About
In the Sir Paul Callaghan Eureka! Awards year 11-13 students and tertiary students deliver 12-minute presentations about how an application of science or technology will benefit New Zealand.
A successful Eureka! presentation will demonstrate:
Knowledge of a science, technology, engineering or mathematics topic
How the topic can be (or is being) applied to enable benefit to New Zealand’s economic, environmental and/or social wealth and well-being, so helping deliver on Sir Paul Callaghan’s ambitions for New Zealand
The ability to communicate clearly and succinctly to a general audience comprising people from the business and the scientific communities as well as the wider public
Entry
Entry into the Sir Paul Callaghan Eureka! Awards is open to all secondary school students year 11-13 and undergraduate tertiary students, younger than 25. Full entry requirements can be found here.
Competition Process
Register your interest in the Eureka! Awards (Click here to do this now)
Prepare your presentation
Submit your presentation name and select your scholarships
Submit a video of your six-minute presentation to the virtual region
The twelve best presentations are selected by the National Finals Selection Panel
The twelve finalists present their twelve-minute presentations at the National Finals
Awards, Scholarships and Internships
Each year the contestant who the Judges decide has delivered the best presentation is awarded the Sir Paul Callaghan Eureka! Premier Award, and prize money totalling $10,000.
The Judges also select three runners up who receive Highly Commended Awards, plus prize money of $5,000.
The remaining eight contestants who were selected as National Finalists each receive a Merit Award, and prize money of $1,500.
As well as the Awards and prize money a number of Scholarships are also available to contestants to help fund their tertiary studies. While most of the Scholarships reflect the issues identified in the National Science Challenges there are also special Scholarships available for Maori and Pasifika students. See the full list of Scholarships at the link below.
Contestants in the Eureka! Awards can also apply for Internships. Internships support contestants to build up knowledge and experience.
Judging Criteria
Throughout the competition, contestants will be judged on their ability to demonstrate:
Knowledge of an area of science, technology, engineering or mathematics
How their area of knowledge and interest can be (or is being) applied to enable tangible benefit to New Zealand’s economic, environmental and social wealth and wellbeing, so helping deliver on Sir Paul’s ambition for New Zealand
The presence and capability to communicate clearly, succinctly and persuasively to a general audience comprising people from business and the political arenas as well as the wider public
In addition, at the national level, contestants will be judged on their ability to demonstrate:
Agility and thoughtfulness when responding to questions on their presentation
Check out the Judges Scoring Sheet
Premier Award Winners
Premier Award Winners
