International Baccalaureate Research Skills Program

IBRSP will provide comprehensive development in core research skills in:

• scientific literacy and research question development
• statistical analyses and presentation of scientific data (using Microsoft Excel)
• written scientific communication.

While IBRSP is delivered primarily in biological and environmental sciences contexts, the skills you'll develop are transferrable across disciplines and will be immediately relevant to the IB Extended Essay.

What to expect

• Gain research skills in academic literacy, written communication, and statistical analyses of data (data summary, Student’s t-test, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Pearson’s correlation coefficient, Spearman’s rank test, chi-squared test, etc. performed using Microsoft Excel).
• Experience university learning authentically with other budding scientists who plan on studying at university after completion of their high school studies.
• Find your tribe amongst other IB students across the state and discover how much fun it is to be around people who love research.

Learning snapshot

Subject to change, you'll learn about:

• nuances of varied forms of scientific literature
• development of research questions
• data analysis part 1 (categorical data)
• data analysis part 2 (continuous data)
• data analysis part 3 (count data)
• pep-talk and university advice.

Cost and requirements

• The cost of IBRSP is $66 (GST inclusive), including a limited edition IBRSP t-shirt and stickers.
• IBRSP is a non-residential, non-catered academic program. It's held at UQ's St Lucia campus from 9am to 3:30pm. 
• You'll need to bring your own laptop to perform statistical analyses in Microsoft Excel (2013 or higher). Smart devices (especially iPads) are not compatible with the requirements of the data analysis workshops.

Eligibility

• You must be in Year 11 IB studies.
• Interstate and international applicants are welcome.
• If you are a student from Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology, you have a scheduled day in Term 1 2026 to attend campus where these skills are covered. You are still welcome to attend IBRSP if you wish to practise those skills again.

How to apply

• Complete and submit the online application form by Sunday 24 May 2026.
• You'll be asked about your motivation for applying for IBRSP.
• There are limited places available.
• We will send out offers by Monday 25 May 2026. If you receive an offer, you must accept by Sunday 14 June 2026.

For more information

Email Dr Gurion Ang at gurion.ang@uq.edu.au.