Initiative + planning = success for UQ Science Ambassadors

Let’s hear from Joshua Ryu on what worked, what didn’t, and how the experience of participating in the UQ Science Ambassador program helped him grow as a leader and communicator.

What school did you attend and what year were you a UQ Science Ambassador?

I attended Brisbane State High School and I was a UQ Science Ambassador in 2023.

What types of activities did you deliver as an Ambassador?

The Ambassadors at my school ran a few experiments and activities during Science Week.

Can you share the details of a successful activity and how you ran it?

I remember we decided to run the elephant's toothpaste experiment on the school oval, but it was super windy on that day. Thankfully, the experiment was a success, but the foam flew everywhere, and it was quite messy! We cleaned up afterwards, of course.

What was the highlight of your time as a UQ Science Ambassador?

I really enjoyed getting the email updates from UQ, because it included a lot of different activities and questions that we could ask other students to attempt. It was a short time, but getting to work with the other Science Ambassadors was fun.

Describe an activity that didn’t go so well and why?

One time, we were running a lab experiment, and we wanted as many people as possible to get involved. Though I managed to gather some of my friends to attend, some of the other students weren't too keen to come in during their lunch time.

How did you manage that at the time?

Well, we still did the experiment in our small group, and it was a great time. A tip for you would be to advertise early, so that more people can come and learn about science.

What skills did you develop as a UQ Science Ambassador that have helped at uni or might translate to a career post-university?

Like other leadership positions in school, the experience of being a UQ Science Ambassador can push you outside of your comfort zone. But that's something you'll experience as you get older and live your adult lives, so being an Ambassador was a great way for me to get exposed to that early and take initiative to show others how interesting science can be!

What advice would you give to current UQ Science Ambassadors?

If you genuinely love science, there are so many opportunities to study that in university. A Bachelor of Science is a great degree that offers a lot of flexibility, and you can nominate yourself to become a Science Leader in university, if that's something you'd be interested in!