With 1130 events (and counting) there are so many opportunities for everyone to experience science – and this year, you can join in most of the events from the comfort of your own home.
There are some fantastic events on this week, but if you want to join in, and don’t know where to start, try out some of these activities which are running ALL WEEK LONG!
Make sure to tag us @Aus_ScienceWeek on Twitter or @NationalScienceWeek on Facebook, and use the #scienceweek to let us know what you’re attending.
Fun for kids
Deep Blue Marine STEAM Competition for 3-10 year olds
Tuesday 21 July – Sunday 23 August
Get involved with the National Science Week 2020 theme of Deep Blue with the Marine STEAM competition (for 3-10 year olds). Your challenge – create a marine creature from materials around your home and backyard! There are lots of cool prizes to be won, so head on over to the website to find out all the details.
Young Scientist Paper Planes Challenge
Wednesday 12 – Friday 28 August
Do you know your darts from your gliders? Do you understand aeronautical engineering and origami? Don’t worry – for the Young Scientist Paper Plane Challenge, none of this is needed – all you need to do is make a paper plane!
You’ll need an A4 sheet of paper, and an adult to witness your throw, but if you’re in K – 12, you can use your paper plane to compete against people all over the world. There will be medals awarded in different age categories for both longest distance and longest airtime throws.
Sign up online to check on the rules and how to enter, and make sure to get your entry in by 28 August.
Fun for teens
Future Scientist Career Quiz
Saturday 1 – Monday 31 August
A career in science can take you anywhere – but what type of science aligns with your interests? This University of Adelaide quiz can help you discover the links between your everyday interests and a future career in science – try it out now.
Great Goodness Challenge
Saturday 15 – Sunday 23 August
There’s a lot going on in the world at the moment, but the Great Goodness Challenge is challenging you to find the good things out there! Getting involved is super easy – you just need to take some photos and post them to your social media using the hashtags #GoodnessFestival, #ScienceWeek, #GreatGoodnessChallenge and #9greatthingsin9gooddays.
For more details, information on the PRIZES you could win or some suggestions on things to post, check out the National Science Week website.
Fun for the whole family
Bush Blitz Scavenger Hunt
Saturday 15 August – Sunday 20 September
Looking for more reasons to get outside, at least to your backyard this weekend? Then this is for you! The Bush Blitz Scavenger Hunt is a scavenger hunt with a twist – you’re looking for specific types of animals and plants. You can join in just for fun or as part of a competition to win cool prizes.
Open to all ages, you can join in by yourself, with your friends or family, or your classmates in NSW schools. The competition opens on Saturday at 12:00 pm, so head over to the website to check it out. Who knows, you could even discover a new species.
SCINEMA International Science Film Festival Community Screening
Saturday 1 – Monday 31 August
Interested in science? Like watching movies? Have access to a screen and the internet? Then do we have an event for you! SCINEMA is the largest science film festival in the southern hemisphere and you can watch the bet science cinema from around the world for FREE this month in the comfort of your own home. There are films for everyone in the family to enjoy
Prehistoric Bake Off
Saturday 15 – Thursday 20 August
Have you been honing your baking skills in isolation? Now is the time to put them to the test! The University of Adelaide Palaeontologists and hosting their first ever, VIRTUAL BAKE OFF! Free to enter and open to all ages (with two competition categories), all you need to do is bake a palaeontology themed morsel and take a photo of it! Find out more details at the website.
Sapphire Coast Science Festival Online
Saturday 15 – Sunday 23 August
The Sapphire Coast Science Festival is back for another year, though in a slightly different way! There are heaps of events, both online and in-person throughout the week, so make sure to check out the website for more details on how you can get involved – we’re especially excited for the Science Storytimes and Climate Science NOT in the Pub.
At Home Science Scavenger Hunt
Wednesday 15 July – Monday 31 August
Want to get into science week, but not sure where to start? How about a scavenger hunt that can get the whole family involved and you can complete at home? With fun riddles, science-conversation starters and a certificate of achievement for all participants, check out the website to sign-up.
Sydney Science Trail
Saturday 15 August – Tuesday 15 September
Are you ready for an ADVENTURE? Why not check out the Sydney Science Trail – a free digital quest filled with interactive games, live-streamed talks, explosive science shows and virtual tours from world-class scientists and researchers. There are so many activities covering a range of areas of science – plants and animals, sustainability, astronomy and of course, marine science. Check out the website to find the full expedition program and see how else you can get involved.
“Can you Recycle Right?” Quiz
Saturday 15 – Sun 23 August
Do you know what belongs in the recycling versus what belongs in the rubbish bin? Does anything belong in the rubbish bin really? Try out the quiz to see if you are a true recycling guru and discover how science and recycling are connected.
