World Science Festival Queensland Townsville

Student Day

Friday 16 May

World Science Festival Queensland’s School Program returns to Townsville on Friday 16 May to engage students in stimulating and inspiring experiences that showcase careers in STEM.

Bookings are open now for teachers and home educators to register their student groups.

Educators can select from two activities:

• Robots and Rocketry (Years P–12):  Hands on activities bringing robotics, aerospace, and engineering to life
  • Launch your own rockets in Lift Off and aim for the stars.
  • Dive into Roving Worlds, where you’ll explore robotics and coding to venture into new frontiers.
  • Discover Surviving Space and learn about astrobotany – the science of growing plants beyond Earth.
• Tech Driven Innovations (Years 7–12): This panel-style presentation followed by a Q&A will be presented in the Queensland Museum Tropics Theatre for secondary school students. The event will present the intersection of technology, biology, and engineering. Experts from Queensland Museum and The University of Queensland will delve into the transformative power of deep learning in fossil research, and the groundbreaking potential of cyborg insects in disaster response. Through these diverse perspectives, students will discover how nature’s principles and past discoveries inspire revolutionary solutions for today’s global challenges.
  Panellists:
  Dr Espen Knutsen: Senior Curator Palaeontology at the Queensland Museum, based in Townsville who has conducted fieldwork and excavations in Australia and around the world, and described five new species of Jurassic marine reptiles.
  
  Dr Stephanie Duce: Senior Lecturer of Spatial Science at James Cook University uses geospatial technologies, to examine and understand patterns in the environment, particularly coral reefs, and the physical and social processes that drive them.
  
  Dr T. Thang Vo-Doan: Lecturer in Mechanical and Mining Engineering at the University of Queensland and leads the UQ Biorobotics Lab. His research explores insect-machine robots, bio-inspired robotics, biomechanics, and brain imaging in free-moving insects.

• Sensory-Friendly Session (all welcome): From 3-4pm, we’re turning the sound down and creating a relaxed, fun and supportive atmosphere that welcomes people on the autism spectrum or with other access requirements to experience the museum. Queensland Museum Sensory Friendly Sessions create a supportive environment where people of all ages and needs can spend quiet time, wander at their own pace, and engage in conversations with museum staff. Please note, this session applies to the free museum exhibits and general spaces, and not to James Cameron - Challenging The Deep. Bookings not required. 

Classroom resources will be emailed prior to the event to support learning before and after Student Day.

Bookings from homeschoolers are welcome.

Bookings for the Student Day are essential, register using button below:

Book now