Learning & engagement

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Engaging with people of all ages and backgrounds is at the heart of our museums' purpose. Your donation can help us continue to deliver a wide range of learning programs and resources to foster a sense of curiosity and share knowledge, including:

Children using the Queensland Museum loans kit

QM Loans

Our QM Loans program provides kits of museum specimens, artefacts and learning materials directly to schools and community groups across Queensland, putting them in touch—literally—with Queensland’s natural and cultural history.

Each kit is crafted by our educators and scientists to provide museum-quality experiences for Queenslanders who may not have regular opportunities to visit our museums in person. Covering themes such as biodiversity, geosciences, cultures, histories, science and technology, our kits are reviewed regularly to ensure alignment with the Australian curriculum.

One of the largest programs of its kind in the world, every year more than 85,000 students, community groups and early-learning centres in regional Queensland enjoy free access to QM Loans via 27 regional collection points across the state.

learner using the learning resources platform on a computer screen

Resources and workshops

Our experts produce an extensive program of learning opportunities which are free or very low cost to access. This includes blogs, podcasts, articles and books, our incredible digital Image Library, Ask an Expert, Learning Resources to use at home and in the classroom. We also deliver regional workshops for teachers to support STEM engagement in the classroom and a wide range of activities for students and teachers through our annual World Science Festival.

Queensland Women in STEM Prize

As the world experiences profound technological change, skills in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) have become critical to Australia’s future prosperity. Only 28% of those working in STEM-qualified industries are women.

The annual Queensland Women in STEM Prize is presented by Queensland Museum, the Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist, and the Office for Women and Violence Prevention.

The Prize recognises Queensland women in the first 15 years of their career, who are making an outstanding contribution in the fields of STEM and thriving in their chosen profession. It also aims to inspire girls and young women from diverse backgrounds to pursue STEM careers.

You can also support learning and engagement initiatives by joining the Guardians of Queensland Museum.