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
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
20–23 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.
Sunflower Competition
February – May 2026
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.
Experience Genetics
22 June – 24 July 2026
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.
FEAST
28 June – 1 July 2026
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.
Queensland Biology Winter School
29 June – 3 July 2026
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.
IB Research Skills Program
Wednesday 1 July 2026
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.
Experience Geographical Science
Friday 17 July 2026
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.
Queensland Chemistry Winter School
July 2026 (TBC)
UQ St Lucia
Years 11 and 12
The 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
July 2026 (TBC)
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
October 2026 (TBC)
UQ St Lucia
Years 11 and 12
The Senior Mathematics Study Days is an opportunity to enrich mathematical understanding of the topics covered in the senior mathematics curricula and prepare students for tertiary mathematics studies.
Yearly events planner
A handy guide to science events in 2026, to inspire all ages.
Term 1 starts 27 January and ends 2 April (school holidays: 3–19 April).
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 13–21 January | National Youth Science Forum |
| 18–23 January | InspireU Explore |
| 20–23 January | Queensland Mathematics Summer School |
| February – May | Sunflower Competition |
| 20–29 March | World Science Festival Brisbane |
Important dates to note this term:
- 13 February: registrations close for Sunflower Competition
Term 2 starts 20 April and ends 26 June (school holidays: 27 June – 12 July).
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1 May | UQ/QAMT Problem Solving Competition |
| 22 June – 24 July | Experience Genetics (school groups only) |
| 28 June – 1 July | UQ FEAST |
| 29–30 June | Year 12 Queensland Biology Winter School |
| 1 July | International Baccalaureate Research Skills Program |
| 2–3 July | Year 11 Queensland Biology Winter School |
| July TBC | Junior Physics Odyssey (Year 10) |
| July TBC | Queensland Chemistry Winter School |
Important dates to note this term:
- 24 May: registrations close for school holiday programs
Term 3 starts 13 July and ends 18 September (school holidays: 19 September – 5 October).
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 17 July | Experience Geographical Science (school groups only) |
| 17–18 July | TSXPO |
| 1 August | UQ St Lucia Open Day |
| 15–23 August | National Science Week |
| 15 August | UQ Gatton Open Day |
Term 4 starts 6 October and ends 11 December (school holidays: 12 December – 26 January).
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| October TBC | Senior Mathematics Study Days |
| October TBC | Experience Ecology (school groups only) |
| November TBC | Senior Science Skills Day (school groups only) |