National Science Week is back!
August is the month to meet scientists, discuss hot topics, do science and celebrate its cultural, environmental and economic impact on society. From 9th to 17th, there will be events to interest everyone in Melbourne, across regional Victoria and online.
Find an event that inspires you by visiting ScienceWeek.net.au
Here are some of the highlights
Decoding Dinosaurs – Melbourne Museum
Tuesday 12th August
Exploring the known, unknown, and the thrilling adaptations and survival of dinosaurs!
Aimed at children in school years F-6, you will see incredible images of dinosaurs and exploring how we know that they once looked that way
Nocturnal: Universe Decoded - Melbourne Museum
Thursday 14th August
Decode the wonders of our universe and celebrate National Science Week at Nocturnal, an adults only invite to experience Melbourne Museum up late and child free.
Kid’s Conference on Antarctica
Tuesday 12th August
The RSV is supporting a conference which runs all week for children invited from across Australia and internationally as well as a panel of Antarctic researchers from the University of Melbourne. Join the online session on Tuesday where students present their Antarctic research projects.
Specimens Across Time - Royal Botanic Gardens
Thursday 14th August
Join RSV at the National Herbarium of Victoria at the Royal Botanic Gardens for a special free public talk, Specimens Across Time, a 200th birthday tribute to Baron von Mueller—global scientific powerhouse, intrepid explorer, and founder of the Gardens.
To celebrate, experts from the Royal Botanic Gardens will share their favourite specimens from von Mueller's collection, and tell the fascinating stories behind them. Book here.
Tinkertown - Scienceworks
Weekends of 9th, 10th and 16th, 17th August
Engineers Australia will take over Tinkertown at Scienceworks over the two weekends of Science Week.
Their activities will encourage families to complete challenges, collaborate, create and imagine.
Sci Fight Comedy Debate - Howler, Brunswick
Tuesday 12th August
Science isn't all serious! Come to Howler and get psychological as a catharsis of comedians and scientists seek to discover whether psychology is science, pseudo, or potato.
Events in communities across Victoria
RSV through the Inspiring Victoria program has awarded competitive grants of up to $1000 each to 23 public libraries statewide to stage events. These include:
Explore Emerging Technologies like ChatGPT, Artificial Intelligence (AI), virtual reality, deepfakes, blockchain at Broadmeadows Library and find out what they all mean
The Wonderlab Science Fair across the Deer Park, St Albans and Keilor libraries - a hands-on science experience designed especially for inquisitive three- to five-year-olds and their grown-up partners. This playful event will spark early learning in physics and chemistry through fun and interactive discovery.
Get Scientwisted at the Bunjil Place Library in Narre Warren – a high-energy, 60-minute science show packed with wild experiments, big laughs, and hands-on fun for the whole family.
Visit Bubblemania – a fun and fizzy workshop for kids aged between five and 12 at the Hampton Park Library, where bubbles will take centre stage in hands-on experiments and sculpting challenges. Young scientists can explore surface tension, shapes, and the surprising science behind everyone’s favourite floating spheres.
Join the STEM Zone across Warragul, Drouin and Trafalgar for a hands-on adventure into nature’s hidden patterns, from spirals and magnetism to the mysteries of UV light.
Science Week Under the Stars: The Planetarium Dome is an immersive 360-degree astronomy experience hosted by the Whitehorse Manningham Libraries. Age-specific sessions for children in an awe-inspiring mobile dome will bring the Solar System to life through stunning visuals and interactive sky tours.
National Science Week began in 1997 and has become one of Australia’s largest festivals. Last year about 3.4 million people participated in 1983 registered events and activities.
In Victoria, the Royal Society of Victoria manages the National Science Week Victoria program with assistance from the Victorian Coordinating Committee, under the broader Inspiring Australia initiative, in partnership with the Commonwealth Department of Industry, Science & Resources, and the Victorian Department of Education.
Federally National Science Week is proudly supported by the Australian Government through Inspiring Australia, the CSIRO, the Australian Science Teachers Association, and the ABC.
For further information and event listings, head to www.scienceweek.net.au
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