Growing plants in space, singing palaeontologists, and star parties! Here’s a taster of events in South Australia this National Science Week.
National Science Week Premiere – Little Scientists Big Blue. 22 August, North Adelaide.
Walk the red carpet and dive into an ocean adventure with the official premieres of two new Porci’s Ocean Patrol short films.
Little Scientists, Big Blue follows Porci the Porcupine Fish on an imaginative journey through kelp forests, deep-sea ecosystems and marine wildlife, exploring the science helping protect our oceans. Porci Explores Marine Parks showcases South Australia’s 26 State and Commonwealth Marine Parks and the science behind their protection and management. Hosted by the Marine Discovery Centre and National Parks and Wildlife Service SA, this family-friendly event combines animation, marine science and hands-on discovery to inspire future ocean explorers.
Plants for Space – Mission to the Moon. 15 August, Adelaide.
Plants are essential to life as we know it on Earth, and we’ll need them to survive as humans travel to the Moon and Mars.
In this workshop, you’ll put yourself in the shoes of plant scientists, psychologists, food chemists and more to prepare a plant-inspired solution for a space mission; with limited food, water and space onboard, you’ll need to think creatively! Hear from real researchers about how plants grow in space.
Naracoorte ROCKS – The world beneath our feet. 14 – 16 August, Naracoote.
Step into a weekend of discovery, adventure and family fun at Naracoorte Rocks.
A three-day science festival at the world-famous Naracoorte Caves. The festival kicks off on Friday 14 August with a live recording of the Palaeo Jam podcast at The Caves Café. On Saturday, budding young artists can meet the singing palaeontologist Professor Flint, get tips for this year’s Mary Anning Art Prize, and join special cave tours led by Professor Flint and science supergroup The Ammonites. Along the way, discover fascinating stories from the Naracoorte Caves through a series of fun video features. The excitement continues on Sunday with a free family science show by The Ammonites in the magical setting of Blanche Cave, featuring science, music and plenty of opportunities to get involved.
Science in the Outback Pub. 18 August, Streaky Bay | 19 August, Penong.
What is your connection to the ocean?
Do you love the ocean? That’s biophilia. Or do you fear it? That’s biophobia. To learn about biophilia, biophobia and everything in between, come to Science in the Outback Pub during National Science Week. You will hear from two fantastic researchers who examine our relationship to the ocean, and how spending time with the ocean changes how we think, feel and act.
A Night Under the Stars with the Astronomical Society of South Australia. 15 August, Stockport.
Blast off on a family adventure under the stars at the ASSA Observatory in Stockport!
Join the Astronomical Society of South Australia for an unforgettable evening of discovery, where children and adults alike can explore the wonders of the night sky together. Enjoy fascinating astronomy talks, hands-on activities for young space explorers, and laser-guided tours of planets, stars and nebulae. Get up close with the universe through powerful visual and electronic telescopes, then learn how to capture your own celestial images in a mobile phone astrophotography workshop.
Whether you’re a curious beginner or a budding astronomer, this family-friendly Star Party is the perfect opportunity to experience the magic of the cosmos.
Scientific Bubble Show at Walkerville Town Hall. 18 August. Gilberton.
Get ready to be wowed by bubbles like you’ve never seen before!
Join world-record holder Marty McBubble for a laugh-out-loud science show packed with giant bubbles, amazing experiments and hands-on fun for the whole family. Watch as Marty uses quirky gadgets and a splash of science to create incredible bubble rockets, volcanoes, tornadoes, cubes, carousels and even bubble jellyfish. Along the way, discover the fascinating science that makes these spectacular creations possible.
And here’s an extra fun fact: Marty holds the world record for the tallest bubble ever made. How high can a bubble go? Come along and find out!
Marie Curie Series – Painting the universe – A visual and musical exploration of space-time with Dr Karelle Siellez. 24 August. Adelaide.
Through sound, art, and astrophysics, discover how cosmic collisions create the elements that make up our world.
Explore the story of gravitational waves at the 2026 Claire Corani Memorial Lecture, part of the Australian Institute of Physics’ Marie Curie Lecture Series. Learn how “multi-messenger” signals, including kilonovae and gamma-ray bursts, reveal the Universe’s most dramatic events. Blending science and creativity, this lecture shows how listening to the cosmos, and protecting its silence, can deepen our connection to nature, humanity, and the Universe.
Find more events in South Australia by visiting scienceweek.net.au
