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
26 October — 13 November 2026
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
16–20 November 2026
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 2027
UQ St Lucia
Years 10 and 11
The Queensland Mathematics Summer School is a 4-day non-residential program for students who have chosen to study QCE Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics or IB Mathematics (HL or SL) in Year 10 or 11 in 2027.
Sunflower Competition
22 February – 14 May 2027
Your school
Years 7 to 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.
FEAST
27 June – 2 July 2027
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.
Junior Physics Odyssey
29 June – 2 July 2027
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.
Queensland Chemistry Winter School
1–2 July 2027
UQ St Lucia
Year 11
The Queensland Chemistry Winter School provides a deep dive into contemporary topics aligned with subject matter in the QCE Chemistry syllabus.
Queensland Biology Winter School
June – July 2027 (Exact dates TBC)
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.
Experience Genetics
June – July 2027 (Exact dates TBC)
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.
Experience Geographical Science
July 2027 (Exact dates TBC)
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.
Yearly events planner
A quick guide to science events in 2027.
Term 1 starts 27 January and ends 25 March (school holidays: 26 March –11 April).
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 11–15 January | InspireU Explore |
| 13–21 January | National Youth Science Forum |
| 19–22 January | Queensland Mathematics Summer School |
| February – May | Sunflower Competition |
| 17–19 March | World Science Festival Brisbane |
Important dates to note this term:
- February — Sunflower Competition:
- 12 February — registrations close
- 22 February — growing commences
- 12 February — Science Ambassador nominations close
Term 2 starts 12 April and ends 25 June (school holidays: 26 June – 11 July).
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 27 June – 2 July | UQ FEAST |
| 29 June – 2 July | Junior Physics Odyssey |
| 1–2 July | Queensland Chemistry Winter School |
| TBC | Queensland Biology Winter School |
| TBC | Experience Genetics |
Important dates to note this term:
- May — Sunflower Competition:
- 14 May — growing concludes
- 28 May — video submissions close
Term 3 starts 12 July and ends 17 September (school holidays: 18 September – 4 October).
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1 August | UQ St Lucia Open Day |
| 15 August | UQ Gatton Open Day |
| TBC | Experience Geographical Science |
Term 4 starts 5 October and ends 10 December (school holidays: 11 December – 23 January).
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| TBC | Experience Ecology |
| TBC | Senior Science Skills Day |
UQ school event calendar
Browse the full list of UQ-wide events for high school students and Career Advisers.