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 90,000 people across 60 Queensland towns since the program began in 2016.

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

Highlights from 2026-2027 so far:

• In August 2026, two events were held for World Science Festival in Chinchilla, reaching 869 students and 59 teachers for a student day, and approximately 3,000 people at a community event.
• Also in August, 120 people attended a community event in Kingaroy and another 120 students were reached at a Flying Scientists event at Cherbourg State School.
• Three Flying Scientists participated as guest speakers in a Cairns School of Distance Education event across three classes.

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