Media release: Cutting-edge science visits remote Queensland for Science Week

Regional and remote students will come face-to-face with Australian researchers at the forefront of scientific exploration when the National Quantum & Dark Matter Road Trip arrives in Queensland for National Science Week 2023.

The Queensland leg of the road trip will kick off with a free public lecture titled ‘Enlightening the search for dark matter’ on Monday 21 August, 6:30–8:00 pm at The University of Queensland in Brisbane.

A team of scientists from across Australia will then visit Townsville, Tully, Cairns, Redlynch, Atherton, Dimbulah, Gordonvale, Hughenden, Winton, Emerald and Mackay between 21 and 26 August.

The National Quantum & Dark Matter Road Trip aims to introduce students and communities in regional and remote Australia to quantum and dark matter science, and to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers in Australia.

It will visit 24 cities and towns across the country between 7 and 26 August, where it will deliver school visits and public events including lectures and pub trivia.

The road trip is organised by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics (CDM) and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS), which have bases in many of Australia’s capital cities.

Road trip organiser and physicist Dr Ben McAllister, from CDM and EQUS, said the event aimed to provide student in regional and remote areas with access to cutting-edge science.

“The National Quantum & Dark Matter Road Trip brings the excitement of science to students who live outside capital cities,” Dr McAllister said.

“During our sessions we will introduce secondary-school students to the mystery of dark matter and the impact of quantum technologies.

“We hope that by visiting these schools in northern Queensland we can show students the diversity, creativity and exciting potential of a career in science.”

The road trip is funded by a Federal Government National Science Week grant, EQUS and CDM.