Zoomed-in-science

Bringing real scientific research laboratories directly into the primary classroom!

Regional and remote school children often miss out on most of the engaging science activities given the cost associated with travelling to/from these communities.

Zoomed in Science breaks down these barriers by organizing virtual sessions!

Developed by the Centre for Materials Science, Zoomed-In Science is a QUT-sponsored virtual outreach program that brings real scientific research laboratories directly into the primary classroom. Students meet and interact with real scientists in their own labs through stimulating live and interactive online presentations that involve experiments, educational talks, and two-way discussions. The program enhances student engagement in curriculum-aligned STEM areas. The online nature of the program allows us to engage with diverse and far-reaching audiences from remote and regional communities, as well as offer students’ activities that are not possible to undertake in school environments. This makes it a truly exciting and inspiring program!

Sessions are free!

At the Centre for Materials Science, we believe all schools and students, especially those in regional and remote communities should have access to STEM outreach activities. We partner with generous sponsors from industry and government who share this sentiment to ensure that Zoomed-In Science session fees remain waived for schools.

Organizer

2023 Community sponsorship program

2023 ZIS kit sponsor

To solve the grand challenges society faces we need to inspire our future generations to pursue careers in STEM. By partnering with us you are helping to instil curiosity and excitement about science by providing students with a unique experience to meet and interact with a scientist in a functioning research laboratory. QUT’s Centre for Materials Science are seeking metropolitan, regional and remote partners in industry and government to ensure Zoomed-In Science can remain freely accessible to schools and students in the years to come. By sponsoring this program you are committing to building capacity in your community and contributing to breaking inclusion barriers! We have multiple sponsorship packages or can tailor a partnership arrangement to your needs.

Meet the team

Zoomed-In Science presentations are delivered by exceptional, real-world scientists including research students (Honours, Masters or PhD level), professional early- and mid- career researchers, and academics. The sessions are designed collaboratively, with the contribution of external school teachers (currently serving Education Queensland primary schools).

Dr. Michael Pfrunder & Dr Kathleen Mullen

Research scientists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can register for a Zoomed-In Science session?

Any primary school or primary school teacher working within Queensland can register for sessions for their students. Regional and remote school children often miss out on many of the engaging science activities that are currently on offer given the costs associated, so schools and teachers in these areas are especially encouraged to register.

Are the sessions aligned with Curriculum?

Each Zoomed-In Science presentation is carefully prepared in collaboration with currently serving Education Queensland primary school teachers to complement a specific STEM C2C unit.

To align with research into children’s interaction with STEM showing that children begin to identify themselves as potential scientists as early as kindergarten, Zoomed-In Science presents material across grades Prep to year 6.

Which class grade are the sessions suitable for?

Sessions are adapted to students from prep to year 6.

How does it look from the classroom?

What makes the virtual experience unique?

Given the online nature of this program we can offer students activities that, due to safety constraints, are not possible to undertake in school environments. This makes it a truly exciting and inspiring program

How much does it cost?

It is free! At the Centre for Materials Science, we believe all schools and students, especially those in regional and remote communities should have access to STEM outreach activities. We partner with generous sponsors from industry and government who share this sentiment to ensure that Zoomed-In Science session fees remain waived for schools.

I am a scientist. How can I participate?

Zoomed-In Science is always seeking eager presenters. Not only does participation in the Zoomed-In Science program give you an opportunity to provide firsthand education to our next generation of scientists, but also boosts your academic career by developing critical soft-skills and demonstrating your service and commitment to the scientific community.

If you are passionate about both science and educating our next generation of thinkers please get in touch and we can work out how you can get involved!

Testimonials

“One of my most challenging students was actually one of the most engaged in your session, and it was just all round amazing”

– teacher

“It was great for kids to see real scientists working in a lab and have both male and female scientists represented. Hopefully this will also instil a love of science in our girls!”

– teacher

“Because it was closely aligned we easily hung our subsequent learning and activities on the work from the lab.”

– teacher

“I liked looking at the lab because it made it very interesting and cool.”

– student

“I liked how Dr Michael showed us experiments in the lab that we can’t do here at school!.”

– student