High school activities

Inspire your school’s rising science stars with events, activities, information sessions and competitions held by The University of Queensland and the wider scientific community.

UQ Science high school events

Sunflower Competition

24 February – 23 May 2025
Your school
Years 7–12

The Sunflower Competition provides interactive learning opportunities through school-based experiments and supports teachers to deliver their science curriculum in a plant-based context.

IB Research Skills Program

7–8 April 2025
UQ St Lucia
Year 11 IB students

The International Baccalaureate Research Skills Program provides comprehensive development in core research skills and the opportunity to engage with professional researchers to learn about exciting scientific research taking place across UQ.

FEAST

29 June – 2 July 2025
UQ Gatton
Years 10, 11 and 12

Future Experiences in Agriculture, Science, and Technology (FEAST) is a 4-day residential program designed to inspire high school students to pursue rewarding careers in the agriculture, animal, plant and food industries.

Experience Genetics

25 June – 30 July 2025
UQ St Lucia
Year 12

Experience Genetics is for Year 12 biology school groups, to improve understanding of Unit 4 subject matter and practice laboratory skills relevant to genetics.

Queensland Biology Winter School

30 June – 8 July 2025
UQ St Lucia
Years 11 and 12

The Queensland Biology Winter School comprises separate 2-day non-residential programs for Year 11 and Year 12 students to explore contemporary topics aligned with the QCE and IB Biology syllabuses through interactive lectures, practicals and tutorials.

Queensland Chemistry Winter School

3–4 July 2025
UQ St Lucia
Year 11

The Year 11 Queensland Chemistry Winter School provides a deep dive into contemporary topics aligned with subject matter in the QCE and IB Chemistry syllabuses.

Junior Physics Odyssey

8–11 July 2025
UQ St Lucia
Year 10

The Junior Physics Odyssey is a 4-day non-residential program for Year 10 students with an interest in physics, science and mathematics to develop problem-solving skills and an understanding of physics.

Senior Mathematics Study Days

July 2025 (date TBC)
UQ St Lucia
Year 12

The Senior Mathematics Study Days for Year 12 students are an opportunity to enrich mathematical understanding of the topics covered in the senior mathematics curricula and prepare students for tertiary mathematics studies.

Experience Geographical Science

1 August 2025
UQ St Lucia
Years 10, 11 and 12

Experience Geographical Science is for school groups across Years 10 to 12. It is a curriculum aligned day of lectures and practicals that extend core learning from the Geography syllabus.

Experience Ecology

29 October – 14 November 2025
UQ St Lucia
Year 11

Experience Ecology is for Year 11 biology school groups to gain field experience relevant to Unit 3 of senior biology (2025 syllabus v1.2), and to practice data analysis and scientific report writing for Internal Assessment 2.

Senior Science Skills Days

18–21 November 2025
UQ St Lucia
Year 10

Senior Science Skills Days are workshops for school groups of Year 10 students that address critical thinking, experimental risk management, science literacy, and framing research questions to provide a head start in senior science.

Queensland Mathematics Summer School

19–22 January 2026
UQ St Lucia
Year 10

The Queensland Mathematics Summer School is a 4-day non-residential program for students who have completed Year 10 and chosen to study QCE Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics or IB Mathematics (HL or SL) in Year 11.

Yearly events planner

A handy guide to science events in 2025, to inspire all ages.

Term 1 starts 28 January and ends 4 April (school holidays: 5–21 April).

DateEvent
15–23 JanuaryNational Youth Science Forum
20–23 JanuaryQueensland Mathematics Summer School
24 February – 23 MaySunflower Competition
21 MarchData are Fun?! for Senior Science Teachers (in person)
28 MarchData are Fun?! for Senior Science Teachers (online)
21–30 MarchWorld Science Festival Brisbane
7–8 AprilInternational Baccalaureate Research Skills Program

Important dates to note this term:

Term 2 starts 22 April and ends 27June (school holidays: 28 June – 13 July).

DateEvent
24 AprilUQ/QAMT Problem Solving Competition
24 AprilUQ Career Pulse
24 MayRACI Titration Competition
29 June – 2 JulyUQ FEAST
25 June – 30 JulyExperience Genetics (school groups only)
30 June – 1 JulyYear 11 Queensland Biology Winter School
3–4 JulyYear 11 Queensland Chemistry Winter School
7–8 JulyYear 12 Queensland Biology Winter School
8–11 JulyJunior Physics Odyssey (Year 10)
JulySenior Mathematics Study Days

Important dates to note this term:

Term 3 starts 14 July and ends 19 September (school holidays: 20 September – 6 October).

DateEvent
25 June – 30 JulyExperience Genetics (school groups only)
19–20 JulyTSXPO
1 AugustExperience Geographical Science (school groups only)
3 AugustUQ St Lucia Open Day
9–17 AugustNational Science Week
17 AugustUQ Gatton Open Day
14 SeptemberInspireU STEM Camp

Important dates to note this term:

Term 4 starts 7 October and ends 12 December (school holidays: 13 December – 26 January).

DateEvent
29 October – 14 NovemberExperience Ecology (school groups only)
18–21 NovemberSenior Science Skills Day (school groups only)

Important dates to note this term: