- Forty-one community events and projects will share in more than $700,000 in funding under the Palaszczuk Government’s Engaging Science Grants program
- The grants aim to inspire more students to study STEM subjects, promote STEM careers and increase community awareness of science in Queensland
- Grants of up to $20,000 have been awarded to schools, universities, citizen science groups and organisations across Queensland
Forty-one community events and projects ranging from collecting population data of manta rays in the waters off Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) to using artificial intelligence technology to study changes in the Great Barrier Reef will share in more than $700,000 in funding under the Palaszczuk Government’s Engaging Science Grants program.
The grants provide funding to help increase engagement with scientists, as well as student and community participation in science-based events and activities.
Through the grants, the Palaszczuk Government aims to inspire more students to study STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects, promote STEM careers, and increase the community’s awareness of the amazing science happening in Queensland.
The grants also support citizen science projects that encourage people to volunteer their time to collect and analyse data that contributes to important Queensland research.
Grants of up to $20,000 have been awarded to schools, universities, citizen science groups and other organisations that are passionate about connecting students and other Queenslanders with science and scientists.
One of this year’s successful projects, coordinated by Griffith University and Gilmore Space Technologies, will help disadvantaged communities in the Logan area to partner with regional universities and schools to create a small satellite capable of gathering real-time data on directional fluctuations of the Earth’s magnetic field.
Griffith University’s School STEM Program about Space Exploration (SPASE) will receive a $19,803 grant towards their ‘SPASE 2.0’ project.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Science Leanne Linard:
“STEM is becoming increasingly important as the need for new and innovative solutions to address global issues continues to grow.
“We are committed to increasing participation in STEM-based activities across the state, particularly among our First Nations peoples, girls and women, and disadvantaged groups.
“I am very proud that more than 75% of funding in this round of the Engaging Science Grants will go towards projects that target these under-represented groups.
“Scientific innovation and discovery are the building blocks of a sustainable and thriving society, and investing in STEM projects is an investment in our future.”
Quotes attributable to Professor Paulo de Souza, Dean (Research), Griffith University (SPASE project):
“The SPASE 2.0 project is an extension to our original SPASE project which received almost $19,000 in funding in last year’s Engaging Science Grants round
“As part of that project, we engaged 65 high-performing students from 11 South East Queensland high schools, along with seven Griffith University academics and four key industry partners to design and build a low-orbit satellite.
“The SPASE 2.0 project will see additional school students from regional areas of Queensland join the project, which will hopefully lead to the satellite being launched into space later this year to gather data.
“Thanks to the Engaging Science Grants, we are providing students with an out-of-this-world experience as they gain opportunities to not only explore the wonder of space, but to also build their science and technology skills and understanding about STEM careers.”
