We are always delighted to see how libraries and local Council galleries and museums throughout NSW embrace National Science Week as an opportunity to program exciting art + science, sustainability and STEM engagement activities for children and adults. Here is a quick roundup for 2023.
HIGHLIGHTS
City of Canada Bay Council Libraries
Saturday 12 August Rhodes Science Fair Back for its second year, the Rhodes Science Fair is a free community event that inspires a fun love for science. Be amazed by the mind-blowing Liquid Nitrogen Show, join an entertaining Robot Storytime, dive into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and learn more about biodiversity, insects and citizen science, and the night-time local ecosystems behind noises in the night! Location: The Event Space at The Connection, Rhodes, 30 Shoreline Drive Rhodes
Wollondilly Council
Sustainability in the Dilly Wollondilly Library have put together a great program of free community events for National Science Week that celebrate the science of sustainability. There are fun and engaging workshops and activities on worm composting, recycled art classes, Science Week Storytimes sessions, a STEAM PUNK Science Week workshop and 3D printing demonstrations. Location: Wollondilly Library, 42 Menangle St, Picton More information and bookings
Lismore Council
Thursday 17 August Dark Science returns to the Lismore’s art centre, the Quad, as part of National Science Week for a full day exploration of local science practices through workshops, performance, art, and activities. This all-ages event includes a school outreach and engagement program presenting a series of workshops with local science practitioners, looking at the past to inform the future. In the afternoon the Quad will be open to the public presenting performance, art and a market of local science hubs and organisations. Highlights include:
Tuesday 8 August Flight Show at Merrylands Library Learn the science of flight with pressure and air experiments. Learn how planes fly through the air and why planes are designed the way they are. For children aged 5 to 12 years. Location: Merrylands Library, Cnr Miller and Newman Streets, Merrylands More information and bookings
Wednesday 9 August Discover science through a variety of hands-on experiments. Learn about how and why things work in this blockbuster science show. For children aged 5 to 8 years. Location: Auburn Library, 1 Susan Street, Auburn More information and bookings
Fairfield City Council
Tuesday 15 August Why do you look and behave the way you do? All living organisms contain DNA, which is a molecular code within their cells for everything needed for life and reproduction. In this workshop we extract and physically see the DNA of various fruits and explore how genetic traits are inherited. Location: Bonnyrigg Library, 100 Bonnyrigg Avenue, Bonnyrigg More information and bookings
Thursday 17 August You see it everyday: it reflects, refracts, and travels at 300 thousand kilometres per second, but what really is light? Studio 2166 delves deep into the nature of light and shadow to harness its creative potential. Location: Whitlam Library Cabramatta, 165 Railway Parade, Cabramatta More information and bookings
Georges River Council
Saturday 12 August The day will include dazzling displays of polymers in action, radical reptiles, extravagant virtual reality and super solar house craft. Come and experience a range of tabletop discoveries and interactive installations. Location: Hurstville Library, Cnr Queens Road and Dora Street, Hurstville More information and bookings
Hornsby Council
Wednesday 16 August How do you become a penguin warden? Do mangroves and saltmarshes really benefit human society? What is the future of radiation therapy in low-income countries? Why is biodiversity important? You’ll hear from a panel of four working scientists from different fields, who will talk about the science that has inspired them, what the future holds, and the career path choices that got them where they are today. Location: Hornsby Central Library, 28-44 George Street, Hornsby More information and bookings
Inner West Council
Thursday 17 August An interesting conversation between cognitive psychologist Dr Vince Polito and journalist Gemma Conroy as they discuss the emerging trend of microdosing. Explore the potential mental health benefits of taking sub-perceptual doses of psychedelic substance. Location: Leichhardt Library, The Italian Form, 23 Norton Street, Leichhardt More information and bookings
Liverpool City Council
Wednesday 16 August Parents and Young People Vaping Prevention Workshop Delivered and supported by South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD), this crucial workshop is designed to empower you as parents and young people with knowledge and evidence-based health information to prevent vaping from harming your family. Location: Liverpool City Library170 George Street, Liverpool More information and bookings
Thursday 17 August Science Safari at Carnes Hill Library Embark on an epic Science Safari. Join us for an afternoon of adventure filled with mind-blowing shows, make and takes, and fascinating table-top experiments for children and teenagers. More information and bookings
Thursday 17 August CSIRO Parent Information Session: Engaging With STEM What better way to celebrate National Science Week than to join the CSIRO at Carnes Hill Library to find out how you can support your young person’s interest in STEM, now and into the future? More information and bookings
Location: Carnes Hill Library, 600 Kurrajong Road, Carnes Hill
Penrith City Council
Wednesday 16 August Science at the Local Library – Empowering Communities Dr Spencer is an Associate Professor of Ecology at Western Sydney University and will talk about the benefits of citizen science as a pathway to nature exploration and how you too can become an agent of environmental stewardship. Science at the Local Library is a partnership between Penrith Library and Science at the Local, who present free bimonthly talks by scientists in Springwood. Location: Penrith Library, 601 High Street, Penrith and online. More information and bookings
Ryde Council
Wednesday 16 August Dr Adnan Mahmood from Macquarie University will discuss the paradigm of the Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT), i.e. a marriage of the powerful notions of Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things. The session will discuss the AIoT applications in our daily lives and their potential future.
Thursday 17 August Learn how understanding the evolution of the brain and the importance of reconnection can change the whole world. Professor Ronika Power will be in conversation with cognitive neuroscientist Dr Mark Williams.
Friday 18 August Library After Dusk: Skyworks Planetarium Imagine bringing the wonders of the night sky directly into the library. Be awestruck by the sheer beauty of the stunning starfield in this portable planetarium. The experience is enhanced by inspiring and informative commentary about stars, planets, moon, sun, constellations and more. 2 sessions for 6-8 year olds, and for 9 years and over.
Location: Ryde Library, 1 Pope Street, Ryde
Sutherland Shire
Tuesday 15 August Future Science Talks: Comedy Edition A joint program by Future Science Talks and the Sydney Comedy School, the show involves a group of scientists giving short talks, who have been trained by a pair of comedians to jazz up the way they discuss their science. Come for the laughs, and learn something along the way! Location: Sutherland Library, 30/36 Belmont Street Sutherland More information and bookings
REGIONAL NSW
Albury City Council
Saturday 12 August Family Science Day Albury LibraryMusuem is celebrating all things science with a spectacular day of free programs for the whole family. Join them for family-friendly tours of current exhibitions, including Out of This World: Australia in the Space Age, and the Crossing Place Wiradjuri display. Book in for a special tour of the Albury Waste Management Centre. Enjoy some brilliant science play and stick around for the Jollybops Mix it up Science Show. Finally, once the sun sets, rug up and bring the whole family along for a stellar evening of stargazing with the Astronomical Society of Albury Wodonga in QEII Square. Location: LibraryMuseum, Corner of Kiewa and Swift Streets, Albury More information and bookings
Saturday 12 August Fantastic Fossils At Lavington Library earn what fossils are and why they are so important while getting your hands dirty as you create your very own fossils using air dry clay. More information and bookings
Goulburn City Council
Thursday 17 August From marshmallow bazookas to leaf-blower levitated basketball and even making the grown-ups hold explosive liquid nitrogen, Dr Graham will blast, boom and bubble through some classic science phenomena along with brand-new experiments. Location: Goulburn Mulwaree Library, 184 Bourke Street, Goulburn More information and bookings
Lake Mac (Macquarie) Council
Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 August Lake Mac STEAM Week Lake Mac Libraries host a fabulous week-long program of inspiring learning experiences that are centred around Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths for National Science Week. This year there are over 21 events, activities and workshops to choose from including a talk by Superstars of STEMs radio astronomer Dr Laura Driessen and theoretical physicist Karen Liversey on advances in astronomy and nano-technology; a screening of the 2014 science-fiction epic, Interstellar; and a performance of Tubular Bells for Two in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Mike Oldfield’s seminal musical work. More information and bookings
Newcastle City Council
Sunday 13 August LIFT OFF! – Wallsend Library A fun day of science at Wallsend Library starts with some fabulous science shows, followed by a free drop-in pizza lunch from 12pm – 2pm where you can meet real scientists, ask them all your burning science questions, or maybe chat to them about how they became a scientist. For all ages! Location: Wallsend Library, 30 Bunn Street, Wallsend More information and bookings
Sunday 20 August Hunter Science Festival This always popular and jam-packed day of STEM activity at Newcastle Musuem is back. Make and race your own solar powered car with the team from Hunter Valley Electric Vehicles; pretend to be a poo in the giant inflatable Poo Palace from Hunter Medical Research Institute; or get hands-on with the Aldrin Moon to Mars Experience, including a science show and STEM pocket rocket activity. More information and bookings
Port Stephens
Saturday 12 August Join Port Stephens Libraries and the University of Newcastle for our Big Bang Discovery Workshop. Have fun exploring scientific concepts and experimenting. Suitable for children 8 to 12 years.
9.30 to 10.30am Location : Tomaree Library 7 Community Close, Salamander Bay
1pm to 2pm Location: Raymond Terrace Library, 18a Sturgeon Street, Raymond Terrace
Saturday 19 August MicroVision at Wagga Wagga City Library Join lecturer in Environment and Agriculture at Charles Sturt University, Celia Connor, and students from the School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences to discover everyday things that you won’t see every day – without a microscope. Location: Wagga Wagga City Library, 243 Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga More information and bookings
If your library has a 2023 National Science Week event and it is not listed here, let us know! Email inspiringnsw@inspiringnsw
We are always delighted to see how libraries and local Council galleries and museums throughout NSW embrace National Science Week as an opportunity to program exciting art + science, sustainability and STEM engagement activities for children and adults. Here is a quick roundup for 2023.
HIGHLIGHTS
City of Canada Bay Council Libraries
Saturday 12 August
Rhodes Science Fair
Back for its second year, the Rhodes Science Fair is a free community event that inspires a fun love for science. Be amazed by the mind-blowing Liquid Nitrogen Show, join an entertaining Robot Storytime, dive into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and learn more about biodiversity, insects and citizen science, and the night-time local ecosystems behind noises in the night!
Location: The Event Space at The Connection, Rhodes, 30 Shoreline Drive Rhodes
Wollondilly Council
Sustainability in the Dilly
Wollondilly Library have put together a great program of free community events for National Science Week that celebrate the science of sustainability. There are fun and engaging workshops and activities on worm composting, recycled art classes, Science Week Storytimes sessions, a STEAM PUNK Science Week workshop and 3D printing demonstrations.
Location: Wollondilly Library, 42 Menangle St, Picton
More information and bookings
Lismore Council
Thursday 17 August
Dark Science returns to the Lismore’s art centre, the Quad, as part of National Science Week for a full day exploration of local science practices through workshops, performance, art, and activities. This all-ages event includes a school outreach and engagement program presenting a series of workshops with local science practitioners, looking at the past to inform the future. In the afternoon the Quad will be open to the public presenting performance, art and a market of local science hubs and organisations. Highlights include:
Location: The Lismore Quadrangle, 11 Rural Street, Lismore NSW 2480 More information and bookings
SYDNEY REGION
Cumberland Council Library Service
Tuesday 8 August
Flight Show at Merrylands Library
Learn the science of flight with pressure and air experiments. Learn how planes fly through the air and why planes are designed the way they are. For children aged 5 to 12 years.
Location: Merrylands Library, Cnr Miller and Newman Streets, Merrylands
More information and bookings
Wednesday 9 August
Discover science through a variety of hands-on experiments. Learn about how and why things work in this blockbuster science show. For children aged 5 to 8 years.
Location: Auburn Library, 1 Susan Street, Auburn
More information and bookings
Fairfield City Council
Tuesday 15 August
Why do you look and behave the way you do? All living organisms contain DNA, which is a molecular code within their cells for everything needed for life and reproduction. In this workshop we extract and physically see the DNA of various fruits and explore how genetic traits are inherited.
Location: Bonnyrigg Library, 100 Bonnyrigg Avenue, Bonnyrigg
More information and bookings
Thursday 17 August
You see it everyday: it reflects, refracts, and travels at 300 thousand kilometres per second, but what really is light? Studio 2166 delves deep into the nature of light and shadow to harness its creative potential.
Location: Whitlam Library Cabramatta, 165 Railway Parade, Cabramatta
More information and bookings
Georges River Council
Saturday 12 August
The day will include dazzling displays of polymers in action, radical reptiles, extravagant virtual reality and super solar house craft. Come and experience a range of tabletop discoveries and interactive installations.
Location: Hurstville Library, Cnr Queens Road and Dora Street, Hurstville
More information and bookings
Hornsby Council
Wednesday 16 August
How do you become a penguin warden? Do mangroves and saltmarshes really benefit human society? What is the future of radiation therapy in low-income countries? Why is biodiversity important? You’ll hear from a panel of four working scientists from different fields, who will talk about the science that has inspired them, what the future holds, and the career path choices that got them where they are today.
Location: Hornsby Central Library, 28-44 George Street, Hornsby
More information and bookings
Inner West Council
Thursday 17 August
An interesting conversation between cognitive psychologist Dr Vince Polito and journalist Gemma Conroy as they discuss the emerging trend of microdosing. Explore the potential mental health benefits of taking sub-perceptual doses of psychedelic substance.
Location: Leichhardt Library, The Italian Form, 23 Norton Street, Leichhardt
More information and bookings
Liverpool City Council
Wednesday 16 August
Parents and Young People Vaping Prevention Workshop
Delivered and supported by South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD), this crucial workshop is designed to empower you as parents and young people with knowledge and evidence-based health information to prevent vaping from harming your family.
Location: Liverpool City Library170 George Street, Liverpool
More information and bookings
Thursday 17 August
Science Safari at Carnes Hill Library
Embark on an epic Science Safari. Join us for an afternoon of adventure filled with mind-blowing shows, make and takes, and fascinating table-top experiments for children and teenagers.
More information and bookings
Thursday 17 August
CSIRO Parent Information Session: Engaging With STEM
What better way to celebrate National Science Week than to join the CSIRO at Carnes Hill Library to find out how you can support your young person’s interest in STEM, now and into the future?
More information and bookings
Location: Carnes Hill Library, 600 Kurrajong Road, Carnes Hill
Penrith City Council
Wednesday 16 August
Science at the Local Library – Empowering Communities
Dr Spencer is an Associate Professor of Ecology at Western Sydney University and will talk about the benefits of citizen science as a pathway to nature exploration and how you too can become an agent of environmental stewardship. Science at the Local Library is a partnership between Penrith Library and Science at the Local, who present free bimonthly talks by scientists in Springwood.
Location: Penrith Library, 601 High Street, Penrith and online.
More information and bookings
Ryde Council
Wednesday 16 August
Dr Adnan Mahmood from Macquarie University will discuss the paradigm of the Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT), i.e. a marriage of the powerful notions of Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things. The session will discuss the AIoT applications in our daily lives and their potential future.
Thursday 17 August
Learn how understanding the evolution of the brain and the importance of reconnection can change the whole world. Professor Ronika Power will be in conversation with cognitive neuroscientist Dr Mark Williams.
Friday 18 August
Library After Dusk: Skyworks Planetarium
Imagine bringing the wonders of the night sky directly into the library. Be awestruck by the sheer beauty of the stunning starfield in this portable planetarium. The experience is enhanced by inspiring and informative commentary about stars, planets, moon, sun, constellations and more. 2 sessions for 6-8 year olds, and for 9 years and over.
Location: Ryde Library, 1 Pope Street, Ryde
Sutherland Shire
Tuesday 15 August
Future Science Talks: Comedy Edition
A joint program by Future Science Talks and the Sydney Comedy School, the show involves a group of scientists giving short talks, who have been trained by a pair of comedians to jazz up the way they discuss their science. Come for the laughs, and learn something along the way!
Location: Sutherland Library, 30/36 Belmont Street Sutherland
More information and bookings
REGIONAL NSW
Albury City Council
Saturday 12 August
Family Science Day
Albury LibraryMusuem is celebrating all things science with a spectacular day of free programs for the whole family. Join them for family-friendly tours of current exhibitions, including Out of This World: Australia in the Space Age, and the Crossing Place Wiradjuri display. Book in for a special tour of the Albury Waste Management Centre. Enjoy some brilliant science play and stick around for the Jollybops Mix it up Science Show. Finally, once the sun sets, rug up and bring the whole family along for a stellar evening of stargazing with the Astronomical Society of Albury Wodonga in QEII Square.
Location: LibraryMuseum, Corner of Kiewa and Swift Streets, Albury
More information and bookings
Saturday 12 August
Fantastic Fossils
At Lavington Library earn what fossils are and why they are so important while getting your hands dirty as you create your very own fossils using air dry clay.
More information and bookings
Goulburn City Council
Thursday 17 August
From marshmallow bazookas to leaf-blower levitated basketball and even making the grown-ups hold explosive liquid nitrogen, Dr Graham will blast, boom and bubble through some classic science phenomena along with brand-new experiments.
Location: Goulburn Mulwaree Library, 184 Bourke Street, Goulburn
More information and bookings
Lake Mac (Macquarie) Council
Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 August
Lake Mac STEAM Week
Lake Mac Libraries host a fabulous week-long program of inspiring learning experiences that are centred around Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths for National Science Week. This year there are over 21 events, activities and workshops to choose from including a talk by Superstars of STEMs radio astronomer Dr Laura Driessen and theoretical physicist Karen Liversey on advances in astronomy and nano-technology; a screening of the 2014 science-fiction epic, Interstellar; and a performance of Tubular Bells for Two in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Mike Oldfield’s seminal musical work.
More information and bookings
Newcastle City Council
Sunday 13 August
LIFT OFF! – Wallsend Library
A fun day of science at Wallsend Library starts with some fabulous science shows, followed by a free drop-in pizza lunch from 12pm – 2pm where you can meet real scientists, ask them all your burning science questions, or maybe chat to them about how they became a scientist. For all ages!
Location: Wallsend Library, 30 Bunn Street, Wallsend
More information and bookings
Sunday 20 August
Hunter Science Festival
This always popular and jam-packed day of STEM activity at Newcastle Musuem is back. Make and race your own solar powered car with the team from Hunter Valley Electric Vehicles; pretend to be a poo in the giant inflatable Poo Palace from Hunter Medical Research Institute; or get hands-on with the Aldrin Moon to Mars Experience, including a science show and STEM pocket rocket activity.
More information and bookings
Port Stephens
Saturday 12 August
Join Port Stephens Libraries and the University of Newcastle for our Big Bang Discovery Workshop. Have fun exploring scientific concepts and experimenting. Suitable for children 8 to 12 years.
9.30 to 10.30am
Location : Tomaree Library 7 Community Close, Salamander Bay
1pm to 2pm
Location: Raymond Terrace Library, 18a Sturgeon Street, Raymond Terrace
More information and bookings
Wagga Wagga City Council
Saturday 19 August
MicroVision at Wagga Wagga City Library
Join lecturer in Environment and Agriculture at Charles Sturt University, Celia Connor, and students from the School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences to discover everyday things that you won’t see every day – without a microscope.
Location: Wagga Wagga City Library, 243 Baylis Street, Wagga Wagga
More information and bookings
If your library has a 2023 National Science Week event and it is not listed here, let us know! Email inspiringnsw@inspiringnsw
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