Community Science - Inspiring Australia Queensland

COMMUNITY
SCIENCE

Queensland’s STEM community is set to thrive this August, as the state gets ready to celebrate National Science Week.

Listen to interviews with citizen scientists as they talk about working with local communities, attend a fast-paced, science packed trivia night at the Queensland Museum or download the questions and hold your own with a small group of family or friends.

But don’t stop there! Check out the list of activities taking place online and across Queensland. From virtual events, workshops and a Deep Blue Escape Room, there is something for every STEM enthusiast.

CITIZEN SCIENCE INTERVIEWS

Our reporter will talk with three passionate advocates for Citizen Science in Queensland, visiting projects on location and discover how you can make a difference in your own backyard.

Join our Citizen Science reporter Jennifer Livingston – local artist, designer and avid nature enthusiast – to explore the wonders of backyard science and meet the extraordinary people behind these labours of love.

THE MYCOLOGY RESEARCH
PROJECT

Sandra Tuszynska is absolutely bonkers about fungi and why wouldn’t you be?!

It’s estimated there’s a smashing 250,000 fungal species in Australia alone.

They compost organic matter, cure disease, sequest carbon,…and sometimes even glow in the dark!

Join Citizen Science reporter Sally McRae on the edge of Woodfordia’s forest to discover the secret life of fungi with soil microbiologist and Mycology expert, Sandra Tuszynska.

Get involved here.

MOUNT GRAVATT ENVIRONMENT GROUP PROJECT

What Michael Fox doesn’t know about vegetation and wildlife on Mt Gravatt Conservation Reserve – isn’t worth knowing!

An inspirational bush walk with Michael uncovers edible roots, the lives of solitary bees and his plight to protect our koala population.

Pull on your virtual hiking boots and tune in to discover the incredible work being done by Michael and his Citizen Science colleagues to conserve and bring back the birds, the bees and the butterflies to suburbia.

Find out more here.

THE CROSBY ROAD BUSHCARE
PROJECT

Cori and Nick are what make Citizen Science tick! Two passionate individuals with diverse backgrounds working together for a common cause.

Their passion and commitment leads a group of local volunteers to keep Bartley’s Hill Reserve clean, green and sustainable for all to enjoy.

What was once a weed infested patch of bush – is now teeming with native plants and wildlife. Citizen Science Reporter Jennifer Livingston uncovers the before, the after and the in between of one of Brisbane’s most dedicated Northern Habitat Groups.

Find out more here.

DOWNLOAD FREE CITIZEN SCIENCE RESOURCES

WHAT'S ON ACROSS QUEENSLAND

The Great Queensland BioQuest 2020

Between 15-23 August, join the largest bioblitz in Queensland’s history – The Great Queensland BioQuest. If you’re anywhere in Queensland, simply download the free QuestaGame app and start playing.

Your mission: Map Queensland’s biodiversity for research and conservation.

STEAM Technology Showcase: LIVE!

From August 17–21 the ‘STEAM Technology Showcase: LIVE!’ will engage hundreds of students in a plethora of technologies hands-on, under the mentorship of regionally-based engineers, researchers and entrepreneurs who are inspirational community figures in their field of expertise! Funded by the ‘Inspiring Australia’ initiative, this program is offered COMPLETELY FREE delivered weekday afternoons during National Science Week.

CODEFLIX

Throughout National Science Week (15 – 23 August), students will be able to access CODEFLIX at no cost. CODEFLIX is an online video streaming platform that houses countless hours of fun, engaging and educational videos on the most popular tech and coding topics for kids.

The platform offers pedagogical video tutorials, covering a range of coding languages and activities for kids of various ages and experience levels.

Adopt a Croc

Crocodiles are essential part of the fresh and salt water ecosystem in coastal Queensland. Mt Larcom State School and The Koorana Crocodile Farm are working together to teach everyone just how important Crocs really are to our environment. We are adopting crocs from the egg and plan to watch them grow into huge sea traveling carnivores.

Parasites Online

Parasitology researchers will share their stories through online science shows and short research presentations, “Live from the Lab” laboratory tours and “Fresh From the Field” field work tours, or “Scientist@Home” if we are unable to go into workspaces, and science book readings to increase community awareness and understanding of parasites and engage and inspire the next generation of scientists.

Virtual Launch Party

Pippa and Dronie is a gorgeously illustrated book for young readers aged 5 to 9, celebrating diversity in STEM. The Virtual Launch Party will allow students in their classrooms to join the author, illustrator, and the real life scientists and drone professionals featured in the book, live and online. Each day there will be a 30-minute session exploring the book, and all the fun STEM activities Pippa and Drone get up to on their adventure around the country.

Mozzies, friend or foe?

We will be hosting a digital showcase to introduce the local community to four unique and exciting citizen science projects occurring in Australia. Each project is focused on combating the nuisance and public health risks presented by exotic mosquitoes. These projects include the Zika Mozzie Seeker project (Metro South Health), STEM Champion Mozzie Hunters (QIMR Berghoher), the Mozzie Augmented Reality project (Queensland University of Technology) and the Mozzie Monitors project (University of South Australia). Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the biology and ecology of exotic mosquitoes and how the can play a vital role in reducing the risk of invasion by becoming a citizen scientist.

TEQ-NT

Thinking about a trade? Check out Tec-NQ’s Virtual Open Day on Wednesday, the 19th of August, supported by National Science Week.

See how science, technology, engineering and maths are applied in the trades in our new 360° virtual tour. Check out all of the tools and equipment in action across Tec-NQ’s engineering, construction, information technology and automotive workshops.

Science on the Go! Events for schools

Pop-Up a science centre in your own classroom, put a spotlight on science by connecting with
our world-class researchers, conduct your own lunar space mission in our Science Competition,
join an Academic Bootcamp and explore learning and career prospects in STEM!

Deep Blue Escape Room

Set in a submarine in the dark, cold waters near Antarctica, students are presented with a scenario where the submarine’s battery fails. They have 45 minutes to complete 10 challenges and crack the code to replace the battery and return to the ocean’s surface.

This is a hands-on, immersive experience that gets students collaborating and applying scientific understanding to a series ocean-themed of challenges. Students explore everything from the history of ocean exploration to ocean acidification, plastic pollution and deep sea food webs.

Science of the Sea

Become a citizen scientist this National Science Week with Gold Coast Libraries!

Discover the science of our oceans, beaches and marine life, and how you can contribute to their sustainability, with an action-packed program of FREE virtual events and activities for all ages, including a not to be missed signature event featuring Professor Tim Flannery! Get access to marine scientists and science experts, share your environmental message and win great prizes.

Deep Blue Dilemma

Join us for spectacular National Science Week shows as students are taken on a journey through the depths of our oceans as we explore the impacts of modern technology and scientific discoveries on our Oceans. Presenters engage audiences by providing a greater understanding of ocean currents, pressure and density, ocean animals and the impact our waste is having on the marine environment.

Strap yourselves in for this high-energy stage show produced especially in alignment with the 2020 National Science Week school’s theme. Bring this exclusive live tour or pre-recorded show to your school in Semester II and we will inspire your students, invigorate your teachers, and have everyone in your school community celebrating science!

3D VirBela
Virtual World

Gympie STEM Hub will host a day of virtual events during the STEAMzone Science Festival in 3D in the VirBela free open campus. Participants will be represented by avatars who can move around a virtual campus to various venues where they can watch, listen and participate.

Presenters from environmental groups, enthusiasts, educators and professional scientist will lead the activities.

Sessions will include engaging presentations, lively panel discussions, Citizen Science and research reports and activities. The evening social gathering will have live music and more.

There is a free software download and guided tours and help setting up.

In conversation with
Prof Tim Flannery

Join one of the world’s most influential environmentalists, authors and leading climate change scientists, Professor Tim Flannery, as he discusses the impact of climate change on our oceans and marine life, with host ABC Gold Coast’s Nicole Dyer.

With the Gold Coast being renowned for its beach and surf culture, this is a highly recommended event for all local residents. Professor Tim Flannery will share insights from his years of conservation work and campaigning against the impacts of climate change across the globe, with a specific focus on measures which can help our much loved oceans.

This not to be missed signature National Science Week event will be hosted by Gold Coast local and ABC Radio breakfast host, Nicole Dyer, who will be leading the conversation with Tim Flannery.

In addition to being presented in front of a small live audience in our Helensvale Library, the event will also be available virtually, livestreamed exclusively for members of Gold Coast Libraries. Book online to secure your FREE place to watch this duo discuss some of the most important issues of our region and our generation.

Creating a New Aero-Medical Component

Learn more about how engineering transforms an abstract idea into a physical solution through the combination of creative thinking and technology. See how the Engineering Design Process is used to create a new aero-medical component. During this webinar, Wade Smith will take the audience through the process of designing a new component, including obstacles that need to be overcome. Jason Hazell Director of Plane Support will take us on a virtual tour of the workshop.

Guests: Jason Hazell Director Plane Support and Wade Smith Phd Student. STEM: Aerospace Engineering Design Physics Aviation Mathematics Computer modelling.

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QUEENSLAND MUSEUM
Triva Night

Hep us evaluate #scienceweek

This year’s online National Science Week campaign will be evaluated by a team of academic researchers at the University of Sydney. Help them analyse the effectiveness of online science engagement by participating in the national online event presenter survey and by sending an online audience survey to your attendees.