AI Policy

The Oliphant Science Awards (OSA) encourage creativity, originality and integrity in student work. This policy outlines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in competition entries. It is adapted from the South Australian Department for Education AI policy and the Australian Framework for Generative AI in Schools. Click here to download the full policy. 

Principles

• Student learning and originality must remain at the centre of all OSA entries.
• AI can be a valuable tool when used appropriately and transparently.
• All entries must reflect the student’s own thinking, design and effort.
• Coordinators and parents play a role in supporting authenticity.

Acceptable Use of AI in Entries

Students may use AI in the following ways, provided use is acknowledged:

• Spelling and grammar support (e.g. checking a draft).
• Image editing tools for poster layout, design or formatting.
• Data analysis (e.g. handling large datasets in Science Investigations).
• Brainstorming ideas or generating prompts to guide their own work.

Unacceptable Use of AI in Entries

• Submitting AI-generated text, images, graphs or code as the student’s own original work without acknowledgment.
• Using AI to complete the majority of the project, replacing the student’s own research, design or analysis.
• Using AI in categories where the rules specifically prohibit it (e.g. Science Writing must be entirely student-authored).

Acknowledgement of AI Use

• Students must clearly acknowledge any AI tools used, including:
• The tool/platform name (e.g. ChatGPT, Canva, DALL-E).
• The purpose (e.g. “used to check spelling”, “used to generate draft graphs”, “used to analyse raw data”).
• This acknowledgement should be included in the student’s written statement or project log.

Coordinator Verification

• Coordinators are required to verify that entries are substantially the student’s own work.

Judging Considerations

• Rubrics will be updated to ensure fair assessment of AI-assisted work.
• Judges will consider whether AI has been used transparently and appropriately.
• Over-reliance on AI, or lack of acknowledgement, may reduce a project’s score or lead to disqualification.