Grants are awarded in one of the following categories:
Sustainable Futures: Integrating Tradition and Modern Science in the Strait
The Torres Strait community will join an event spotlighting sustainable agriculture, blending traditional Torres Strait Islander practices with contemporary scientific approaches through hands-on workshops and educational tours of Torres Strait Kaziw Meta’s food gardens.
The Sound of Symmetry
Discover the sound of symmetry at joint lecture-concerts in Brisbane and regional Queensland. These events will introduce audiences to various types of symmetry that are central to maths and physics through music, with composer Rob Davidson, mathematician Artem Pulemotov, musicologist Denis Collins, and the award-winning Brisbane ensemble Topology.
From pixels to pills – why we should be 3D printing medicines
Design and print your own tablets. Find out about 3D printing and how it could be used to produce better pills through a series of activities leading up to a public event.
Species Survival on Quandamooka Country – a Community Event (Minjerribah)
Quandamooka (Moreton Bay) is a globally significant seascape with outstanding social, cultural and natural assets. UQ’s Moreton Bay Research Station will host an Open Day (Sat 10 Aug) with opportunities to learn about biodiversity from Indigenous Elders and UQ scientists. A special panel discussion at the Stradbroke Island Brewery (Sat 18 Aug) will be hosted by the Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science.
We’re looking forward to another STEM-tastic celebration in August with lots of events in Queensland. You can find the details via the National Website and locally via the Inspiring Australia Queensland website.
A series of light-hearted, animated storytime videos that focus on areas of science not normally presented to the public. The videos will connect with high school aged people, and intend to advertise these videos on platforms they use to reach them. Presenting science in this way will make science feel more human and show young people that science isn’t just for the Sheldon Coopers of the world. Using online platforms ensures that anyone can access these videos, irrespective of location, venue size or COVID restrictions.
Launched in National Science Week 2020, Science Write Now is an online magazine, podcast, and forthcoming online learning studio that promotes and facilitates creative writing about science. We aim to connect artists and writers with science/scientists to broaden ‘science writing’ into forms like fiction, poetry, and memoir that engage and cultivate empathy in readers who ‘don’t read science’. This year, Science Write Now will host four new science/art/writing courses on the National Science Week theme of ‘Glass’ across science week.
Courses will be created by Queenslanders and we will offer free participation to 18 Queenslanders during Science Week to inspire new ideas and works.
Unearth your interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and join us for an action-packed program of STEM-inspired activities and demonstrations for the whole family. From Minecraft and interactive digital technologies to creative spaces, UNEARTHED will offer a range of STEM experiences and presentations to suit all ages, from the young to the young at heart.
A free science and technology night that is designed to showcase the wonders of science, technology and human innovation. The aim is to engage the public in all things STEM. From a family trivia night, to mirror mazes, laser tag, laser cutter demonstrations, local glass making classes, STEM investigation rooms, local elder workshops, star gazing and much more. The purpose is to highlight our strong STEAM and young entrepreneurial program at our school and get our name out there, while inspiring young people to pursue an interest in the STEM fields.
This event aims to bring STEM outside into our school gardens and help students and teachers to see Science everywhere. Using the theme ‘glass’, this event will bring art and health into the equation – using the vehicle of healthy food options, glass mosaics will be created collaboratively for display in the gardens. An outdoor ‘laboratory’ will allow students to examine the secret life of plants more closely (using microscopes and magnifying glasses) and watch a demonstration of food preservation using traditional ‘canning’ techniques in glass jars. Participants will apply future thinking to a familiar place, using the lense of STEM.
The Genomic Institute aims to run a Virtual Genetics and Genomics Roadshow aimed at Year 11 and Year 12 science students from State high schools around Queensland. These live sessions will feature free talks delivered by distinguished healthcare professionals and scientists’ to speak on topics related to genetics and genomics, technology advances, genetic research in QLD and career options. These free interactive sessions will spark interest and engage students in genetics research, and how it impacts disease diagnosis, management and treatment and also expose students to the different career pathways that can be pursued in the field of Genetics and Genomics.
Every child has an amazing ability to dream and think on a completely different level from adults. They view the world in a unique way.
Children’s museums exist in both large and small cities across the world. They allow for children and families to spend time together, exploring new and exciting real-world concepts and ideas. These museums offer children opportunities to experience learning, particularly in subjects that may be seen as scary/challenging, in ways that are fun and engaging. Operation STEAM is the next step in bringing quality Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics activities that are readily available in capital cities to children and families in Far North Queensland!
Goodna Special School is a P-12 School with over 210 students located in Goodna. Students at Goodna engage in the Australian Curriculum and celebrate science week every year. This year, the Goodna Special School will hold a week-long activity where classes can book a ‘Maker Space’ throughout the week for students to work on their creations over a number of sessions.
The Open Heart Learning Centre is a new community hub in Caloundra, aiming to connect families in the community and in particular, those families with Homeschooling students. This event will connect families and the community and will expose Homeschooling students to hands-on Science in a way that they have not yet experienced. It provides opportunities to both homeschooling, and non-homeschooling students to connect through SCIENCE.
The Question and Answer part would be inviting past students of the school who are scientists or science-related areas to talk about their careers in STEM.
The bringing of an electron microscope would stimulate the Primary School pupils’ interest in Science. But also allows the Senior science students to see how they may be able to apply by gathering data through the use of the electron microscope into their assignments on Student Experiment. The presence of an electron microscope would provide opportunities for the Year 8 students to extend their learning on microscopy.
3Divas – Design thinking is a powerful skill to ensure our children are successful in the workforce of tomorrow and yet many parents, teachers and students still do not know what it is. This event aims to help everyone in the community understand why it’s so important through a highly engaging activity involving 3D modeling and 3D printing technology.
All members of the community, young or old can participate and learn together utilising the amazingly accessible, fun and engaging, Makers Empire 3D modeling software. Girls are underrepresented in STEM careers and this program targets that group
Our robotics workshop is designed for hands-on robotics learning and a whole lot of fun, for students aged 6 to 12. Project-based and child centred, these fun and educational program is the perfect sessions to keep students entertained and learning across the school break.
Robots used
Little Alphas offer fun and challenging activities that keep children of all ages engaged for
Professor Tech’s Intro to Awesome is an engagement program for school students and the general public. Whilst it can involve any technology, in its usual iteration it usually involves putting people in Mixed Reality to experience new realities, like walking with dinosaurs or the virtual plank!
We combine serious with fun to help scientists, academics and those working in technical fields such as IT, be more engaging public speakers. Our Science Comedy Program, which is funded by the federal government, trains over 170 scientists since 2023. Our science comedy shows feature in every state and territory across Australia. We run Australia’s only Science Comedy Show where scientists spend several months learning comedy and then perform in a major Australian festival.
This National Science Week, iLAuNCH is bringing an array of space family fun activities to Toowoomba and Springfield. This day promises a thrilling array of activities that will ignite curiosity and wonder about the vast universe beyond our planet.
The Space Family Fun Days, held during the University of Southern Queensland’s Open Days, will feature a variety of interactive activities, including:
Soapbox Science is a novel public outreach platform for promoting women and non-binary scientists and the science they do. Our events transform public areas into an arena for public learning and scientific debate; they follow the format of London Hyde Park’s Speaker’s Corner, which is historically an arena for public debate. With Soapbox Science, we want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy, learn from, heckle, question, probe, interact with and be inspired by some of our leading scientists. No middle man, no PowerPoint slide, no amphitheatre – just remarkable women and non-binary scientists who are there to amaze you with their latest discoveries, and to answer the science questions you have been burning to ask. Look out for bat simulators, interactive experiments or giant pictures of volcanoes. Or simply hear them talk about what fascinates them, and why they think they have the most fantastic job in the world!
Play Matters Australia Townsville Hub, based in Aitkenvale, provides essential support to children and families across the region. We offer a range of programs including playgroups, peer support groups for parents of children with disabilities, and family events. Through these offerings, Play Matters Australia fosters community, resilience, and joy, helping families build connections and empowering parents and children alike.