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).
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 12–17 January | InspireU STEM Camp (Years 11–12) |
| 15–23 January | National Youth Science Forum |
| 20–23 January | Queensland Mathematics Summer School |
| 24 February – 23 May | Sunflower Competition |
| 21 March | Data are Fun?! for Senior Science Teachers (in person) |
| 28 March | Data are Fun?! for Senior Science Teachers (online) |
| 21–30 March | World Science Festival Brisbane |
| 7–8 April | International Baccalaureate Research Skills Program |
Important dates to note this term:
- 14 February: registrations close for Sunflower Competition (term 1)
- 16 February: registrations close for International Baccalaureate Research Skills Program (school holidays)
- 14 March: registrations open for UQ FEAST (term 2)
- 31 March: nominations close for UQ Science Ambassador Program (term 2)
- 11 April: registrations open for Junior Physics Odyssey (school holidays)
Term 2 starts 22 April and ends 27June (school holidays: 28 June – 13 July).
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 24 April | UQ/QAMT Problem Solving Competition |
| 24 April | UQ Career Pulse |
| 24 May | RACI Titration Competition |
| 29 June – 2 July | UQ FEAST |
| 25 June – 30 July | Experience Genetics (school groups only) |
| 30 June – 1 July | Year 11 Queensland Biology Winter School |
| 3–4 July | Year 11 Queensland Chemistry Winter School |
| 7–8 July | Year 12 Queensland Biology Winter School |
| 8–11 July | Junior Physics Odyssey (Year 10) |
| July | Senior Mathematics Study Days |
Important dates to note this term:
- 1 May: registrations close for school holiday programs
- Year 11 and Year 12 Queensland Biology Winter School
- Year 11 Queensland Chemistry Winter School
- 2 May: registrations close for UQ FEAST (term 2)
- 9 May: registrations close for Junior Physics Odyssey (school holidays)
- 30 May: Sunflower Competition video submissions due
Term 3 starts 14 July and ends 19 September (school holidays: 20 September – 6 October).
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 25 June – 30 July | Experience Genetics (school groups only) |
| 19–20 July | TSXPO |
| 1 August | Experience Geographical Science (school groups only) |
| 3 August | UQ St Lucia Open Day |
| 9–17 August | National Science Week |
| 17 August | UQ Gatton Open Day |
| 14–19 September | InspireU STEM Camp (Years 9–10) |
Important dates to note this term:
- 15 September: registrations open for Queensland Mathematics Summer School (2026 school holidays)
Term 4 starts 7 October and ends 12 December (school holidays: 13 December – 26 January).
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 29 October – 14 November | Experience Ecology (school groups only) |
| 18–21 November | Senior Science Skills Day (school groups only) |
Important dates to note this term:
- 27 November: registrations close for Queensland Mathematics Summer School (2026 school holidays)