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Schools and Community

Here you will find science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) events, resources, and activities for schools and the community.

Please note: due to the COVID-19 virus, some offerings are limited, postponed, or cancelled. We will update our pages as soon as possible and we thank you for your patience.

Current updates:

DateProgramStatusAudience
OngoingSTEM Outreach TeamLimited bookings availableSchools
OngoingIMAS visitsUnavailableSchools
FebruaryTasmanian Youth Science Forum - TYSFReturning in 2021Schools
AugustFestival of Bright IdeasReturning in 2021Community
AugustNational Science WeekOnline in 2020Community
AugustYoung Tassie ScientistsRunning online in 2020Schools
SeptemberThe Science and Engineering Investigation AwardsOnline in August and SeptemberSchools
SeptemberScience and Engineering ChallengeTo be held in September Schools
DecemberScience ExperienceReturning in 2021Schools

If you have questions, please email us. We're here to support teachers, parents and guardians with their online STEM learning during this challenging time.

Schools outreach

We offer a range of hands-on programs for school students, from primary to secondary, designed to excite and inspire.

Take part in practical activities, interactive demonstrations, research facility visits, as well as local and national competitions held on campus. Or our travelling programs can come to your school.

Whether on campus or at your school, our programs provide opportunities for students to explore STEM in ways that are innovative, challenging and fun!


The STEM Outreach Team is part of the College of Sciences and Engineering at the University of Tasmania. The Team delivers hands-on and engaging science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities to groups of school students.

Schools can book activities which are closely linked to the Australian Curriculum and are designed for students in grades 3-12.

Learn more about the STEM Outreach Team  

Schools usually visit the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) on Hobart's waterfront as part of one of our outreach programs. Their Taroona facility is only accessible via bookings during National Science Week each August. However, there is a small public area you can visit or you can contact IMAS for more information. If you want to find out more about our programs, email us!

Learn about school visits at IMAS  

The Tasmanian Youth Science Forum is a program for Tasmanian Year 11 and 12 students with an interest in science, engineering and technology held at the University of Tasmania's Sandy Bay campus in April.

Participants will spend three days during the April school holidays at the University of Tasmania taking part in a variety of workshops with University researchers and students, giving them an insight into university life and VIP access to facilities.

Tasmanian Youth Science Forum - Cancelled due to COVID-19

For more information about the Tasmanian Youth Science Forum, please email science.outreach@utas.edu.au

Please check back in 2021 to see if this event will run again.

Shasta Henry - Entomologist

The Young Tassie Scientists are early career researchers who help engage and motivate students to think about science and science careers. They also provide teachers with the opportunity to strengthen their knowledge of current research.

By providing dynamic and inspiring role models, engaging hands-on activities, and information on educational opportunities and future careers, the YTS program encourages younger people to continue their studies in science and to make connections between studying science and resulting jobs and careers.

Since its inception in 2003, the YTS program has involved more than 200 young scientists giving presentations in countless classrooms all over Tasmania. These scientists have also taken part in University Open Days, National Science Week events, career expos and science/ art programs, reaching many hundreds of people.

Discover more    

The Science and Engineering Investigation Awards is a state wide competition for student investigations completed following the scientific method.

Year 5 – 12 students submit an investigation report which is judged in person by representatives from research, industry and education.

Award-winning projects have received national and international recognition through the BHP-Billiton Science and Engineering Awards and the Intel International Science Fair in the US.

Discover more  

The Science and Engineering Challenge (the Challenge) is an outreach program, event, and competition aimed at changing student's perceptions of science and engineering.

By participating in the Challenge students see that science and engineering involves creativity, innovation, problem solving and team work. The Challenge aims to inspire students to consider a future career in science and engineering by choosing to study subjects such as maths, physics and chemistry in Years 11 and 12.

Discover more

Due to COVID-19 this event has been cancelled. It will return in 2021.

The Science Experience is a three-day program of science activities for Year 9 and 10 students, usually held in December.

Students participate in a range of hands-on science and engineering activities held on campus under the guidance of university researchers, and take part in laboratory sessions, fieldwork, tours of facilities, and team challenges.

For more information about the Science Experience in Tasmania, please contact:

Dr Adele Wilson
Project Officer STEM Outreach
College of Sciences and Engineering
+61 3 6226 2287
science.outreach@utas.edu.au

"This was such a great experience and one I would not replace for anything! My love for science and my passion to pursue a career in the field has been concreted by the program. Our UTAS guides were great and it was so special to share everything with people who had the same love for science as I do."

– Science Experience participant

Community

The College of Sciences and Engineering are proud to continue a long tradition of engagement with the community. From regional activities to participation in Australia’s largest science events, our community programs help bring the fascinating world of science to communities right around Tasmania.

National Science Week and Inspiring Australia are our core community engagement programs, but you’ll also find us at local community events and festivals like AgFest in the north of Tasmania and TastroFest in the northwest. Australia are our core community programs.

National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science, technology, engineering, maths and innovation.

National Science Week is Australia’s largest community festival with more than 1000 events, activities, talks and shows being held around Australia each year. In Tasmania, the community comes together to throw a huge science party with more than 150 events being held all over the state each year.

Discover more    

The Festival of Bright Ideas (FoBI) is Tasmania's premier science festival celebrating our state's science and innovation which contributes to our economic and social success, our international reputation and indeed our quality of life.

FoBI provides an opportunity for all Tasmanians to explore what is happening in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) in our own back yard, to engage directly with scientists and innovators, and to learn and be inspired.

Returning in 2021.

Discover more    

Inspiring Australia is the Australian Government’s national strategy for engaging communities with the sciences.

In recognition of its commitment to outreach, the University of Tasmania is working in partnership with the Tasmanian Department of State Growth and the Commonwealth Department of Industry and Science to deliver the Inspiring Australia program in Tasmania.

Learn more about Inspiring Australia    

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We acknowledge the palawa/pakana peoples of lutruwita upon whose lands the University of Tasmania stands.

Authorised by the Dean, College of Sciences and Engineering. © 29 July, 2020 University of Tasmania, Australia. ABN 30 764 374 782. CRICOS Provider Code 00586B