International Students Science Fair 2023

4 – 8 December 2023

A Heartfelt Thank You from Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology

We wish to express our deepest gratitude to all participants, attendees, and supporters of the International Students Science Fair 2023. Your enthusiasm, innovative contributions, and passion for scientific exploration have significantly contributed to the success of this event.

Special thanks to our students and educators for their hard work, our esteemed guests and judges for their invaluable insights, and our sponsors and volunteers for their unwavering support.

Your collective efforts have not only made this year’s Science Fair a memorable experience but have also inspired a brighter future for scientific discovery and education.

Thank you for joining us in this celebration of knowledge and innovation. We look forward to welcoming you to future events.

Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians
QASMT acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where we gather for ISSF 2023 and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We recognize their custodianship and role in caring for and maintaining Country over thousands of years; and their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We value the contributions and sophistication of First Nations knowledges to the field of Science.

Kath Kayrooz,
QASMT Principal
Message from the Principal, Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology

It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the 19th International Student Science Fair (ISSF) hosted at the Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology. This event is a celebration of the achievements and hard work of students from around the world who have dedicated themselves to scientific inquiry and discovery.

The ISSF is a prestigious event that brings together young aspiring scientists to showcase their innovative research projects and compete for recognition and awards. It serves as a platform for talented students to exchange ideas, collaborate, and demonstrate their scientific prowess on an international stage.

At QASMT we offer a rigorous academic program designed to challenge and engage students with a strong interest and aptitude in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects. We foster a passion for scientific inquiry, critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation among its students.

QASMT provides a range of advanced courses and enrichment programs, including subjects such as physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, computer science, and engineering. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of high-achieving students and prepare them for tertiary studies in STEM fields.

In addition to the academic curriculum, QASMT places great emphasis on research and inquiry-based learning. Students have opportunities to engage in independent research projects, participate in scientific competitions, and collaborate with industry and university partners. The school also encourages students to develop their leadership skills and engage in community service.

Our 2023 fair seeks to focus our collective attention on six (6) of the 17 United Nations (UN) ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDGs), specifically, goals 7, 11, 12, 13 14 and 15. These goals aim to address various global challenges and promote sustainable development.

Over the course of the fair, we will have the opportunity to witness the results of countless hours of research, experimentation, and analysis, as students present their projects aligned with one or more of these goals, under our overarching theme of Sustainable Futures. From biology to physics, from engineering to computer science, we will be amazed by the breadth and depth of knowledge and innovation on display.

We are honoured to host this event, and we are grateful to all the participants, teachers, and judges for their contributions. We believe that this fair represents a unique opportunity for students to showcase their talents, learn from one another, and engage in meaningful dialogue with experts in their fields.

We wish you all a productive and inspiring experience at the International Student Science Fair, and we look forward to witnessing the future of science and technology unfold before our eyes.

Thank you.

Our Academy

The Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics & Technology is a state school for highly-capable students in Years 7 to 12. The campus is located in the inner city suburb of leafy Toowong, in Brisbane, Australia.  Students from Year 7 – 9 study the Middle Years Programme (MYP) of the International Baccalaureate and students from Year 10 – 12 study the Diploma Programme. At QASMT our focus is helping students reach their full potential. This is achieved through the rigorous academic program, a focus on the holistic education of every student and the outstanding commitment of our staff.

Professor Doune Macdonald
Message from Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning), The University of Queensland

It is with immense pleasure that I extend my warmest welcome to all participants, educators and esteemed guests of the International Student Science Fair (ISSF) 2023. The University of Queensland is proud to collaborate with the Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology to host this extraordinary event.

As we gather on the picturesque campus of UQ St Lucia, we acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this Land, where teaching and learning have occurred for tens of thousands of years. We all have a part to play in Reconciliation, in caring for our environment and our colleagues, and I hope you develop a sense of connection to the places you visit and people you meet during your stay.

The ISSF2023 epitomises inquiry, exploration, and intellectual camaraderie, which together define the realm of scientific endeavour. During this year’s Fair, participants will have the opportunity to engage in workshops with UQ’s Faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology. These transformative experiences promise to equip you with skills and insights that stretch your horizons.

To the teachers and principals accompanying our young scholars, your guidance and mentorship are invaluable components of this shared journey. We thank you for guiding the next generation of scientific leaders and enriching the future of science.

As we celebrate ISSF2023, let us embrace the collaborative energy that propels scientific progress. May this event ignite an enduring passion for knowledge within each participant, and may the friendships forged and ideas exchanged become the cornerstones of future collaborations.

Welcome to The University of Queensland, welcome to ISSF2023, and welcome to a world where you can Own the Unknown.

Warm regards,

Professor Doune Macdonald

The University of Queensland

For more than a century, The University of Queensland (UQ) has delivered knowledge leadership for a better world. The most prestigious and widely recognised rankings of world universities consistently place UQ among the world’s top universities. UQ has also won more national teaching awards than any other Australian university. This commitment to quality teaching empowers our 55,000 current students, who study across UQ’s 3 campuses, to create positive change for society. Our research has global impact, delivered by an interdisciplinary research community of more than 2,500 academics and researchers at our 6 faculties, 8 research institutes and more than 100 research centres.

Coral Beds Down Under artwork

Artist biography

Josiah Omeenyo is from Lockhart River Queensland Australia and is a member of the Lockhart River Artists group. Josiah is well known for his coral reef themed painting using spectacular colour combinations.

He is not only the artist in his family, his mother and aunty are also involved with the Lockhart River artists. He uses paint on canvas and linen to share his stories with the world.

Notice of Custodial Interest of the Lockhart River Community: “This image embodies traditional ritual knowledge of the Lockhart River community in Queensland as painted by the artist. Dealing with any part of the images for any purpose that has not been authorised by the artist Josiah Omeenyo, a traditional landowner himself, is a serious breach of the customary laws of the Lockhart community”

ISSF 2023 is supported by