From stealthy spores to disease-defying crops—in 2026 we're putting the spotlight on plant pathogens, and the impact plant diseases have on agricultural industries and global food security.
Who can enter
All students from prep to year 12 in government, independent, Catholic, home or distance education schools across Australia are eligible to enter. You can enter as a class group, small team or an individual.
Queensland students can also enter their projects in the Science Teachers Association of Queensland Science Contest.
Your tasks
Enter in 1 ormore of the competition's 3 categories. Competition instructions and guidelines will be available in January, and are sent after registering your school for the competition.
Email us if you need a free experiment kit.
Science Project Awards
Select an area of interest with the theme of Fungal forensics and design your own experiments or activities (or follow our pre-designed examples).
Keep a science journal and complete a scientific report, poster, video, podcast or other creative entry explaining your findings and research—highlighting links between plant diseases, agricultural industries, biosecurity, global food security and our daily lives.
Find out more about the Science Project Awards.
Art in AgRiculTure Awards
Create and submit an artwork (any style or medium, 2D or 3D) about Fungal forensics.
Find out more about the Art in AgRiculTure Awards.
Guardians of Earth April Global BioQuest
Go on a fun, citizen science adventure using the Spirits of the Realm mobile game—open your eyes to our beautiful environment and the various species that inhabit our native ecosystems. Your mission is to capture (with photos) as many plant diseases, fungi, weeds, insects and animals as possible.
Life is full of hidden treasures, but our native environment and agricultural industries are under threat from organisms that attack our plants—now is your chance to save them!
Contact the Guardians of Earth team join the Guardians of Earth April Global BioQuest.
Prizes
A huge range of prizes are on offer to students who submit entries in the competition.
All prizes are presented at the annual Awards Day and Agricultural Science Expo in Warwick in August.
2026 winners
The 2026 competition has closed. See our 2026 winners.
Contact us
Email HermitageCompetition@dpi.qld.gov.au
Call 13 25 23
Join our Facebook group for competition updates.
Last updated: 27 Aug 2026