World Science Festival Brisbane Heads to Gladstone
Gladstone residents will have the opportunity to enjoy one of Queensland’s best free events when the World Science Festival Brisbane kicks off its regional program at the Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre on 3 March and 4 March.
We’ll be taking science from the labs to the streets, giving residents and visitors an opportunity to discover exhibitions and take part in hands-on activities, workshops and presentations by leaders in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
The Student Day begins from 9am on 3 March while activities for the Community Day start from 9am on 4 March.
Premier and Minister for the Arts Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Queensland Government recognised that STEM skills were essential to the jobs of the future, and to realising our Advance Queensland initiative.
“My government is committed to ensuring all Queenslanders have the opportunity to engage with the scientists, mathematicians, innovators, inventors, engineers and entrepreneurs that are shaping our future,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“The World Science Festival’s Regional Program provides children, young people and science enthusiasts of every age living in regional and remote communities across Central Queensland with the chance to experience exciting new research and get a glimpse of future career paths – some of which didn’t even exist until a couple of years ago.
“Hopefully, fun science-themed events like this will spark an enthusiasm for STEM and inspire a new generation of Queensland researchers, developers and leaders.”
Queensland Museum CEO and Director Professor Suzanne Miller said the Gladstone community and surrounding areas should get involved in the local World Science Festival Brisbane events.
“The great thing about the World Science Festival model is that it makes science publicly accessible by bringing it out of the labs and into public spaces for everyone to enjoy,” Professor Miller said.
“Following on from a successful community event in Chinchilla in 2016, the regional program has been expanded in 2017 thanks to the support of our community partner QGC, enabling us to bring some of Australia’s brightest minds to our regional centres for this free event.”
Vice President QGC, Tony Nunan, said the festival was a great way to engage young people, families and communities with science and STEM.
“Through our partnership with Queensland Museum Network, we are hoping to engage all Queenslanders in STEM,” Mr Nunan said.
“It’s not only about inspiring students — it’s about inspiring parents, families and whole communities and the World Science Festival Brisbane Regional Program is the ideal platform to achieve that goal.”
STEM professionals featured in the Gladstone program will include experts from the fields of palaeontology, biodiversity, mineralogy, and engineering and will feature a keynote presentation from leading drone technology expert and 2015’s Telstra Business Woman of the Year Dr Catherine Ball.
“Science is all around us and I can’t wait to share ideas, inspire others and discuss exciting new STEM concepts with the community,” Dr Ball said.
The World Science Festival Brisbane Regional Program is presented by the Queensland Museum and the Queensland Government, in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland with proud support from community partner QGC.
View more information about our regional events here.