National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology, held this year from the 9 - 17 August. Across the country, universities, schools, libraries, and organisations hosted exciting events, and we were lucky enough to be part of the action!
Our Teen Life Skills participants had an unforgettable adventure into the world of science, guided by four real-life scientists at Queensland University of Technology. Each Scientist brought their passion, knowledge, and a whole lot of fun to the day.
Sharks, Frogs & Science Chats
Wildlife biologist and science communicator Dr Mariel fascinated us with her love for amphibians and sharks. Young people (and adults!) were hooked by her frog-saving tips and interesting shark facts! We learned a fun fact - sharks don’t have bones, they are made entirely of cartilage!
Snake Secrets
Dr Christina’s love for snakes is no secret. She has 35 snakes at home! She busted myths, shared surprising benefits of snakes, and introduced us to her gentle snake friend, Netflix (named that because he's so chill!). Her passion was absolutely contagious! “I learnt that snakes are actually not dangerous if you treat them well,” one of the participants shared.
Coral Detectives
Karen from Coral Watch showed us how to use the Coral Health Chart to track coral colour changes and understand coral bleaching. Our young people and their Pyjama Angels became citizen scientists, investigating the impact of bleaching on our beautiful reefs.
Bones, Stones & Stories
Dr Caitlin shared her inspiring journey to becoming a paleontologist at Queensland Museum. Her stories about digging up ancient mysteries made science feel like a real-life adventure! Did you know Queensland Museum houses over three million fossils? It's the largest collection in the Southern Hemisphere!
"It makes me think that coming to university in the future will get me a good job."
- Teen Life Skills Participants
A huge thank you to Inspiring Australia and our amazing scientists for making this day possible. You helped instill excitement, curiosity, and a love for science in our young people, empowering them to explore, ask questions, and dream big.
Learn more about Teen Life Skills from here.
