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STEM enrichment design competition

Design an innovative enrichment tool for a Taronga animal.

Students are invited to take on a real‑world STEM challenge by designing an enrichment object that supports the physical and cognitive stimulation of a Taronga Zoo animal. The winning design will recieve a Free class excursion to Taronga Zoo.

About

Zookeepers and volunteers at Taronga dedicate significant time to creating enrichment that supports animal wellbeing. This competition invites teachers to engage students in an authentic, real‑world STEM challenge, where they design and prototype an innovative enrichment object for either the echidna or pygmy marmosets at Taronga Zoo.


Entries are judged by a panel of Taronga’s behavioural scientists and zookeepers, providing students with genuine feedback. The winning entry is rewarded with a FREE class excursion to the Zoo, giving students the opportunity to meet the judges and see their design used with the animals. 

The competition opens in Term 3, 2026.

What is animal enrichment?

Animal enrichment enhances zoo environments by aligning with an animal’s natural behaviours, biology, and habitat. Thoughtfully designed enrichment increases behavioural choice, encourages species‑appropriate activity, and improves animal welfare.

Students will explore how enrichment supports animal wellbeing and apply this knowledge through an authentic design challenge.

The challenge

Students will:

Identify & define

Select one of the featured animals and explore their behavioural needs using the enrichment competition resources.

Research & plan

Investigate the animal’s natural behaviours, physiology, and existing enrichment approaches to inform a thoughtful design solution.

Produce & implement

Design and prototype an enrichment object that can be safely added to and removed from an animal exhibit.

Test & evaluate

Use the Enrichment Design Checklist to ensure the design meets welfare, safety, and functionality criteria.

The 2026 animals

This year, students can choose to design their enrichment for either an echidna or a pygmy marmoset.

  • The pygmy marmoset is the world's smallest monkey, weighing only 100–140 grams. 
  • The echidna’s tongue is very long and sticky enabling it to collect large
    quantities of ants and termites when eating.

Enrichment Design Unit of Work & Resources

The prize

Winning designs are judged by a panel of Taronga Zoo behavioural scientists and zookeepers.

Selected winners will receive:
- FREE entry for their entire class to visit Taronga Zoo Sydney or Taronga Western Plains Zoo
- A chance to meet the expert judges
- The opportunity to see their enrichment design being used by the animals

2025 winner: Yellow-Bellied Glider

Winner
Darcy (St Gregory's College Campbelltown)

Highly Commended

Charlotte (Habberfield Public School)

2025 winner: Meerkat

Winner
Michael (St Aloysius Catholic Primary School Cronulla)

 

Highly Commended
Patrick, Liam, Aengus, Mason, Cooper, Theo (Sydney Church of England Grammar School)
Vivienne (St Aloysius Catholic Primary School Cronulla)
Matejan (St Aloysius Catholic Primary School Cronulla)
Michael (St Gregory's College Campbelltown)
Skye (St Francis de Sales Primary Catholic School Woolooware)

2024 winner: Dingo

Winner

Kai, (St Francis De Sales Catholic Primary School)

 

Highly Commended

Hugo (St Francis De Sales Catholic Primary School)

Isla (St Francis De Sales Catholic Primary School)

Nathan (St Francis De Sales Catholic Primary School)

Xavier (St Francis De Sales Catholic Primary School)

Elyse (St Francis De Sales Catholic Primary School)

2024 winner: Platypus

Winner

Elizabeth - St Columba's Leichhardt North

 

Highly Commended

Lachlan (St Francis De Sales Catholic Primary School)
Francis (St Columba's Primary School Leichhardt)
Taj (Avalon Public School)
Damia (Hunters Hill High School)

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