning entry will be posted to our Facebook, Instagram and on the website. The winner will be notified by email. Other submissions may be included in an Instagram story, if you don't want your photo included, please let us know when you submit it.