KIS Summary:
- The Da Vinci Decathlon Competition lets students work on critical thinking and teamwork.
- To prepare for the competition, read and work on the broad range of topics.
- Schools will usually organise practice sessions for participants.
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Table of Content:
- What is the Da Vinci Decathlon?
- Why should You Participate?
- How to Sign Up for the Competition?
- How to Prepare for the Competition?
- FAQs
What is the Da Vinci Decathlon?
Named after Leonardo Da Vinci, one of the world’s most renowned thinkers and scholars, the Da Vinci Decathlon is an academic competition where students compete in challenges across 10 disciplines - engineering, mathematics, code-breaking, science, English, ideation, creative producers, cartography, legacy, art and poetry - in teams of 8. The competition is open for students from years 5 to 11.
The competition is an initiative pioneered in 2002 at Knox Grammar School in Sydney. Since then, it has grown in participation across hundreds of Australian schools with events held annually in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania, with the nationals held in Sydney.
The themes change every year. For the 2025, events are on sustainability (regionals), light (state-level competitions) and turning points (national-level competition).
Why should You Participate?
The Da Vinci Decathlon Competition is an opportunity to practice and improve critical thinking skills, as well as collaborate with classmates to tackle a common goal. The decathlon encourages students to think analytically and laterally in a broad range of topics. Through engaging with such problems, students can improve their problem-solving ability, which is an important skill for life.
The competition also has a significant emphasis on logical reasoning and creativity among many other higher-order thinking skills. It is a platform for students to apply their skills in novel ways, and develop their confidence. These skills are crucial for handling real-world problems, and are highly regarded in academic and professional settings.
How to Sign Up for the Competition?
Depending on the student’s state of residence, the process for the Da Vinci Decathlon slightly varies. Keep an eye on the Da Vinci Decathlon events page to be aware of when sign up dates are confirmed.
Regional and state competitions generally take place in April, May or June, with nationals for year 7-10 teams taking place in Sydney. To be eligible for nationals, prospective teams must win first place overall in their state competition.
Registration for the competition is a school-based process, meaning that students are unable to sign up for the competition independently. Schools are, instead, responsible for forming the teams and registering them to participate in the competition.
To participate, enthusiastic students should discuss their interests and intentions with their school’s administration or relevant teacher(s). Schools then initiate and complete the registration process on behalf of their students – this often involves submitting team details as well as paying associated registration fees, which may vary depending on the region competed in.
How to Prepare for the Competition?
In general, it is advantageous to read broadly across all 10 disciplines in the decathlon: engineering, mathematics, code-breaking, science, english, ideation, creative producers, cartography, legacy, art and poetry. Additionally, practising integrating logical reasoning and critical thinking skills during school subjects, and focusing on developing a deep understanding of the principles of subjects can be really beneficial for the Da Vinci Decathlon and beyond.
Some activities you might want to do include:
- Analytical activities such as debates and learning from case studies through which potential issues, solutions and the reasoning behind them can be discussed.
- Problem-solving-based activities like math puzzles and brain teasers.
- Logic-based games like chess.
The official Da Vinci Decathlon website also has a section for resources, which can be a valuable source of preparation for participants. They can be accessed through the completion of a request form by a teacher.
In the lead-up to the decathlon, schools and teams typically organize practice and preparation sessions for the group of students, as teamwork is a fundamental element of the decathlon.
Conclusion
Academic competitions are a great way to work on soft skills, as well as broaden your perception of what you can do outside of school. You do not have to win the competition to gain something from it. As trite as it sounds, it is not the destination, but the journey that matters.
While competitions are not exactly coachable, there are skills and techniques that you can learn from a tutor still. So try a tutor from KIS Academics today:
For more resources and study tips, check out these KIS Academics articles:
Manoj Arachige
Manoj Arachige
Manoj Arachige
FAQs
How much does it cost?
Costs typically vary depending on the specific region or state competition signing up for. However, historically, it has ranged from $40 per student to $250 for a team of 8.
When is it usually held?
Dates have not been formalized for many regions, however, expect regional and state competitions to be held over several days in April, May or June. The 1st placing team from each state proceeds to nationals in Sydney.
How are the tasks marked?
In most of the disciplines, teachers from participating schools typically mark and score the tasks against a rubric, a process that is usually overseen by the adjudicator of the competition for the day. Arrangements are organized so that no staff members are asked to mark their own school’s response.
Are there practice tasks online?
Your teacher can request for resources from the organisers themselves. Moreover, since it is a team competition, it is better to practice together in school.
Written by Sue Nguyen who pursued a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from The University of Adelaide.
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