The 2026 National Quantum & Dark Matter Road Trip ignited hundreds of conversations about science and technology in Tasmania and across Australia.
The road trip visited 18 schools, organised 11 public events, ranging from pub trivia to community demonstration days, and held two industry events.
Road trippers engaged in open mic sessions and chatted with locals in the Roving Scientists Bar as part of the Beaker Street Festival in Hobart, engaged with the Launceston community at the Queen Victoria Museum and Gallery, and embraced the beauty of Tasmania as they toured the state.
They visited schools in Hobart, Exeter, Rosebery, Launceston, Brighton, Tullah, Devonport, Huonville, Triabunna, Smithton, Dover, Elizabeth, Burnie and Claremont. The school visits received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with teachers requesting longer sessions in the future!
Road trip pop up events were also held in Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth to share the joy of science and inspire future scientists during National Science Week.
Thank you to all of the road trippers for your enthusiasm and knowledge, to teachers for hosting us and to all the students who engaged with the visiting physicists and asked thoughtful questions. A big thank you also to the venues that hosted pub trivia as a way of sharing the joy of science with communities across Australia.
