Register your school

To apply for a Curious Minds Award, you'll first need to register your school with us. If you haven't already done so, register now.

New applicants for the Platinum Award 2023 are no longer being accepted.

The deadline for submission of your SFI Curious Minds Applications is 5pm on 21 April 2023.

Register

 

Submit your entry

Once you've registered, you will receive a confirmation email with your SESAME system login details. You will use SESAME to submit your Curious Minds Awards entry.

When you log in to SESAME, you can choose to apply for either a Silver, Gold or Platinum level award.

Go to Application form

A school can only apply for one level of Award in a year.

Our Platinum Award is limited to 50 schools, so please apply early if your school is interested in submitting for this level.

Award levels

How to use SESAME

We only accept applications via SESAME. We cannot accept email applications, nor hard copy applications or applications saved to a USB, CD, or DVD.

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This video guides you through the process of completing your application for the SFI Curious Minds Award using the online application system SESAME.

Log of Evidence

When you apply, you'll be asked to supply a log of evidence. This is proof of the STEM work you've outlined in your application.

Your log must show proof of learners engaging in STEM. Teacher accounts and lesson plans are not enough.

How to create a log of evidence

How you present your log of evidence is up to you. It can take the form of a PowerPoint presentation, Word document, PDF, school blog or website.

Your log should be divided into the following sections:

  • Science
  • Technology
  • Engineering
  • Maths
  • STEM Show and Tell

Each section should show the evidence you're providing for each activity. Please label these clearly so the judging panel can match each piece of evidence to each activity.

You might choose to include any of the following media as evidence that learners have engaged in STEM:

  • photos
  • videos
  • written student accounts
  • student quotes

Please make sure any links in your log are publicly accessible.

We've created a template that you're welcome to use to start your very own log of evidence.

Platinum Award applications

If you're applying for a Platinum Award, you will need to include evidence of improvement as a result of your work.

You can submit this as a slideshow. Your slideshow might include written reflections, quotes, photos and videos.