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

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).

DateEvent
13–21 JanuaryNational Youth Science Forum
18–23 JanuaryInspireU Explore
20–23 JanuaryQueensland Mathematics Summer School
February – MaySunflower Competition
20–29 MarchWorld Science Festival Brisbane

Important dates to note this term:

Term 2 starts 20 April and ends 26 June (school holidays: 27 June – 12 July).

DateEvent
1 MayUQ/QAMT Problem Solving Competition
22 June – 24 JulyExperience Genetics (school groups only)
28 June – 1 JulyUQ FEAST
29–30 JuneYear 12 Queensland Biology Winter School
1 JulyInternational Baccalaureate Research Skills Program
2–3 JulyYear 11 Queensland Biology Winter School
July TBCJunior Physics Odyssey (Year 10)
July TBCQueensland Chemistry Winter School

Important dates to note this term:

Term 3 starts 13 July and ends 18 September (school holidays: 19 September – 5 October).

DateEvent
17 JulyExperience Geographical Science (school groups only)
17–18 JulyTSXPO
1 AugustUQ St Lucia Open Day
15–23 AugustNational Science Week
15 AugustUQ Gatton Open Day

Term 4 starts 6 October and ends 11 December (school holidays: 12 December – 26 January).

DateEvent
October TBCSenior Mathematics Study Days
October TBCExperience Ecology (school groups only)
November TBCSenior Science Skills Day (school groups only)