National Science Week

National Science Week features more than 2,000 events around Australia each year, with events delivered by universities, schools, research institutions, libraries, museums and science centres.

In Queensland this year:

• Inspiring Australia Queensland will launch the week with fun activities in Cairns
• You can learn about the stars and how the solar system was formed, including trying telescopes, at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum in Winton
• a free public event – Soapbox Science Brisbane – will be held at the Queensland Street Mall, where 12 female scientists will present their research
• a virtual reality experience where the brains meet brawn, as Toowoomba Clydesdales rugby players provide insights into sports psychology
• a Future Flight Science Fair: a lively street-style celebration of aerospace innovation will take place at the Sunshine Coast Maker Space
• a evening of music and science – and misinformation chats at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.

For more information

• Visit the National Science Week website to find activities in your local area.
• Teachers can download a free resources book to inspire lesson plans based on the theme, Seeds of Science: nurturing science for all.
• National Science Week is a program of Inspiring Australia, a national strategy for getting Australians engaged with science. Some Queensland events have received support from Inspiring Australia. You can see the list of grant recipients on the Queensland Inspiring Australia website and find a wealth of science engagement activities for you to participate in.
• If you’re looking for an activity for children to do at home, check out the Awesome Activities conservation and sustainability book (PDF, 6.6MB) which features profiles of Queensland scientists and activities like puzzles, experiments and colouring-in.
• If looking for other learning opportunities, visit the STEM learning opportunities web page to discover science-related student competitions and awards, holiday programs and clubs, places to visit, resources, school and vocational education programs, university initiatives and courses, and workshops and events in your area.
• You can also learn about previous National Science Week celebrations.

Video resources

The Queensland Chief Scientist has prepared some short videos for playing at National Science Week events:

• for school events option 1 or option 2
• for community events.

View transcripts for all videos.