High school workshops and activities
Experience UQ for yourself, or let us bring the UQ experience to you with a hands-on group workshops and activites led by our friendly student ambassadors.
All workshops are free of charge and are tailored for Year 8-10 students. Advanced workshops are suited for Year 11-12 students.
Due to room availability at UQ St Lucia Campus:
- Bookings between 16 February and 20 June can only be confirmed after 12 February 2026.
- Bookings between 28 July and 31 October can only be confirmed after 7 July 2026.
Advanced workshops (Years 11 to 12)
Study fresh
Discipline: Software engineering, electrical and computer science
Description: Students will become an engineer for the day and create an indoor air quality detection device to test the air quality of their classroom by programming Raspberry Pi’s. In this session, students will discover:
- the importance of indoor air quality
- how to program a Raspberry Pi using Python
Full details: Study fresh
Duration: 1.5 hours
Year: 11 - 12
Sun smart code
Discipline:
- Software engineering
- Electrical and biomedical engineering
Description: In this workshop, you will become a biomedical Engineer by developing a UV detection device to alert the user of high exposure to UV. You will learn basic coding to program an Arduino and learn about the electrical components behind the scenes to trigger LED sensors based on UV exposure.
Bookings: Sun smart code
Duration: 1.5 hours
Year: 11 - 12
Architecture, design and planning workshops (Years 8 to 10)
Design for a better world
Discipline: Design
Description: Discover the importance of designing for the end user by creating a product based on your partner’s needs and wants.
Bookings: Design for a better world
Duration: 1 hour
Year: 8-10
Designing your place
Description: A creative workshop where you’ll imagine and design a space just for you.
Bookings: Designing your place
Duration: 1 hour
Year: 8-10
Gummy bear workshops
Description: Work together using only gummy bears and skewers to build the tallest, most structurally sound tower.
Bookings: Gummy bear workshops
Duration: 1 hour
Year: 8-10
Neighbourhood challenge
Discipline: Urban planning
Description: Test your planning skills by designing a neighbourhood or place that meets the needs of the 21st century.
Bookings: Neighbourhood challenge
Duration: 1 hour
Year: 8-10
Sketching masterclass
Discipline: Architecture
Description: Learn to sketch like an Architect. Students will learn not only the sketching technique, but also about the thinking behind the process - e.g. why and how to integrate people and landscape, and how to create a sense of depth in an image, and much more.
Bookings: Sketching masterclass
Duration: 1 hour
Year: 8-10
Computer science and IT workshops (Years 8 to 10)
Binary coding
Discipline: Information technology
Description: Computer languages are often referred to as Python, C#, Cobol and more, the computer’s original language is very basic and binary, 1’s and 0’s. In this workshop students will learn the basic of binary coding and how to create their own code. From there, they will design their own personalised wristband using the code.
Bookings: Information technology
Duration: 1 hour
Year: 8-10
Crack the code and cybersecurity
Discipline: Computer science
Description: Using taught cipher methods students must crack the code to extract a hidden message.
Bookings: Crack the code and cybersecurity
Duration: 1 hour
Year: 8-10
Artifical intelligence learning
Discipline: Information technology
Description: Discover how artifical intelligence learns from data. This workshop introduces the basics of machine learning, showing how algorithms find patterns and improve over time through examples.
Bookings: TBC
Duration: TBC
Year: 8-10
Engineering workshops (Years 8 to 10)
Chemical engineering cookie challenge
Discipline: Chemical engineering
Description: This fun interactive workshop will introduce you to the basics of chemical engineering concepts as well as test your decision-making, teamwork, and communication skills.
Bookings: Chemical engineering cookie challenge
Duration: 1 hour
Year: 8-10
Earthquake
Discipline: Civil engineering
Description: Discover how engineers design and construct buildings to withstand the various types of seismic waves generated by earthquakes. Design, build and test model buildings, by putting them through a simulated earthquake challenge.
Bookings: Earthquake
Duration: 1 hour
Year: 8-10
Emergency health mission
Discipline: All disclipines
Description: In this workshop, students learn from Queensland aerospace technology company, HeliMods who design innovative products and special mission solutions to perform a range of complex missions around the world.
Bookings: Emergency health mission
Duration: 1 hours
Year: 8-10
Giving movement back
Discipline: Mechanical / Biomedical Engineering
Description: In this workshop, you will assemble and test a 3D-printed prosthetic hand and will learn how engineers help society in many ways, including giving movement back through prosthetic limbs.
Bookings: Giving movement back
Duration: 2 hours
Year: 8-10
Powering tomorrow
Discipline: Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Description: Build a hydrogen-fueled car and learn the benefits of clean and renewable sources of energy.
Bookings: Powering tomorrow
Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours
Year: 8-12
Renewable energy: I’m a big fan
Discipline: Renewable energy
Description: This hands-on workshop will have you building your own model wind turbine as we look toward sustainable energy solutions to power the future. See how you can have an impactful career in the renewable sector with engineering.
Bookings: Renewable energy: I'm a big fan
Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours
Year: 8-10
Rockets: Aerospace engineering
Discipline: Mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering
Description: Students will work together in groups to design, construct and launch a solid-fuel model rocket.
Bookings: Rockets: Aerospace engineering
Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours
Year: 8-10
Waves of destruction
Discipline: Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering
Description: Explore the importance of coastal protection by using a mobile wave tank to simulate interacting with coral reefs and beaches. Working in groups, you'll discover the damage waves can have on our coastline and work out the best solutions to minimise this impact.
Bookings: Waves of destruction
Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours
Year: 8-10
Other activities (Years 8 to 12)
Information session
Description: Invite one of our High School Engagement team members to speak to your students about:
- engineering
- computer science and information technology
- architecture
- design
- urban planning
- admission pathways, adjustment schemes, and support services
- student life at UQ
- scholarships
Year: 8 - 12
Request a booking
Careers expo
Description: Invite UQ to host an information table at your school careers expo to answer questions:
- engineering
- computer science and information technology
- architecture
- design
- urban planning
Year: 8 to 12
Making an impact with engineering
Discipline: Engineering
Description: UQ Women in Engineering run an interactive presentation focussing on how diverse engineering really is, allowing students to think differently about the impact they can make on this world through engineering.
Full details: Making an impact with engineering
Duration: 1 hour
Year: 11 - 12
UQ Racing visit
Discipline: Mechanical engineering
Description: Looking for a great exhibition piece for STEM week? Or perhaps a guest speaker spot for the classroom? Our UQ Racing team would love to come and talk all things engineering and design with your students. They can even bring along their race car!
Bookings: UQ Racing visit
Duration: 1 hour
Year: 8-10
Request a booking
Make sure you submit your request at least 4 weeks in advance.
Request workshops and activities
Need help?
Contact us if you have any questions.