Here’s a taster of events in Tasmania this National Science Week.
Barefoot in Antarctica: Dr Karl live in Burnie. 15 August. Burnie.
Australia’s favourite nerd, Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, returns with stories of surviving an Antarctic blizzard (barefoot), test-driving four-wheel drives across the Simpson Desert, the reality of beer goggles, and how he helped bring the word “selfie” into English. Along the way he revisits his glorious television past, from TV weather reports to Play School. Part of the Beaker Street Festival, Tasmania’s annual celebration of science and culture. Saturday 15 August: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/dr-karl-live-in burnie/burnie
Murder on Beaker Street – The science of true crime. 14 August. Hobart.
A body is discovered. Investigators arrive on the scene. They find no obvious signs of attack or trauma, but something’s not right. It’s the stuff of our favourite podcasts and binge-TV, but how much of true crime is actually true?
Join the A-team from Forensic Science Service Tasmania for a front-row seat to how criminal cases really come together. From the first sweep of a crime scene to the forensics lab, they’ll reveal what gets collected in all those little plastic bags, what gets tested, and what can (and can’t) be proven. Plus we’ll hear about the latest genetic tools being deployed to solve decades-old cold cases.
Content warning: Mature themes, gory details, and likely some criminally bad language.
ExBEERimental Science 2026. 21 August- 12 September. Launceston, Burnie and Hobart.
Four Tasmanian brewers serve up an identical recipe for beer, resulting in vastly different sensory traits.
ExBEERimental Science showcases how small variations in brewing techniques impact our experience of downing a cold one. Hear about the science and taste the difference with beer loving scientists Kelsey Picard and Matthew Fielding. Audience members can join the live event in Hobart at Shambles Brewery.
Pedal Powered Cinema. 22 August. Hobart
Moviegoers in New Town will pedal two bikes to generate the electricity powering the projector at Pedal Powered Cinema, screening children’s films followed by (rated M), the true story of a boy in Malawi who invents an unconventional way to save his village from famine. Energy expert Mike Fewings will explain how the bike-powered system of batteries and inverters works, prompting discussion about generating personal power and other ways to help the environment. Pedal-powered smoothies and pizza will be on offer between screenings.
NatureTracking Across the Furneaux Islands. 19 August. Flinders Island.
Wanted: people who can spot a wedge-tailed eagle – Whitemark NatureTrackers runs three annual citizen science surveys – CallTrackers, Claws on the Line and Where? Where? Wedgie! – tracking bats, bitterns, burrowing crayfish and Tasmania’s threatened wedge-tailed eagles. They are rigorously designed, they run every year, and they need volunteers. Drop into the Whitemark library to find out how to take part in tracking the changing conservation status of threatened.
Island of Ideas – How Social Media Is Changing Science Communication. 12 August. Sandy Bay.
Join astrophysicist, Wiradjuri woman and science communicator Dr Kirsten Banks for an engaging keynote exploring how digital platforms are transforming science communication. Drawing on her own experience reaching global audiences online, Kirsten examines how complex ideas can be made accessible without sacrificing accuracy, and what this means for trust, misinformation and public understanding in an increasingly connected world.
BIG Day of Science 2026 – Free Quantum and Dark Matter Family Workshop. 22 August. Invermay.
Step into the world of quantum physics and dark matter with the National Quantum & Dark Matter Road Trip. Run by the ARC Centres of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics (CDM) and Quantum Biotechnology (QUBIC), these interactive sessions combine bite-sized talks, hands-on experiments, badge making, and the chance to meet the scientists unraveling some of the Universe’s biggest mysteries. Now in its fifth year, the road trip returns to Tasmania during National Science Week, wrapping up at QVMAG’s Big Day of Science. Suitable for all ages, with parent or guardian supervision required.
Find more events in Tasmania by visiting scienceweek.net.au
