The categories for the Manukau Region Science and Technology Fair are:

Category 1

Years 7 & 8 Living World (i.e. biological – plants, animals, humans, etc.)

Category 2

Years 7 & 8 Physical and Material World (i.e. physics – heat, light, sound, energy etc., chemistry – properties and reactions)

Category 3

Years 7 & 8 Environmental Science/Planet Earth & Beyond (i.e. environmental studies/projects and rocks etc.)

Category 4

Years 7 & 8 Intermediate Consumer Science (i.e. product testing)

Category 5

Years 7 – 10 Technology/Innovations (i.e. technological devices, electronics, modifying and creating products)

Category 6

Years 9 & 10 Living World

Category 7

Years 9 & 10 Physical & Material World

Category 8

Years 9 & 10 Environmental Science/Planet Earth & Beyond

Category 9

Years 9-13 Secondary Consumer Science

Category 10

Year 6 Science and Technology

Category 11

Years 11, 12 & 13 Senior Science

Criteria for Special Awards are listed below:

Special Awards	Criteria	Sponsor
Premier Award	Best Overall in the Fair	NIWA
Eric Clague Award	Second Overall in the Fair	Kiwanis Club of Counties Manukau
IET Innovation Awards	Judged by IET	Institute of Engineering and Technology
Student Encouragement Award	Judged by Chief Judge	Auckland Science Teachers Association
Best Project Using Flour		Baking Industry Research Trust
Best Use of Statistics		NZ Statistical Association
Best Soil Related Project		NZ Society of Soil Science
Hands-On Otago Award	Best application of the scientific method (Judged by Otago University representative)	Otago University
Best Application of Electronics		NIWA
Environment Award	Best overall project with an Environmental theme	NIWA
NZ Heritage Award	Project that demonstrates or exemplifies a study of processes or products related to the past	NIWA
Best Project by a Maori Student	Students must identify as Maori on the registration form to be eligible for this award.	Manukau Institute of Technology
Best Project by a Pasifika Student	Students must identify as Pasifika on the registration form to be eligible for this award.	Manukau Institute of Technology
Awards for Best Project in Years 7-13	Best overall prize for a particular year group	NIWA
Auckland Transport Award	Best project relating to safe and sustainable transport.	Auckland Transport
Scientific Method Award	Most thorough use of the scientific method by a Year 7 or Year 8 student.	Science Award Trust