Our 2024 Rockstar of the Year: Tom’s “Fantastic Faults”
The overall winner, and well-deserved Rockstar of the Year, was Tom, whose innovative Fantastic Faults model and game brought geological faults to life. Using carefully layered pieces of wood to represent sedimentary rock, Tom’s design demonstrated how faults form and what happens to rock layers when they move under tectonic pressure. It was both educational and hands-on – a brilliant example of geology made fun and accessible!
Under 8s Brilliance
In the Under 8’s category, Walter won hearts (and prizes) with his colourful and clever collage titled A Very Gneiss Metamorphic Rock. Meanwhile, in the Move/Sound media category for the same age group, Rhibu wowed the judges with a vibrant video presentation all about Crinoids – those fascinating living fossils that still drift in our oceans today.
Rock Stars of the Pre-Teens
For the 9–12 Years category, Peregrine took first place with her beautiful Fossil Files booklet, featuring detailed illustrations and information about prehistoric treasures. In the Move/Sound section, Emma’s film All About Agates shone with both expertise and personality – a geode of a gem in its own right!
Teen Talent on Display
The 13–16 Years category saw a double win for Tom, who not only took the overall prize but also topped his age group with his Fantastic Faults. In the Movie/Sound category, Von impressed the judges with a powerful and well-researched film about the Permian-Triassic Mass Extinction – a devastating extinction event in Earth’s history, and a topic not for the faint-hearted!
Rock Writer Excellence
Our Rock Writer category, open to 16–18-year-olds, saw Jack take top honours with his captivating essay, Lava Lakes – A Geological Glimpse Below the Earth’s Crust. His writing demonstrated the depth of thought, research, and storytelling that geology inspires in young minds.
Looking Ahead: The 2025 Competition Is Now Open!
With so many outstanding entries last year, we can’t wait to see what this year’s budding geologists will create. The 2025 Rockstar Young Geologists’ Competition is officially open – and we’re calling on all explorers, fossil hunters, rock collectors, storytellers, filmmakers, and model-makers to get involved!
Whether you’re inspired by volcanoes or trilobites, earthquakes or crystals, there’s a place for your project. You have all summer long to explore, research, create, and share your geological passions with us.
Be inspired. Get outside. Discover geology. And tell us what you find.
We’re ready to be amazed – are you ready to rock?
Deadline for entries: 31st August 2025
See full entry details and guidelines.
Generously supported by the Anglo American Foundation.
