Discover STEM at your local library

family with a child talking to a science demonstrator

Libraries across NSW have embraced National Science Week as a time to create important and fun STEM learning opportunities for the whole family, as well as connect the whole community direct to STEM researchers from our universities and research institutions.

Here is a round of up just some of the activities we know about for National Science Week. Check your local library website for more information.

City and surrounds

At Darling Square Library children can get hands-on experience using microscopes to investigate the hidden nature of Sydney City Farm. They can then make a key ring using a laser to cut perspex.

Inner West Libraries will celebrate Science Week by exploring the science of science fiction with astrophysicist Dr Caroline Foster in Asteroids, Alternate Realities and Blackholes at Marrickville Library. She will explore how, using artistic license and our current understanding of physics, movies are able to illustrate complex scientific concepts, help viewers peer into the everyday lives of scientists, and deepen our understanding of the Universe.

Western Sydney

The City of Canada Bay Library is going all out this year with the inaugural Rhodes Science Fair, a fun-filled day of talks, demonstrations, and hands-on activities for all ages.

At Liverpool City Library children and their carers can work together to have a guided VR experience, developing an understanding of this emerging technology and its creative possibilities.

In The Metaverse and Digital Art local digital artist Serwah Atafuan will talk about her thoughts on the metaverse, her path to digital art and how she makes her pieces, surreal cyber dreamscapes and heavenly wastelands.

Katherine Morrison is an aquatic ecologist completing a PhD with Western Sydney University. For her presentation Platypus of Greater Western Sydney at Liverpool City Library she will discuss where platypus are, how to spot them, and what to do when you see one.

Chemist Nisharnthi Duggan will discuss how plant and animal substances can be used to treat and support human health, and specifically her research on the treatment options funnel-web spiders offer stroke patients in Creepy Cures at Penrith Library.

Eastern Sydney

Help raise awareness of marine life while mindfully colouring in beautiful drawings created by artist Merran Hughes at Waverley Library.  At a Colour and Sip workshop hear marine scientist Zuhairah Dindar discuss the wonderful species and habitats of the coastal waters of Sydney, followed by colouring in beautiful drawings.  At a series of additional weekend workshops for families, kids can join a virtual dive or collectively work on large-scale colouring sheets based on our local marine habitats, while learning about our local fish and marine plants, the practices of marine science and the importance of ocean protection. You can drop into the library any time during Science Week and enjoy some colouring-in based on local NSW marine animals, and local habitats including rock pools.

Do you have a budding scientist in your midst? Or burning questions that you have not been able to answer? The Woollahra Library at Double Bay’s Speed Meet a Scientist is an opportunity for families and anyone who wants to talk to researchers from fields including engineering, neuroscience, medicine and biology.

Northern Sydney

The Stanton Library at North Sydney hosts author Ceridwen Dovey talking with accomplished and award-winning science journalist and author Bianca Nogrady about their passion for science and writing. In Conversation: Ceridwen Dovey and Bianca Nogrady On Writing Science Stories

City of Ryde Libraries will host Art walking into science, a multimedia presentation hosted by Steven Durbach from CSIRO and Sarah Jane Moore from UNSW Sydney.

At Chatswood Library a group of scientists, a philosopher and an artist talk to the weighty topic Does Science Work properly?

The popular Mosman Library Stargazing on the Oval is booked out, but you can still book for the Author Morning with Gabriella Kelly-Davies. Local author Gabriella is speaking about her biography of the trailblazing Australian pain medicine pioneer and North Shore resident Dr Michael Cousins AO.

Hornsby Library celebrates Science Week with Spotlight on Science, a panel that explores the diverse career pathways that science offers. You’ll hear from four scientists from different fields and have the opportunity to ask questions.

At Hawkesbury Library Central you can explore details of Robert Fuller’s study of the cultural astronomy and songline connections and rediscover stargazing through the eyes of Australia’s First Peoples in his presentation Navigating the Stars with the First Astronomers.

You can try technologies from the STEM collection at Forestville Library including LEGO Mindstorms, circuits, Merge Cubes, a robotic arm, or circuit-style stations with different tech. The library also hosts a NSW Rocketry Association Talk and Exhibition where you can talk with members from the NSW Rocketry Association, including George from YouTube’s Air Command Rockets, learn about this amazing hobby and how you too can get involved.

Southern Sydney

Sutherland Library hosts a special presentation from physicist and innovator, Dr Ceri Brenner, on the incredible new space research being undertaken in the Sutherland Shire at ANSTO Space! ANSTO’s Research Now and in the Future will be an engaging look at some key research occurring locally.

Regional NSW

Goulburn Library hosts two great events. Beebots Robotics is for ages 5-7 years, offering children a chance to learn real-time programming in a fun atmosphere. Exploring Science with Fizzics Education provides a session focusing on a variety of hands-on science toys setup as exploratory stations on light, sound, movement, energy changes and more.

The Lake Mac Libraries network presents Lake Mac STEAM, a week-long program of inspiring learning experiences centered around science, technology, engineering, art and maths. This year’s highlights include a talk by leading expert in the field of recycling science, Professor Veena Sahajwalla from UNSW Sydney at Warners’ Bay, coding workshops, and A Flying Photon, a science and comedy award-winning show.