Mastery Psychology students (Year 13s) ran their own showcase of their own psychological research. Students designed research themselves relevant to cognitive, social, sport psychology. They were required to design their own methodology and meet Ethic Board approval in preparation for running psychological research on RSHS students.
The sheer scale of this year's fair was it's largest yet with 104 brilliant Year 13 Psychology students involved, 62 unique pieces of research, 600 participants & 9 expert judges representing various scientific disciplines.
We were privileged to welcome a panel of nine judges, including top academics from the University of Waikato, who also generously sponsored our prizes. To say the judges were impressed would be an understatement. They were blown away by the rigorous methodology, critical thinking, and professionalism on display, with a Waikato Academic noting: "The work these students are completing is easily at the standard of third-year university students.".
The 2026 Awards & Recipients
A massive congratulations to this year's award winners and honourable mentions!
1. Most Engaging Piece of Research Award
Criteria: Encourages hands-on or participatory experiences where visitors can actively participate in an interactive task or experiment.
WINNER: Erin Orchard
Research Focus: The aim of this research is to investigate if the amount of sleep an individual has over the last 3 nights affects their reaction time in 11-18 year olds.
Honourable Mentions: Izzy Hagar-Dent & Ruby Hayes, Matthew Swart, Madison & Emma, Flora, Ayaan & Dan.
2. Most Creative Stand Award
Criteria: Recognises originality, professional aesthetics, and creativity in props and visual displays.
WINNER: Lucy Stirling & Dayna Oliver
Research Focus: The aim of my research is to investigate whether lo-Fi music affects the task performance of high school students aged 11-18.
Honourable Mentions: Ayaan & Dan, Anah & Asherra, Selina & Crystal, Briar & Kyra, Kyla & Ashlee.
3. Most Purposeful Research Award
Criteria: Recognises research with a strong connection to modern, real-life issues in 2026, benefiting the school or wider community.
WINNER: Ailee Foster & Nicola Le Hane
Research Focus: Does the presence of an unsilenced phone unconsciously affect our concentration and ability to focus for longer periods?
Honourable Mentions: Tiare, Akimi & Ashmeen, Erin O, Fei Fei & Sam, Anah & Asherra, Daisy & Rose.
4. Professional Researcher Award
Criteria: Awarded to the most enthusiastic and professional researchers who interacted positively and confidently with participants.
WINNER: Kyla Manzon & Ashlee Wilkie:
Research Focus: The aim of this research is to investigate whether the volume/scale of payoffs affects whether people make choices for collective gain or personal benefit.
Honourable Mentions: Ayaan, Briar & Kyra, Holly & Rosa, Ella P, Ruby & Izzy.
5. Innovative Procedure Award
Criteria: Showcases clever, valid, reliable, and replicable data collection methods that go beyond basic testing.
WINNER: Gemma Martin
Research Focus: The aim of this research is to investigate whether people judge others based on their physical appearance through examining whether the attractiveness of suspects influences how guilty high school students believe they are in a criminal case, using the psychological concept of the halo effect.
Honourable Mentions: Ella P, Taylor M, Kian W, Marilyn & Finn, Kyra & Briar.
6. Judge’s Favourite Piece of Research Award
Criteria: The ultimate panel pick combining creativity, engagement, clarity, exceptional effort, and strict ethical standards.
WINNER: Daisy Gower & Rose Baker
Research Focus: The aim of this research is to investigate whether sensory stimulation from a NEEDO affects an 11-17 year old’s attention and how this affects short-term memory span.
Honourable Mentions: Ella P, Anah & Asherra, Briar & Kyra, Erin O, Kyla & Ashlee.
Thank you to the University of Waikato for their ongoing sponsorship, to our wonderful judges for their time and expertise, and to everyone who came out to support our students. The future of psychology is looking incredibly bright.
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