BIOTech Futures is an innovation and mentorship program that aims to empower the brightest young minds. The initiative connects high school students with world-class academics to think creatively about scientific inspired solutions to challenges in the fields of Health, Medicine, Sustainability, Humanitarian aid and the Environment.
The Queensland BIOTech Futures Challenge is hosted by the ARC Training Centre for Joint Biomechanics with QUT’s High School Student Engagement program.
The Challenge gives students in years 9-12 the opportunity to develop solutions to current real-world challenges. They will be encouraged to use an innovative approach in designing and developing their solution and will be guided throughout their project by mentors with experience in the field such as academics, researchers, and university students. By participating in this program, students will gain valuable first-hand experience in scientific research, be inspired to tackle real-world problems and have the opportunity to form lasting bonds with world-class researchers. The Challenge also gives students the opportunity to present their work to academics, biotech industry representatives, and their peers.
Students will work individually or in teams of up to 5 and either pick a project or come up with an idea of their own to pursue. We are encouraging students to come up with their own projects this year and inspiration can be found on the Challenge website:
They will undergo a research process examining existing literature and conducting experiments where appropriate. Students will present their innovations at the Symposium (13th July 2023), an event we hope that they can share with their families, peers, and teachers. Please note that this event will be a hybrid in-person and online event to increase accessibility.
Key requirements of the challenge are listed below:
- A full-colour A2-size poster
- Short answer questions relating to their project
- A 1500-word report (optional)
- A prototype/model (optional)
Prizes will be awarded to participants who produce the most scientifically sound and innovative solutions and who are best able to express their ideas in a research poster and oral presentation. Further prizes will be available for students who wish to explore their innovation in more depth by drafting a report and/or creating a prototype or model of their innovation.
The winner and runners-up from the Queensland Chapter will then be flown out to Sydney to have a chance to compete as a finalist in the Sydney Symposium on the 23rd October 2023.
The BIOTech Futures Challenge strongly encourages students from all backgrounds to apply!
To register to participate in the Challenge, all your students need to do is have their team captain fill out this registration form (google form): https://forms.gle/osDuSUeV9wRU8aSY7
We will be hosting a kick-off event and student/mentor meet and greet. The event will be on:
- Tuesday 2nd of May at 4:00-6:00pm (AEST) at QUT Gardens Point Campus.
If you can't access the google form, please email highschool.engage@qut.edu.au.
