The Sunflower Competition inspires students to become the next generation of plant and agricultural scientists.
It provides interactive learning opportunities through school-based experiments and supports teachers to deliver their science curriculum in a plant-based context.
Registrations now open!
Registrations close Friday 13 February 2026
Competition growing commences Monday 23 February 2026
Competition growing concludes Friday 15 May 2026
2025 winners
Downlands College Year 9-10 won the 2025 UQ Sunflower Competiton with the heaviest sunflower weighing 831.7g.
See the full list of winners below.
2025 Competition Format
Choose the best option to suit your school.
Option 1
Schools plant during the recommended planting week between 24-28 February, following the competition rules and submit their entries online or via video (depending on the category) by the end of the growing period to be eligible for competition prize money. Videos due Friday 30 May.
Option 2
Schools select option 1 and in addition, prepare and submit entries in October to the Queensland Science Contest in ‘Communicating Science’ or ‘Scientific Investigations’ categories.
Option 3
If schools are unable to plant during this period, they have the option of planting later on in the year, experimenting outside the rules of the competition, with full access to competition resources to support experimental learning. Ineligible for prize money.
The UQ Sunflower Competition is proudly supported by the Australian Sunflower Association.
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