The Australian Capital Territory is home to Mount Stromlo Observatory, the creatures of Mulligan’s Flat, and literally dozens of research centres with hundreds of scientists.
Dr Rachelle Bonner GAICD, ACT coordinating committee co-chair, officially launched Science Week in the ACT, saying:
“It reminds us that science isn’t locked away in a lab or reserved for white coats and textbooks. Science is everywhere: in our kitchens, in our parks, in our bodies, our weather, and our Wi-Fi. It’s the reason your phone knows where you are. It’s how we predict bushfires, develop vaccines, grow food, design transport systems, and explore the stars.”
Below is a selection of highlight events to give you a taste of the science smorgasbord on offer. Alternatively, use the search engine to find more events in the ACT.
Science in the Centres: See snakes, scientists, robots, rockets while you shop – both weekends of Science Week
Pop-up activity centres will give shoppers the chance to discover the science behind reptiles, engineering, water bugs, space, robotics and the environment.
Westfield Belconnen, Westfield Woden, South Point Tuggeranong, Cooleman Court, Gungahlin Marketplace, Majura Park Shopping Centre and the Canberra Centre will host a variety of displays and hands-on science activities during the weekends of National Science Week (9 – 10 and 16 – 17 August).
Meet scientists and take part in activities from Robogals, Young Engineers Canberra, Mt Stromlo Observatory, Engineers Australia, Questacon, Canberra Reptile Zoo, and more.
Each centre will have different activities, but there will be rocket launching, live reptiles, human sized moving robots, and kids soil science.
The Equality Equation – Women who shaped Australian science: Saturday 9 – Sunday 17 August in Acton
From the palaeontologist whose life’s work went up in flames to the physicist who helped pioneer radio astronomy but was forced to leave her career when she got married, Australia’s scientific history is full of women we should all know but whose stories we were never told.
She Shapes History hosts two-hour walking tours through Canberra’s scientific heart. Participants will wander through sites like the science precinct of the ANU, uncovering the overlooked contributions of women in STEM whose work changed how we understand the world. They will meet scientists who broke ground in botany, physics, medicine, palaeontology and so much more.
Science In and Out of the Pub: Frogs, fungus and funky metals – Thursday 14 August in Turner
Something strange is happening in our wetlands. The frogs are falling silent—and scientists are racing to find out why. Join us for an evening of detective-style science, where real-world conservation meets curiosity, creativity, and community.
At this relaxed, interactive event, guests will step into the world of amphibian research, where the culprit is a deadly fungus with a name as long as its impact: Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. But this isn’t just a sad story—it’s also one of innovation and hope.
Canberra scientists are experimenting with unexpected tools: frog-sized saunas, spa treatments, and even trace metals like copper and zinc that might give frogs a fighting chance.
Chemistry in the Pub: Thursday 14 August in Canberra
Eight speakers are lined up to educate and entertain on chemistry-related topics that are close to their hearts. Hosted by the musically talented and exuberant Dr Phil Dooley, participants are bound to learn some new facts, some new songs, some new words and see some pretty pictures.
This event is perfect for anyone who is enthusiastic about science, catering to those in year 10 and just learning the elements to fully qualified chemists.
Climb and Discover – The science behind your favourite boulders: Thursday 14 August in Fyshwick
Join the Geological Society of Australia (GSA) at BlocHaus for an exciting, interactive pop-up event exploring the geology of your favourite outdoor bouldering spots.
Discover the fascinating geological processes that shaped iconic climbing landscapes both locally and nationally, guided by enthusiastic Earth scientists ready to answer questions.
Participants can get hands-on with rock samples, using geological hand lenses to reveal the hidden textures of the rocks beneath their fingers.
Rainbow Roses: Science and disability empowerment: Monday 11 – Friday 15 August in Farrer
People with disabilities are making rainbow roses to learn about the explosive strength of capillary pressure. The wider community in Canberra are invited to do the same.
Gayana, a 26-year-old woman with Down syndrome who opened her own flower shop, is co-presenting these workshops which are accessible to people with intellectual and cognitive disabilities.
Stars in 3D: Saturday 16 August in Civic
Stars in 3D is a dance-science presentation taking audiences on a 4-dimensional trip through space and time, exploring the key concepts of cutting-edge research from the Big Bang, Gravitational Waves and to the present-day. Featuring world first simulations of the universe, Stars in 4D challenges the status quo – the show features the Chamaeleon Collective, Canberra’s first inclusive youth dance company, creating works at the cutting edge of science and technology.
Australian Federal Police X Questacon: Saturday 16 August in Parkes
Join the Australian Federal Police at Questacon this National Science Week for a science-meets-crime-fighting extravaganza the whole family will love.
Step into the shoes of an AFP STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) expert and uncover the science behind solving crimes. Get hands-on with fingerprint matching, secret writing and decoding activities, AI demos, interactive forensic science exhibits, and more.
Foodie Fun Play with inflatable, edible fruit and veg: Saturday 16 August in Chifley
Show-and-tell takes a deliciously twisted turn with Dr Chloe Lim. The former reality TV star and trained molecular biologist (with a PhD in Medical Science) introduces pre-schoolers and primary school kids to healthy eating via balloon twisting and tasting stations.
Chloe founded edutainment venture, Twistyfic, and made the finals of Channel 7’s TV show, Blow Up.
Creative Computing for Seniors Workshop (using Scratch): Saturday 16 August in Greenway
Senior Australians will have the opportunity to learn computer programming at workshops tailored for people who aren’t digital natives.
Billed as more fun than Sudoku or crosswords, Creative Computing for Seniors focuses on keeping brains active by learning how to write and run programs via a block-based coding platform called Scratch.
The free workshop at Canberra Institute of Technology Tuggeranong offers an introduction to the platform that empowers students to create games, animations, stories, interactive art, and more – simply by moving graphical blocks much like a puzzle.
BuzzACT: Dancers with disability pollinate science and inclusion: Sunday 17 August
Explore the importance of bees for ecology, biodiversity and our food train through ‘BuzzACT’, a dance-and-science show for children.
Canberra’s inclusive dance performance group, The Chamaeleon Collective, comprises 70% of artists living with disability, chronic illness and/or PTSD.
Launched in 2020, The Chamaeleon Collective, is part of The Stellar Company, founded by dance artist/choreographer/producer, Liz Lea. The initiative provides professional mentoring and career pathways for emerging artists with and without disability.
