National Science week is a celebration of science for our schools as well as our communities. There are many educational activities for school groups that overlap with the community programs. You can also enjoy the online programs and virtual excursions without leaving the classroom!
School theme for 2024
The school theme for National Science Week in 2024 is Species Survival – More than just sustainability. The theme aims to highlight the importance of science and innovation in ensuring the survival and thriving of different species in an ever-changing world.
Students will have an amazing variety of topics to investigate, and be able to dive into issues of particular interest to them: disease-causing organisms, life-saving chemicals, clean water, photosynthesis, genetic screening, physics of building structures, artificial intelligence, and microplastics.
We have put together some ideas for your classroom, library or across the whole school.
Science Fair
Invite local scientists or engineers to speak
Have science displays from the students
Highlight specific science books
Have hands on activities
DIY Science
These DIY Science projects are great options to engage people of all ages in STEM. Try these as demonstrations or let participants have a try. The experiments demonstrate that science is fun and applicable to many areas of everyday life. https://www.scienceweek.net.au/diy-science/
Science Challenges
Bridge Building Competition
The challenge is to build a bridge to span 40cm to carry a matchbox car using straws or uncooked spaghetti and tape.
Build a Catapult
The challenge is to build a catapult that can send a ping pong ball or pom-pom the furthest using rubber bands and paddle pop sticks.
Quiz and Trivia
Run your own Trivia or join one of the FREE online trivia sessions below
There are 4pm Live online science sessions for SciFest 2024 between Monday 12 and Friday 16 August. You can register for these sessions and watch and interact with the live program from your school or OOSH.
This live and free event is the chance for students to ask Dr Karl the questions they have always wondered about. Dr Karl encourages curiosity and all questions from attendees are welcome. Dr Karl will try to answer as many as time allows during the webinar.
Museum and the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. It celebrates National Science Week with a jam-packed program of excursions for primary and secondary students, featuring talks by scientists, science shows, interactive workshops and the ever-popular science Expo. It includes a day dedicated to diverse learners.
SciFest 2024 is the biggest virtual excursions festival in Australia promoting science and technology. SciFest 2024 is a celebration of science through a series of free online events for National Science week. This year we have 15 events from some of Australia’s best education providers.
SciFest topics, dates and times will vary throughout the festival to provide variety and flexibility. There is something for everyone.
What is in blood? What do all the parts do? And what has this all got to do with slime? Dr Rob and the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood team up to investigate the wonderful world of blood. All whilst adding a little extra, the science of slimes, along the way. Making a slime-based version of fake blood (with all the components) is not just scientific and educationally insightful, it’s also a bloody good time!
It is designed to capture the attention of the whole class all while making batches of slime-based blood. There will be easy to follow videos explaining what to do, the science behind it all, links to the real world and some teacher tips.
There will be a broad range of topics covered, including:
what’s in our blood
what those blood cells all do and how it is vital for us
Join us for a fascinating journey into the depths of the World Heritage listed Naracoorte Caves!
Our live stream series, ‘World Heritage – Beyond the Boundaries’ explores the natural wonders and rich history of this unique site. Join our expert presenters, including researchers and site staff, to learn more about the Naracoorte Caves’ ancient geology, palaeontological discoveries and interesting history, amongst other topics.
Sunday 11 – Wednesday 14 August 2024 Online (ACST)
National Science week is a celebration of science for our schools as well as our communities. There are many educational activities for school groups that overlap with the community programs. You can also enjoy the online programs and virtual excursions without leaving the classroom!
School theme for 2024
The school theme for National Science Week in 2024 is Species Survival – More than just sustainability. The theme aims to highlight the importance of science and innovation in ensuring the survival and thriving of different species in an ever-changing world.
Students will have an amazing variety of topics to investigate, and be able to dive into issues of particular interest to them: disease-causing organisms, life-saving chemicals, clean water, photosynthesis, genetic screening, physics of building structures, artificial intelligence, and microplastics.
Download the free Species Survival teacher resource book
Check out these ideas!
We have put together some ideas for your classroom, library or across the whole school.
Science Fair
DIY Science
These DIY Science projects are great options to engage people of all ages in STEM. Try these as demonstrations or let participants have a try. The experiments demonstrate that science is fun and applicable to many areas of everyday life. https://www.scienceweek.net.au/diy-science/
Science Challenges
Quiz and Trivia
Run your own Trivia or join one of the FREE online trivia sessions below
After School Activities
Highlights
These are just some of the National Science Week activities available for NSW schools and home schooled children. Browse the National Science website for more.
Q and A with Dr Karl
This live and free event is the chance for students to ask Dr Karl the questions they have always wondered about. Dr Karl encourages curiosity and all questions from attendees are welcome. Dr Karl will try to answer as many as time allows during the webinar.
Tuesday 13 August 2024 Online at 2pm AEST
Sydney Science Trail 2024
Museum and the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. It celebrates National Science Week with a jam-packed program of excursions for primary and secondary students, featuring talks by scientists, science shows, interactive workshops and the ever-popular science Expo. It includes a day dedicated to diverse learners.
Limited spaces available
Scifest 2024
SciFest 2024 is the biggest virtual excursions festival in Australia promoting science and technology. SciFest 2024 is a celebration of science through a series of free online events for National Science week. This year we have 15 events from some of Australia’s best education providers.
SciFest topics, dates and times will vary throughout the festival to provide variety and flexibility. There is something for everyone.
12 – 16 August 2024 Online at 1pm, 2pm & 4pm AEST
The Big Bloody Slime Experiment
What is in blood? What do all the parts do? And what has this all got to do with slime? Dr Rob and the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood team up to investigate the wonderful world of blood. All whilst adding a little extra, the science of slimes, along the way. Making a slime-based version of fake blood (with all the components) is not just scientific and educationally insightful, it’s also a bloody good time!
It is designed to capture the attention of the whole class all while making batches of slime-based blood. There will be easy to follow videos explaining what to do, the science behind it all, links to the real world and some teacher tips.
There will be a broad range of topics covered, including:
10 – 17 August 2024 Online anytime
World Heritage – Beyond the Boundaries
Join us for a fascinating journey into the depths of the World Heritage listed Naracoorte Caves!
Our live stream series, ‘World Heritage – Beyond the Boundaries’ explores the natural wonders and rich history of this unique site. Join our expert presenters, including researchers and site staff, to learn more about the Naracoorte Caves’ ancient geology, palaeontological discoveries and interesting history, amongst other topics.
Sunday 11 – Wednesday 14 August 2024 Online (ACST)
Image: Holmwood Public School Science Show
Share this: