National Science Week at the Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology

Queensland Chief Scientist, Professor Kerrie Wilson; Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology (QASMT) Acting Principal, Ms Kerry Bullock and members of the executive leadership team; QUT Faculty of Engineering Professor Michal Milford; UQ School of Mathematics and Physics Associate Professor Jacqui Romero; QASMT teaching staff and students. 

I, too, begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here today.

I am delighted to be here with you this morning as we delve into National Science Week 2024. I would like to thank Professor Kerrie Wilson for the invitation to accompany her and our other esteemed guests, as well as the dedicated staff and students of the Queensland Academy of Science, Mathematics and Technology.

I’m very interested to view the work that the Year 9 students have undertaken for their STEM showcase. I have no doubt that you have learned much through the process of collaboration that was required to deliver your community projects – and not just about science, maths and technology, but also about yourselves as learners, and as members of a team.

I’m also very keen to engage with students in Years 10 and 11 who have taken part in a STEM Research Project Program. I can’t wait to meet you and hear of your plans for the future – I might even meet an aspiring Queensland Chief Scientist among you, who knows!

With the advent of National Science Week back in 1997, we were given licence to shine a light on the ‘contributions of Australian scientists to the world of knowledge.’ And there have been so many contributions to date.

But National Science Week is also very much about igniting a flame of interest in young people to get involved in science, to be curious and inquisitive about the world in which they live.

This great state of Queensland of which I am proud to be Governor, owes its prosperity, its wellbeing, in large part, to the people who have dedicated their working lives to the understanding and implementation of Science, Mathematics and Technology across a range of sectors such as agriculture, health and the environment.

Like them, we hope you will be inspired to stoke the fire under your own passion for science and see what contributions you can make to the common good of all Queenslanders and all Australians.

Thank you.