Rules

For the purposes of this program, the following definition of biotechnology is used:

"Biotechnology is the use of the knowledge of biological systems to produce goods and services."

  • A project is deemed relevant if the content relates to the various applications of biotechnology such as health care, agriculture and forestry, food processing, mining and the environment, and forensics; and it applies the knowledge and techniques of scientific studies such as biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology and biotechnology.

  • The project must include scientific experiments that recognise and control all significant variables and demonstrate excellent collection, analysis and presentation of data. Students do not necessarily need access to a ‘wet lab’ research can be done at home, in the school lab or in the field.

  • The project should not involve the use of any dangerous chemicals or biohazardous materials, except under the direct supervision of qualified personnel with appropriate permission and consent forms completed.

  • The project should conform in general with the International Science and Engineering Fair Guidelines, available from http://www.sciserv.org/isef/about/rules_regulations.asp

  • Students must work individually on a unique research question. The project can be either a small component of a current research program, or a stand alone project.

  • Students are able to undertake ongoing research across multiple years of the Challenge, submitting the current work for judging each year.

  • Participation in the BioGENEius Challenge is an extra-curricular activity.

Project requirements

  • Students and mentors are committing to working on the project for one year. Projects should commence in April of the competition year. Project submissions will be due in January of the following year.

  • If both student and mentor wish, research may be continued across multiple years. The student submits the current work for judging each year. The decision to continue together can be made at the conclusion of each project year.

  • Students are responsible for organising travel to and from lab sessions, meetings with their mentor and BioGENEius workshops.

  • The time required for the student to work on their projects will vary. Work may be conducted at home, at the school, with the mentor or in the mentor’s lab. As a guide, the mentor should expect to have contact with the student at least once a fortnight and possibly more frequently during the participant’s school holidays.

  • Students will not be able to select their own research topic. Students are matched with a mentor and will work within their mentor’s research area. The specific research question within this area may be negotiated.

  • Scientists may nominate a student they wish to mentor.