We love National Science Week! With over 1,000 activities happening across Australia from the 12th – 20th August, there’s sure to be an activity that piques your curiosity.

 

National Science Week 2023 is just around the corner and this year’s theme is Innovation: Powering Future Industries. So to celebrate, we’ve rounded up 16 Science Week activities happening outdoors in and around our capital cities this week to get the inner scientist in you hungry for knowledge!

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Canberra / Ngambri and Ngunnawal Country

1. Forecourt Tours and Tea with Adam Shipp at Canberra’s National Museum

Take a guided seasonal walk through Christina and Trevor Kennedy Garden with Wiradjuri man Adam Shipp. This garden is a living museum of First Nations food and medicine plants of Australia.

Date: 11th – 12th August
Duration: 1.5 hours multiple times throughout the day
Cost: $25 Adult

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2. Unconformity Geology Tour at Parliament House, Canberra

Did you know there are secret tunnels under Parliament House? Join geologists from Geoscience Australia for an underground tour of Parliament House to explore an ancient rock phenomenon called an ‘Unconformity’. Photo ID is required for entry. 

Date: 11th – 12th August
Duration: 1 hour multiple times throughout the day
Cost: $76 Adult

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Sydney / Warrane, Gadigal Country

3. Science of Nature Community Open Day at Sydney City Farm, St Peters, NSW 

Looking for a fun event for the whole fam? Explore an organic farm and learn how to support biodiversity in the city while hearing from Aboriginal educators, enjoying a scavenger hunt or touching bugs.   

Date: 12th August
Time: 10am to 3pm
Cost: FREE

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4. Koala Citizen Science Training Day in the Hawkesbury – Grove Vale Scout Hill, Kurrajong, NSW

Curious about koalas? Total Environment Centre and WIRES are holding a citizen science training day with the Sydney Basin Koala Network (SBKN). Learn how to record koala sightings, scats, and habitats.

Date: 12th August
Time: 10am – 4pm
Cost: $25

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Darwin / Garramilla, Larrakia Country

5. Movie and Astronomy Night at Deckchair Cinema, Darwin, NT

Enjoy a movie under the stars followed by a star tour! Casuarina Senior College Top End Star Gazers are holding a stargazing and astronomy presentation at Deckchair Cinema following the screening of ‘Endangered Generation?’.

Date: 18th August
Time: 7pm – 11pm
Cost: Included in movie ticket 

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6. Drone Pilot Experience at Charles Darwin University Open Day, Brinkin NT 

Fancy yourself a drone pilot? Join qualified drone pilots and trainers for some tips on launching your drone flying career and test your drone skills at CDU open day.  

Date: 19th August
Time: 9am – 1pm
Cost: FREE No registration needed

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Brisbane / Meanjin, Turrbal and Jagera Country

Darwin

7. Platypus Watch – Ian Keiler Drive Robelle Domain Parkland, Springfield Central 

Early birds will love this one! Join Springfield Lakes Nature Care Inc to observe platypus at dawn, followed by breakfast at Robelle Domain. 

Date: 13th August
Time: 4:45am – 8am
Cost: FREE

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8. Planetarium Album Launch  – Conspiracy of One – Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium

Take a musical journey through the stars. Songwriter and Science Communicator Nathan Eggins (AKA Conspiracy of One) is launching his album, Road to Reason. 

Date: 20th August
Time: 3:30pm – 6:30pm
Cost: $33 Adult

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Adelaide / Tarndanya, Kaurna Country

9. Investigating Critical Corridors: Using data to determine dolphin migratory pathways in the region – Shoal Bay, Kangaroo Island 

Doing it for the dolphins! Join the volunteers at Kangaroo Island / Victor Harbor Dolphin Watch to complete an open workshop to learn about collecting data and monitoring the dolphins around Kangaroo Island.  

Date: 8th – 18th August
Time: Daily 10am – 5pm
Cost: FREE

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10. Guided tour of the South Australian Seed Conservation Centre – Adelaide Botanical Gardens 

Interested in a career in plant conservation? Join the team at South Australia’s Seed Conservation Centre and tour the Threatened Seed Orchard, the seed bank, and its laboratories.  

Date: 14th – 20th August
Duration: Multiple 1-hour tours
Cost: FREE

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Hobart / Nipaluna, Mouheneener Country

11. Beaker Street Crawl – Salamanca Market, Hobart

Go on a Science Crawl! Hobart’s Salamanca Market will host Beaker Street Nerd Collective, where scientists, bagpipes, blacksmiths, and microscopes all come together for a fun and informative Science Crawl.

Date: 5th August
Time: 9am – 2pm
Cost: FREE Download your Crawl map 

 

12. NOCTURNA Dark Sky Retreat – Spring Bay Mill, Triabunna 

A weekend of music, storytelling, and astronomy! NOCTURNA is a weekend of connecting to nature. You’ll hear from members of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community and Dark Sky Tasmania about preserving darkness and our connection to nature. 

Date: 11th – 13th August (full weekend)
Cost: $140 Adult (single day)

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Melbourne / Naarm, Wurundjeri Country

13. Footy Oval Astronomy, Monbulk Rangers Soccer Ground, Monbulk

Escape the city lights! Join the Mount Burnett Observatory team to check out the stars on the Monbulk Rangers footy ground. Gaze skyward, learn about Indigenous astronomy, and listen to guest speakers.  

Date: 19th August
Time: 7pm – 10pm
Cost: FREE

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14. Composting Workshop with Very Edible Gardens, Forest Hill, Victoria

Make friends with worms. Join a free composting workshop with Strathdon House and Orchard Precinct in collaboration with the Waste Reduction and Recycling Team from Very Edible Gardens. 

Date: 19th August
Time: 1pm – 2:30pm
Cost: FREE

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Perth / Boorloo, Noongar Country

15. Birdlife WA: Walk at Yanchep National Park, Yanchep 

Calling all twitchers! Birdlife WA will be conducting a bird walk around Yanchep National Park, followed by a talk at the Yanchep library. Binoculars will be provided. 

Date: 12th August
Time: 9am – 11:30am
Cost: FREE

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16. Family Volunteering at Wells Park, Kwinana 

Planting for the future. Ignite Award and Volunteering WA are restoring dunes and bushlands at Wells Park, Kwinana. Help plant 500 coastal seedlings and contribute to restoring the fragile coastal environment.  

Date: 19th August
Time: 9:30am – 11:30am
Cost: FREE

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Check out the entire National Science Week program and get your science on!

 

Feature photo by @pippa.heidi