Are you a researcher who enjoys getting hands-on with science communication? Interested in taking part in National Science Week 2025 but unsure how to dive in?
Get involved in our Meet a Scientist program and join a series of exciting community events happening during National Science Week from 9–17 August 2025.
What’s involved?
- We’ll match you with a local community event that fits your availability.
- You’ll receive access to a free online training session with practical tips for hands-on science communication.
- Event logistics are all taken care of—just bring your enthusiasm and any props or materials you’d like to use.
- Transport assistance may be available for some events if needed.
Why get involved?
We know young people are naturally curious about the world, but not all see science as something for them. While science teachers do a fantastic job sparking curiosity in the classroom, sometimes it takes just one memorable interaction with a real-life scientist to inspire a future in STEM.
Community events offer a unique space for this kind of personal engagement. Our Meet a Scientist program in 2023 and 2024 was a great success, with researchers fielding endless questions from children and families at markets, festivals and local libraries.
Each scientist is stationed at their own table, showcasing props, interactive materials or sensory items to spark curiosity and questions. Children might engage for a moment or stick around for much longer—there are no formal talks or slides.
This year, we’re also running an optional online training session on Tuesday 22 July. It will cover what sorts of props and materials work best, strategies for engaging young minds, and provide the chance to workshop your ideas with experienced facilitators.
Who can take part?
- We welcome researchers from all science, engineering, health and medical fields—particularly PhD candidates and early career researchers.
- The 2025 schools theme for National Science Week is Decoding the Universe – Exploring the unknown with nature’s hidden language. While this theme is not required for community events, we’d love to hear from researchers working in this area.
- Researchers from government, industry, and the not-for-profit sector are also warmly encouraged to apply.
You can do as many events as you like! Let us know all your details via our online form. EOI now open until 15 July!
2025 opportunities
This page will be updated with new opportunities as they are confirmed. If there is nothing here that works for you, please contact inspiring-nsw@uow.edu.au and we’ll see if there are other options in your area.
1. Sydney City Farm – Exploring nature’s hidden language at Sydney Park
When: Saturday 9 August
Event time: 10am to 2pm
Audience: Families and residents interested in food, sustainability, and healthy eating
Commitment and requirements: There will be an informal drop in ‘Meet a scientist’ stall that will run all day. You will engage families and residents with an interactive display.
2024 website: https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/wild-about-food-for-national-science-week
2. Western Sydney Parklands – Science in the Scrub at Lizard Log
When: Sunday 10 August
Advertised event time: 11am to 3pm
Audience: Diverse range with a focus on families (9,000+ in 2024)
Commitment and requirements: Arrive by 10.30am for induction, depart 3pm. Shorter shifts available if needed but most researchers stay for the whole day, and we will provide lunch. You are to engage with families by providing a simple demonstration or interactive display at a table. There will be ‘Meet the Scientist’ stalls set up specifically for this.
2024 website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/greater-sydney-parklands-brings-back-science-in-the-scrub-tickets-954760132257
3. Woollahra Libraries – Speed Meet a Scientist, Double Bay, Sydney
When: Saturday 16 August
Event time: 2pm – 3:45pm
Audience: Mostly primary school aged children their parents/grandparents.
Commitment and requirements: Speakers will need to arrive at 1.30pm for briefing and preparation, and will be expected to stay until 3.45pm. In 6 minute rotations, you will talk to 6 different families – discussing your expertise and encouraging them in their field of interest. We want to engage teens this year, so open to suggestions for demonstrations, props, pictures, presentations. We will group age demographics together on the day in groups.
2024 website: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/national-science-week-speed-meet-a-scientist-all-ages-registration-942931151457
4. Centennial Parklands – Science in the Swamp
When: Sunday 17 August
Advertised event time: 11am to 3pm
Shifts: 11am to 3pm
Commitment and requirements: Arrive by 10.30am for induction, depart 3pm. Shorter shifts are available if needed but most researchers stay for the whole day, and we will provide lunch. You are to engage with families by providing a simple demonstration or interactive display at your own table. There will be ‘Meet the Scientist’ stalls set up specifically for this.
2024 website: https://www.centennialparklands.com.au/whatson/science-in-the-swamp/science-in-the-swamp-map-and-program
5. Science After Dark – Future Science Talks across Sydney
The wonderful Future Science Talks will host a series of events across Sydney during National Science Week this year. They run public events across Australia – including science comedy shows – to connect the public with science professionals. All the 2025 opportunities are listed at this page (summary with dates below) and you can respond to the organisers directly with your interest using their online form.
You can do one, or more, of these evening events in addition to the community events listed above as well. There is no limit to your participation!
Location: These free shows will take place at a bar or pub in the CBD or inner south, inner west, inner north or inner east of Sydney. Science After Dark aims to run a free show in all five regions, and the location of each show will be confirmed shortly.
Audience: Adults interested in learning more about science, medicine and engineering, and the lastest research and innovations.
5.1 Science After Dark: Science Questions Answered
When: Monday 11 August
Event time: 7pm-8:30pm
5.2 Science After Dark: Improvised Science
When: Tuesday 12 August
Event time: 7pm-8:30pm
5.3 Science After Dark: The Science Quiz Show
When: Wednesday 13 August
Event time: 7pm-8:30pm
5.4 Science After Dark: The Great Science Debate
When: Thursday 14 August
Event time: 7pm-8:30pm
5.5 Science After Dark: Taboo Science Talks
When: Friday 15 August
Event time: 7pm-8:30pm
SIGN ME UP!
If any of the above opportunities are for you, fill out the EOI form with your information and availability as soon you can. EOI extended! Now closed on Tuesday 15 July!
If you not available for the listed activities, but are still eager to participate, please let us know more in ‘Q9. Any other information’, and we will be in contact if any other opportunities during National Science Week arise.
Please contact us by email if you have any questions inspiring_nsw@uow.edu.au
Are you a researcher who enjoys getting hands-on with science communication? Interested in taking part in National Science Week 2025 but unsure how to dive in?
Get involved in our Meet a Scientist program and join a series of exciting community events happening during National Science Week from 9–17 August 2025.
What’s involved?
Why get involved?
We know young people are naturally curious about the world, but not all see science as something for them. While science teachers do a fantastic job sparking curiosity in the classroom, sometimes it takes just one memorable interaction with a real-life scientist to inspire a future in STEM.
Community events offer a unique space for this kind of personal engagement. Our Meet a Scientist program in 2023 and 2024 was a great success, with researchers fielding endless questions from children and families at markets, festivals and local libraries.
Each scientist is stationed at their own table, showcasing props, interactive materials or sensory items to spark curiosity and questions. Children might engage for a moment or stick around for much longer—there are no formal talks or slides.
This year, we’re also running an optional online training session on Tuesday 22 July. It will cover what sorts of props and materials work best, strategies for engaging young minds, and provide the chance to workshop your ideas with experienced facilitators.
Who can take part?
You can do as many events as you like! Let us know all your details via our online form. EOI now open until 15 July!
2025 opportunities
This page will be updated with new opportunities as they are confirmed. If there is nothing here that works for you, please contact inspiring-nsw@uow.edu.au and we’ll see if there are other options in your area.
1. Sydney City Farm – Exploring nature’s hidden language at Sydney Park
When: Saturday 9 August
Event time: 10am to 2pm
Audience: Families and residents interested in food, sustainability, and healthy eating
Commitment and requirements: There will be an informal drop in ‘Meet a scientist’ stall that will run all day. You will engage families and residents with an interactive display.
2024 website: https://whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/wild-about-food-for-national-science-week
2. Western Sydney Parklands – Science in the Scrub at Lizard Log
When: Sunday 10 August
Advertised event time: 11am to 3pm
Audience: Diverse range with a focus on families (9,000+ in 2024)
Commitment and requirements: Arrive by 10.30am for induction, depart 3pm. Shorter shifts available if needed but most researchers stay for the whole day, and we will provide lunch. You are to engage with families by providing a simple demonstration or interactive display at a table. There will be ‘Meet the Scientist’ stalls set up specifically for this.
2024 website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/greater-sydney-parklands-brings-back-science-in-the-scrub-tickets-954760132257
3. Woollahra Libraries – Speed Meet a Scientist, Double Bay, Sydney
When: Saturday 16 August
Event time: 2pm – 3:45pm
Audience: Mostly primary school aged children their parents/grandparents.
Commitment and requirements: Speakers will need to arrive at 1.30pm for briefing and preparation, and will be expected to stay until 3.45pm. In 6 minute rotations, you will talk to 6 different families – discussing your expertise and encouraging them in their field of interest. We want to engage teens this year, so open to suggestions for demonstrations, props, pictures, presentations. We will group age demographics together on the day in groups.
2024 website: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/national-science-week-speed-meet-a-scientist-all-ages-registration-942931151457
4. Centennial Parklands – Science in the Swamp
When: Sunday 17 August
Advertised event time: 11am to 3pm
Shifts: 11am to 3pm
Commitment and requirements: Arrive by 10.30am for induction, depart 3pm. Shorter shifts are available if needed but most researchers stay for the whole day, and we will provide lunch. You are to engage with families by providing a simple demonstration or interactive display at your own table. There will be ‘Meet the Scientist’ stalls set up specifically for this.
2024 website: https://www.centennialparklands.com.au/whatson/science-in-the-swamp/science-in-the-swamp-map-and-program
5. Science After Dark – Future Science Talks across Sydney
The wonderful Future Science Talks will host a series of events across Sydney during National Science Week this year. They run public events across Australia – including science comedy shows – to connect the public with science professionals. All the 2025 opportunities are listed at this page (summary with dates below) and you can respond to the organisers directly with your interest using their online form.
You can do one, or more, of these evening events in addition to the community events listed above as well. There is no limit to your participation!
Location: These free shows will take place at a bar or pub in the CBD or inner south, inner west, inner north or inner east of Sydney. Science After Dark aims to run a free show in all five regions, and the location of each show will be confirmed shortly.
Audience: Adults interested in learning more about science, medicine and engineering, and the lastest research and innovations.
5.1 Science After Dark: Science Questions Answered
When: Monday 11 August
Event time: 7pm-8:30pm
5.2 Science After Dark: Improvised Science
When: Tuesday 12 August
Event time: 7pm-8:30pm
5.3 Science After Dark: The Science Quiz Show
When: Wednesday 13 August
Event time: 7pm-8:30pm
5.4 Science After Dark: The Great Science Debate
When: Thursday 14 August
Event time: 7pm-8:30pm
5.5 Science After Dark: Taboo Science Talks
When: Friday 15 August
Event time: 7pm-8:30pm
SIGN ME UP!
If any of the above opportunities are for you, fill out the EOI form with your information and availability as soon you can. EOI extended! Now closed on Tuesday 15 July!
If you not available for the listed activities, but are still eager to participate, please let us know more in ‘Q9. Any other information’, and we will be in contact if any other opportunities during National Science Week arise.
Please contact us by email if you have any questions inspiring_nsw@uow.edu.au
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