Flying Scientists

In collaboration with the Wonder of Science, we are excited to deliver the program 'Flying Scientists: Engaging Rural Queenslanders in Science'.

The Flying Scientists are early-mid career researchers that accompany Young Science Ambassadors into regional Queensland centres for community Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) awareness events.

The program was developed to address the shortage of science related events convened outside South East Queensland – see survey reports commissioned by the Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist which highlights this information.

The Flying Scientists initiative has now reached over 86,071 people since 2016.

For more information visit the Flying Scientist page on the Wonder of Science website.

Highlights from 2025 so far:

• In April, Dr Anna Chruścik from the University of Southern Queensland and Dr Colleen Hunt from The University of Queensland, along with Young Science Ambassador Pippa Pryor travelled to Goondiwindi to share their research in agriculture, molecular biology, genetics and statistics, engaging with 57 community members and 219 students in a hands-on DNA extraction experiment involving smashed strawberries.
• Also in April, Dr Candice Pullen from CQUniversity and Young Science Ambassador Olivia Jessop visited the south-western town of Roma, facilitating a booth at the Level Up expo hosted by the Country Universities Centre Maranoa, engaging 85 students in hands-on activities around measuring and assessing heart and lung health with a homemade ECG machine.
• Young Science Ambassador Osheen Joseph accompanied Professor Steven Moore from CQUniversity and Dr Adam Hines from QUT to Charters Towers in May, sharing their extensive research in robotics, aerospace and machine learning, and engaged with 60 people at the community event and 125 students during school visits.

You can find out further information on Flying Scientist activities from previous years.