The twin brothers' project on non conscious gender bias won the best in fair award at the Aurora Otago Science and Technology Fair, held at the Otago Museum's Hutton Theatre yesterday.
The pair surveyed more than 200 people, mostly pupils of the same age, asking them to indicate appropriate punishments for workplace mistakes in three professions.
The offending workers - engineers, nurses or chemists - had gender neutral names, accompanied by a photo of a man or woman.
The pair said they found harsher fines were dished out to people doing a job typically associated with their gender.
''Certainly, people are portrayed as different characters,'' Samuel said.
''People expect certain people to do certain jobs.''
Timothy said the idea for the project, named ''Do I look like a scientist to you?'', came about when they were given a ''special edition'' Lego set on women scientists by their mother.
''We thought it was kind of odd because a lot of women are scientists.''
The pair approached the University of Otago psychology department to help design their research.
Timothy said there was probably little that could be done to change people's attitudes.
''They are created in the community they're living in. Everything is telling them this, so they just think it.''
The fair received 270 entries from 25 schools across Otago.
They were on display last week at the Hutton Theatre.
Timothy and Samuel received $150 each for their award.
They said it would go to charity or towards saving for university.
Fair convener Steve Sexton said he continued to be amazed by the calibre of entries.
''Every year, several students produce notable research, all while attending school.
''We look forward to witnessing young scientists test the boundaries with their limitless creativity ... again next year.''
