On-campus activities and competitions
Inspire your school’s rising science stars with events, activities, information sessions and competitions held by UQ Science and the wider UQ community.
MEGA Day
UQ Science's free, MEGA Day event brings together Marine Science, Earth and Environmental Science, Geography and Agricultural Science teachers and scientific technicians from around the state for a MEGA professional development day.
Come along and hear from UQ Science academics, experienced teachers, the Moreton Bay Research Station, the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority and more in a wide-range of workshops.
You can choose to attend in-person (recommended) or online but you'll need to register first.
Engineering events
Explore engineering at UQ through workshops and events for school students and teachers organised by the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology.
FEAST
Future Experiences in Agriculture, Science & Technology (FEAST) is a five-day residential program that inspires high school students about rewarding science careers in the agriculture, animal, plant and food industries.
It is open to students in years 11 and 12 and is held in June.
InspireU STEM Camp
The InspireU STEM Camp allows Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Year 11 or 12 to join a week-long camp for a holistic experience of university life.
The camp is perfect for students planning on going to university to explore what degree to study and build their knowledge about university life. The program introduces various career and study options at UQ.
Delivered in collaboration with current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander university students, UQ’s faculties and industry partners, attendees enjoy jam-packed, engaging sessions with a hands-on component.
Junior Physics Odyssey
The Junior Physics Odyssey (JPhO) is a four-day non-residential program for Year 10 students with an interest in physics, science and mathematics.
The immersive program encourages students to develop their understanding and appreciation of physics, confront and solve problems, and take part in hands-on learning.
JPhO is held annually in July.
Participants tour UQ's innovative research facilities, take part in research forums, experience UQ life and even learn a few magic tricks.
UQ Earth & Environment Day
UQ Science's annual Earth & Environment Day gives students the chance to experience the applications and relevance of geography, planning, earth sciences and environmental management, and to discover how studying these subjects can lead to a career with real-world impact.
Open to students in years 10, 11 and 12, the event includes a careers session presented by UQ Science graduates and two interactive workshops. Teachers can attend an optional discussion and information sharing session with our staff.
UQ Earth & Environment Day is held in July.
UQ Queensland Maths Summer School
The UQ Queensland Mathematics Summer School (QMSS) introduces Year 10 students to the beauty of advanced mathematical ideas and new ways of thinking.
The week-long non-residential program is open to talented students who are going into Year 11 and have chosen to study Mathematics B and Mathematics C.
It is held each year in January.
Participants gain mathematical knowledge, problem-solving skills and confidence to use in a possible career in maths and science, in maths competitions or for their own interest.
UQ/QAMT Problem Solving Competition
The UQ/QAMT Problem Solving Competition is held annually on a Saturday at UQ St Lucia, close to International Pi Day in March.
Open to all Queensland secondary high school students, the competition sees students complete a two-hour maths paper in three categories for junior, middle and senior students. The questions encourage ingenuity and thought.
The event includes a professional development session for teachers.
Schools unable to attend the St Lucia event can run their own competition on the day or the previous school day.
RACI Titration Competition
RACI holds annual regional Titration Competitions, culminating in national finals.
The competition aims to inspire Year 10, 11 and 12 pupils who are interested in chemistry, and to acknowledge those who are becoming proficient.
It is held in May.
Our School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences has hosted regional Queensland competitions for 30 years.
SPARQ-ed Senior Research Immersion
SPARQ-ed (Students Performing Advanced Research - Queensland Education) is a unique biomedical educational program where students and teachers from across the state are provided with a practical introduction to biomedical research.
The Australian Brain Bee Challenge
The Australian Brain Bee Challenge encourages Year 10 students to learn about the brain, neuroscience research and careers, and misconceptions about neurological and mental illnesses.
The challenge tests participants' knowledge of intelligence, memory, emotions, sensations, movement, stress, ageing, sleep, Alzheimer's disease and stroke.
Competition rounds are held at UQ's Queensland Brain Institute in March and May.
Senior Science Skills Days
We're inviting school groups of Year 10 students who have selected to study senior science subject(s) and their teachers to attend our on-campus experience to further develop their scientific research skills.
We'll be running workshops that address critical thinking, experimental risk management, science literacy, and science communication, as a head start into senior science.
Our Senior Science Skills Days are held in November at UQ St Lucia campus.