This year’s National Science Week runs from 12 to 20 August, with thousands of events.

National Science Week began in 1997 and has become one of Australia’s largest festivals. Last year about 1.9 million people participated in more than 1,650 events and activities.

Here are just a few events that will be on across the nation during National Science Week 2023.

National Science Week 2023

Sydney Science Festival is back

  • On course to become one of the first Australian females in orbit: meet engineer Dr Meganne Christian, a European Space Agency reserve astronaut.
  • Meet the first Pacific Islander to visit the deepest point of the Mariana Trench – visiting acclaimed ocean scientist Dr Nicole Yamase on ocean conservation.
  • Atmospheric Memory by Mexican artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer – interact with artworks in an immersive exhibition filled with light, sound and projections that make the atmosphere tangible.
  • Country and Sky: Australian space archaeologist Dr Alice Gorman (‘Dr Space Junk’) and Gamilaraay astrophysicist Karlie Noon on the connection between astronomy and cultural heritage, and the future of Australians in space.
  • What we must do to save the Great Barrier Reef: Ove Hoegh-Guldberg in conversation with Nate Byrne.
  • Cell therapy: engineering immune cells to treat cancer.

Experimenting with beer – Hobart & online

Three Australian breweries will craft both a control and an experimental beer. These beers will be exactly the same except for one experimental difference, which will highlight the incredible sensory shifts that science can have on beer.

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 or join watch parties across Australia as they delve into the science of brewing. Science and beer nerds from across Australia can also pre-order the beers to enjoy at home while watching the event live-stream.

www.scienceweek.net.au/event/exbeerimental-science-2023/hobart

The art of dark matter – Carlton, VIC

Dark matter consists of a mysterious substance that does not present an interaction with electromagnetic forces, which means it does not absorb, reflect it, or emit light.

The DARK MATTERS exhibition explores the mysterious substance that makes up 85 per cent of the matter in the universe. It’s a collaboration between Science Gallery Melbourne, Arts at CERN and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Dark Matter Particle Physics.

Through local and international experimental projects – some developed in conversation with scientists and researchers – explore life and all the dark matter that flows through it, under it and collides with it.

Wednesday 5 August – Thursday 30 November: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/dark-matters-2/carlton

Queensland Children’s Hospital STEM Fair: bringing science to sick kids – South Brisbane, QLD

The Queensland Children’s Hospital STEM Fair brings National Science Week to patients, students, their siblings and parents. Featuring:

Thursday 17 August: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/queensland-childrens-hospital-stem-fair/south-brisbane/

First Nations Science Festival – Adelaide

Explore Indigenous science through a series of events held in the heart of Adelaide.

Indigital AR Workshop: Hear a yarn on Country from a Knowledge Holder about the cultural ways of the Kaurna People. Work with Indigenous TechEd company Indigital to use Minecraft, Microsoft Paint 3D and Indigital’s voice recording software to turn the yarn into an augmented reality experience. Saturday 12 August.

Botanic Gardens Native Plant Trail: Tjimari Sanderson-Milera, founder of Kumarninthi Cultural Education, takes people into the Adelaide Botanic Gardens to learn how native plants are used in Aboriginal culture. Sunday 13 August.

Night Lab: In Our Element: Explore the four natural elements – Earth, Air, Fire and Water – in a night at the museum delving into the science and cultural significance these have for Aboriginal and other First Nations groups. Friday 18 August.

Native Plants on Earth and Beyond: Find out what the Australia’s First Scientists and Astronomers can teach us about growing plants on Earth and in space, at the Australian Space Discovery Centre. Saturday 19 August.

Ngarrindjeri Weaving Workshop: Learn about traditional textiles and technology through weaving with Aunty Ellen Trevorrow with support from Dr Janina Haines. Sunday 20 August

Finding aliens, love, energy, innovation, and the bottom of the ocean at The Anti-conference – Perth, WA

  • Exploring ocean depths with Paige Maroni, the deepest diving Australian woman.
  • Is human hair the new fingerprint? Meet the people developing a new technique for human identification by analysing proteins in hair.
  • Can the power of estimation in physics help finding alien life forms in the galaxy or romantic partners in a big city?
  • Debating the best renewable energy sources.
  • How a robot helped construct a part of Murdoch University’s newest building, Boola Katitjin.
  • Marine tech exploring the private lives of mantra rays.

These are just some of the attractions planned for ‘The Anti-conference: Innovation, Inspiration, Intelligence’, along with workshops, quizzes, debates, food trucks and drinks. On at Perth Mess Hall and WA Museum Boola Bardip. Not your typical conference.

Open to all.Saturday 12 August: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/the-anti-conference-innovation-inspiration-intelligence/perth

Visit ScienceWeek.net.au/events to find stories in your area using the events listings.