Highlights of the 2025 National Science Week Travelling Launch

The Queensland National Science Week Travelling Launch 2025 was a vibrant celebration of science, innovation, and community spirit, journeying through seven towns across Central and Western Queensland from August 6 to August 13. This unique initiative brought hands-on science experiences, engaging talks, and interactive activities to regional, rural and remote Queensland communities, highlighting the importance of science in everyday life and showcasing local contributions to STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics).

In Longreach we were joined by the Chief Scientist, Professor Kerrie Wilson as well as the 2025 Inspiring Australia Queensland (IAQ) Ambassadors, David Corporal, Dr Christina Zdenek and Luis Villegas-Aguilar. For the IAQ Ambassadors the travelling launch  was more than a tour; it was a journey of connection, discovery and inspiration. As they crisscrossed Central and Western Queensland, they were welcomed into schools, community halls and cultural spaces, sharing their passion for science while learning from the people and places that make regional Queensland so unique. From fielding tough Quantum questions in Boulia and Longreach to standing beneath the stars in Birdsville and from dinosaur digs in Winton to STEM fairs in Jundah, each stop offered unforgettable moments that deepened their appreciation for the power of science to bring people together, across disciplines, cultures and generations.

Blackall – August 6

The travelling launch kicked off at the historic Blackall Woolscour, a remarkable example of enduring engineering ingenuity. Community members were engaged with a variety of topics from fossils, to space, Quantum physcis, photons, snakes and ecology.

Barcaldine – August 7

The Globe in Barcaldine, a beautifully restored heritage building and former workers’ pub with deep ties to Queensland’s social history, a packed room of enthusiastic participants, ranging in age from just two weeks to 90 years, gathered to celebrate science in all its forms. We were also invited to visit nearby Turraburra/Gracevale station, guided by Iningai elder Suzanne Thompson, who shared powerful insights into Country and culture.

Longreach – August 8 & 9

The Longreach stop of the Queensland National Science Week Travelling Launch was a standout moment  marked by inspiring opening remarks from Queensland Chief Scientist Professor Kerrie Wilson, who spoke passionately about the power of science to shape regional futures. We also included engaging visits to Longreach State School, Longreach State High School, and the Longreach School of Distance Education, where students had the opportunity to interact with IAQ ambassadors and explore topics ranging from space and quantum physics to agriculture and First Nations knowledge systems.

Adding to the excitement, National Science Week ambassadors were interviewed by Heather Hale at the Longreach ABC, helping to amplify the voices of regional science champions and share the spirit of the launch with a broader audience across Queensland

Winton – August 9 & 10

Events at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs captivated audiences withinsights into Queensland’s prehistoric past and dark sky observatory. The community gathered at the Waltzing Matilda Centre for a lively pop-up STEM event supported by Mayor Cathy White, and the Winton Shire Council

Boulia – August 10

At the Boulia Shire Hall, the travelling launch sparked lively engagement, with audience members posing challenging questions about quantum physics and its real-world applications. One particularly inspiring moment came when a local student shared their newfound dream of becoming an astronaut, motivated by meeting David Corporal, IAQ ambassador and NASA intern. Dr Christina Zdenek’s Snake Wheel of Fortune continued to be a huge success with the locals, and highlighting the benefits of snakes!

Birdsville – August 11

The Birdsville event was held and supported by the great team at the iconic Birdsville Hotel, drawing a dedicated crowd, some travelling 100’s of kilometres to engage with scientists and celebrate National Science Week. We also managed visit to the Birdsville School, where students explored science topics with ambassadors, and a special trip to Big Red to witness the spectacular wildflower bloom.

A highlight was meeting Don Rowlands, a respected Wangkangurru and Yarluyandi Elder, whose deep cultural knowledge and connection to Country enriched the event with powerful insights into the intersection of Indigenous knowledge and science

Jundah – August 13

The final stop of the travelling launch was a vibrant pop-up STEM fair in Jundah, bringing together students from Windorah, Jundah, and Stonehenge schools for a day of hands-on science exploration and cultural learning. The event was enthusiastically supported by the Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation, whose representatives shared their use of traditional and contemporary STEM techniques in caring for Country, including archaeological research, land management, and ecological monitoring rooted in deep cultural knowledge.

Sincere thanks to our collaborators including: Cr Andrew Martin – Mayor Blackall-Tambo Regional Council, Cr Rob Chandler – Mayor Barcldine Regional Council, Cr Tony Rayner – Mayor Longreach regional Council, Cr Cathy White – Mayor Winton Shire Council, Cr Rick Britton – Boulia Shire Council, Cr Francis Murray – Diamantina Shire Council and Cr Sally O’Neil – Barcoo Shire Council, Liza Cameron – Manager CUC RAPAD CWQ. And to the QCoal Foundation for a generous donation of 7 STEM kits for each community.

Check out the information available on the National Science Week and Inspiring Australia Queensland websites for the latest news around grants and National Science Week 2026!