Engineering, Design and Computing School Holiday Program

The School Holiday Program introduces Year 9 and 10 students to Engineering, Design and Computing. 

Students will learn to think like engineers, architects, designers, urban planners and computing professionals through hands-on workshops and presentations led by our lecturers and Student Ambassador team. They will also have the chance to explore the campus and discover everything UQ has to offer. 

Here’s what you’ll get into: 

  • Hands-on workshops:  Work on real university projects, experiment, solve problems and challenge your brain. 
  • Connect with experts: Meet UQ students and academics who are pros in their fields, ready to share insights and answer your questions. 
  • Check out the UQ St Lucia campus and our amazing facilities: Learn in the same labs and spaces where our own UQ students work and bring ideas to life every day. 

Date and time

  • June 30 - July 3, 2026
  • 8:45am - 3pm

Cost

$35 (+GST) per day.

Registration

Registrations will open early in 2026.

Important information

  • Please note each workshop has a max capacity, and registrations will close once this number is reached.
  • Students do not need to prepare anything before attending our workshops.
  • Students can bring their own lunch or buy lunch from one of the food outlets on campus.
  • Attendees are expected to stay with the group for the entire day.
  • Images and videos may be taken for the use of marketing purposes, please advise event staff via email should you not want your or your childs photo taken.

Event enquiries

Please get in touch with the Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology Outreach and Engagement team at outreach@eait.uq.edu.au 

Day 1: Engineering Day 1: Build a semi-autonomous fire truck

30 June 2026 8:45am3:00pm
Spend the day at UQ Innovate building and programming an autonomous fire truck from the ground up. In the afternoon, test your creation in simulated fire scenarios during the competition.

Day 2: Architecture, Design and Urban Planning: Designing for resilience: climate ready homes for Queenslanders

1 July 2026 8:45am3:00pm
Step into the role of architect, designer, and urban planner in this fun, hands-on workshop where you’ll design and build a model home ready to take on Queensland’s toughest weather challenges.

Day 3: Computer Science and Information Technology: Multiple concurrent workshops 

2 July 2026 8:45am2:45pm
Spend the day at UQ exploring the world of computing, coding, AI and digital technology through a series of hands-on workshops led by UQ staff and students. Students will learn how computers communicate through binary coding, program Raspberry Pi devices using Python, and discover how AI and data science are transforming industries such as sport and technology. 

Day 4: Engineering Day 2: Build a semi-autonomous fire truck (repeat session)

3 July 2026 8:45am3:00pm
Spend the day at UQ Innovate building and programming an autonomous fire truck from the ground up. In the afternoon, test your creation in simulated fire scenarios during the competition.