Science from the Shelves: National Science Week at your local library

Makers space at Darling Square

Step into a world where curiosity meets community at your local library! During National Science Week 2025, libraries across New South Wales are transforming into hubs of discovery, offering a diverse program of science-themed events for all ages. From hands-on experiments and interactive talks to pop-up maker spaces and STEM storytime, these free events bring science to life in fun, accessible and unexpected ways.

Rhodes Science Fair 2025

The Rhodes Science Fair is a free community event for families with primary-aged children. Embrace the 2025 National Science Week theme “Decoding the Universe” with an interactive celebration of science, designed to engage children and adults to discover together through play, exploration, and participation in fascinating real-world experiments.

Rhodes Science Fair- Fizzics Education

Families can explore patterns in nature, uncover hidden systems in technology, and learn how traditional First Nations knowledge and storytelling reveal deeper understandings of our world.

There are four engaging Auslan-interpreted stage presentations and over a dozen interactive table-top activities, the Rhodes Science Fair offers something to inspire every inquisitive mind and spark scientific curiosity of all ages.

10am – 2 pm on Saturday 9 August at The Connection, Rhodes


Play and Explore

Get ready to ignite your curiosity and explore the wonders of the universe as Georges River Libraries presents an out of this world lineup of activities for National Science Week. This year’s theme, Decoding the Universe, promises to captivate budding scientists and curious minds of all ages.

Play and Explore is the highlight of the week, where Hurstville Library will transform into a hub of discovery, with hands-on science experiments, interactive shows, creative STEM-based craft sessions, and scientific storytelling.

Whether you’re navigating the stars or uncovering the secrets of life on earth, there’s something for everyone.

10:00am – 2:00pm on Saturday 9 August at Hurstville Library


Lake Mac FULL STEAM

Join a day of science, creativity, and discovery for all ages. Scheduled sessions include Mad Science Inventions with Pretty Amazing Jono, an Aboriginal Yarn on Australia’s Agricultural Identity, and a fascinating talk on How Peacocks Get Their Rainbow Feathers.

All day, explore hands-on activities including digital fabrication demos at Lake Mac Libraries’ Fab Lab, the Curious Minds student exhibition imagining Lake Mac in 2045, Flute: A Dolphin’s Wild Journey Home by local artist Jenni Goodman, LEGO and craft activities, and solar telescope viewing with University of Newcastle physicists.

9am – 1pm on Saturday 9 August at the Windale Hub, bilyabayi


2025 Science Fair

Join in the inaugural Science Fair with these exciting activities:

  • Tycho Goes to Mars
  • The Great Solar System Adventure
  • The Stories in the Stars – The night sky of the Boorong people
  • Rain Maker Craft
  • Rocketry Display
  • Questacon Mars Exhibition
  • STEM Professionals
  • Penguin Talk
  • STEM Discussion Panel

10am – 1pm on Saturday 9 August at Forestville Library


Science Bingo Trivia

Join Randwick City Library for a fun-filled Children’s Science Bingo Trivia as part of Science Week. Test your science knowledge and discover amazing facts in this interactive game for curious young minds. There will be a prize for the winning team!

4 – 5pm on Monday 11 August at Margaret Martin Library, Randwick


Digging Up Ryde       

This Science Week, City of Ryde libraries is “Digging Up Ryde”! Our community will have a roaring good time coming face to face with reptiles and dinosaurs in our reptile show, virtual dino safaris and animatronic dino party. We’ll also be digging up fossils and learning what it’s like to be a palaeontologist from Macquarie University researcher Sally Hurst.

Saturday 9 – Saturday 16 August at Ryde Library


Hawkesbury Library Service

Decoding the Universe Display
9 – 17 August, during opening hours

Drop into Hawkesbury Central Library, Windsor and Richmond Branch Library and unlock the secrets of the universe! FREE – Drop In – All Welcome

Hawkesbury Regional Museum

Digging up the Past 9 – 17 August, during opening hours
Drop into Hawkesbury Regional Musem No bookings required

Hawkesbury Regional Gallery

  • Sketching Science: The Art of Plants Sunday 10 August, 11am – 1pm
    $40 for parent + child ticket
  • Shape Shifting: Art and the Mathematics of Tessellation
    Syllabus linked workshop for primary and home school groups
  • The Shape of Infinity: Fractals and Art
    Syllabus linked workshop for primary and home school groups

Science Fun Day at Bega Library

Discover how to extract the DNA from strawberries, have a go at collaborative gaming and digital drawing, find out about nesting boxes from Bega Valley Shire Council’s environment team, chat to members of the Atlas of Life in the Coastal Wilderness group, delve into robotics with Ozobots or take a robotic lunar rover on a moon mission. Plus, talks from renowned botanist, David Jones on native orchids and from Australian National University medical students.

With interactive activity stations and talks for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, delve into a range of scientific pursuits – from medicine to environment, from technology and robotics to biology and botany. 

10am – 1pm on Saturday 16 August at Bega Library


Science Week Discovery in Corowa

Visit the Corowa Library during National Science Week to discover their exciting program of interactive activities for kids.

  • Follow the footprints and search for prehistoric and modern animals
  • Add your handprint to the Tree of Life
  • Enjoy a special dinosaur-themed story time
  • Discover nature’s clues at Scats, Tracks & Habitats

10am – 5pm on 9 – 16 August at Cowora Library


Far out Astronomy

Things in space are really big, but how big is BIG? We’ll find out the difference between mass and weight and talk about what the biggest thing in the Universe is. We’ll also explore just how big our Milky Way galaxy is and talk about different types of astronomy. There are so many things in space that we can’t see with our eyes!

4 – 5pm on Tuesday 12 August at Lionel Bowen Library, Maroubra


Five Senses Adventure

Celebrate National Science Week with a fun, hands-on exploration of the five senses! Inspired by this year’s theme, “Decoding the Universe-Exploring the unknow with nature’s hidden language”, this interactive event invites children and families to discover the science behind sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste through engaging activities at five sensory stations.

 4 – 5pm on Thursday 14 at Margaret Martin Library, Randwick


Saving the Planet with Lee Constable

Learn how you can make a difference and save our wonderful planet this Science Week with science and sustainability presenter, Lee Constable!

This interactive session will teach you all you need to know about saving the whole planet with her How to Save the Whole Planet book series.

Lee will also share her own science journey and what are the big issues affecting our world.

4 – 5pm on Thursday 14 August at Stanton Library


Decodong the Universe with Spaceman Dave

Join Spaceman Dave and Earthman James for a special National Science Week event! Come along and dive into new hands-on STEM experiments perfect for budding scientists. Explore amazing scientific discoveries and make new friends along the way.

4 – 6pm on Friday 15 August at Lionel Bowen Library, Maroubra


Whether you’re in a bustling city or a quiet country town, your local library is the perfect place to explore, learn, and be inspired.

Get inspired this National Science Week and find a comprehensive list of events happening across NSW and Australia visit the official National Science Week website: scienceweek.net.au


Feature Image: Darling Library City of Sydney