This National Science Week, science steps out after dark with a bold lineup of events across NSW designed for curious adults. From deep dives into quantum physics to sultry geological cabaret, these events bring big ideas to bars, theatres, libraries and community spaces—blending learning with laughter, conversation, and performance.
The Marie Curie Lecture Series explores the quantum revolution with leading physicists in Newcastle and Wollongong, while a special screening of Her Name is Nanny Nellie offers a powerful reflection on truth-telling and cultural memory. In Dubbo, Rock Hard! The Geological Cabaret brings geology to life with sass, song, and burlesque flair.
In Sydney, the five-night Science After Dark festival serves up everything from improv comedy and science trivia to taboo-breaking talks on AI, addiction and the future of tech and biology. Meanwhile, Newcastle hosts live events with Dr Karl Kruszelnicki and Adam Spencer, offering science with a dose of wit and wonder.
From climate storytelling with John Vaillant at UNSW to cosmic insights at Science at the Local in Penrith, and pseudoscience-busting at Peer-Reviewed Gossip in Newtown, there’s something for every inquisitive mind.
2025 Marie Curie Lecture Series
The Australian Institute of Physic hosts an annual national public lecture tour, named in honour of pioneering physicist and chemist Marie Curie.
Her Name is Nanny Nellie: public screening and Q and A
The Orange Cowra Cabonne Science Hub is proud to present a special community screening followed by Q and A of the acclaimed documentary Her Name Is Nanny Nellie, a powerful and deeply personal exploration of truth-telling, memory, and cultural reclamation in Australia’s public institutions.
Her Name Is Nanny Nellie is more than a film—it is an act of cultural justice. The documentary confronts colonial representations and invites audiences to consider how history is preserved, presented, and remembered.
Strap in for a seismic night where the humour is volcanic, the moves are tectonic, and the cleavage is both geological and generous.
This ain’t your school science class – it’s cocktail hour geology with sultry songs, smouldering dance, sharp wit and a shimmer of burlesque. For grown-ups who like their science gneiss and naughty. No safety glasses required…but you might need a fan to cool off! Strictly 18+ audiences only.
Science After Dark is a dynamic five night science festival packed with engaging formats and thought provoking topics. From candid interviews and audience Q&As with top scientists, to improvised theatre inspired by cutting edge research, to an interactive science quiz showdown. Witness a spirited debate on whether quantum or biological advances will shape our future, and explore the edgier side of science with taboo-breaking talks on AI, addiction, and more.
6 – 7:30pm on Sunday 10 August at the Bank Hotel, Newtown | Improv X Science
6:30pm – 7:45pm on Friday 15 August at the Harold Forest Lodge | TABOO Science
Science After Dark is aimed at adults to help connect science professionals with the general public. Science has never been this entertaining!
Looking Ahead Lecture with Dr Karl
Join Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki for an unforgettable keynote lecture where he will delve into the weird, wonderful, and mind-blowing world of science.
This free exciting event will also feature short presentations from researchers at the University of Newcastle, followed by an engaging Q&A session. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate all things science with the University of Newcastle.
Bushfires are no longer seasonal, they’re unrelenting. The reshape landscapes and our lives in a rapidly warming world.
In Fire Weather, award-winning Canadian author John Vaillant tells the gripping story of a city consumed by flame – a harbinger of what’s to come in a hotter, drier, more combustible world.
Yarning about the science that has always been here: Teachings of Gurawul (Whale) and Buru (Kangaroo) about connectedness of Country
Enjoy a cultural yarn and planetarium show in the Science Space at the Innovation Campus, Wollongong.
The cultural yarn is led by Dr Crystal Arnold, a Gundungurra woman and academic based in the School of Social Sciences, and Peter Hewitt, a Jerrinja Yuin man and academic in Aboriginal Education.
Explore, through story and science, how Gurawul’s journey speaks to migration, birthing, and oneness, while Buru’s grounded movement reveals knowledge of ecology, balance, and responsibility. This yarn invites us to remember that science is ancient; it has always been here, carried in songlines, in movement, and in Country.
Music compositions and performance made from artificial DNA sequences is a one-of-a-kind evening where art and science converge. This live performance transforms edited DNA sequences into dynamic musical compositions.
Visual projections of the DNA sequences accompany the performance, offering a multi-sensory exploration of genetic code as music. Experience the frontier of generative composition and bio-sonification in an innovative blend of sound, science, and storytelling.
Come together for Sydney’s annual science get-together at the Australian Museum to enjoy an evening of discovery, research highlights and engaging conversations, hosted by award-winning science writer and broadcaster Bernie Hobbs and in collaboration with Botanic Gardens of Sydney, UNE and UTS.
This free after-hours event for the science community is a chance to form connections with like-minded science enthusiasts while enjoying live music and pop-up exhibits.
A community-driven initiative bringing science to public venues, making it accessible and entertaining. Events feature talks by scientists and experts, fostering engagement with scientific topics in a relaxed setting.
Join Barnaby Norris from the University of Sydney as he talks about his latest research in ‘Decoding the Universe: The Tech and Techniques Behind Planet Discovery’.
Join this peer-reviewed and interactive gossip session with science experts answering the questions you desperately want to know about the science and pseudoscience of but can’t be bothered to look up.
Landforms and rock exposures of Port Stephens area (such as Mount Tomaree) are a familiar sight to many. Neil Fraser, a local geologist, will present a talk to explain the volcanic activity and other Earth forces that have created the geology of the area over millions of years. There will also be rock samples to inspect!
The Science of Choice – A guide to better decisions
Ever wondered why you grab that extra snack, procrastinate on important tasks, or stick to a decision even when it’s clearly not working out? Our daily lives are filled with countless choices, big and small, yet we rarely stop to think about the hidden forces that shape them.
Join the UTS Behavioural Lab for an engaging and insightful event that will change the way you see your own mind!
Our oceans are full of it. We eat, drink, and breathe tiny plastic particles every day. Is this the health crisis of our time, or are we overreacting? This session cuts through the noise with real solutions – no empty promises, just the hard truth about what works.
The problem is inside us – literally – but the solutions might be, too.
Celebrate National Science Week with Australia’s funniest geek! Adam Spencer is coming to Newcastle to show you the incredible potential of ChatGPT and other large language models to change the world of education, medicine – basically everything!
From the most basic definitions of what it is, to applications that have just dropped this week, and finishing with 8 examples of how you can start using these technologies today.
Whether you’re into improvised comedy, deep conversations, or simply wondering if AI is going to ruin your dating life, this is science with a twist—perfect for grown-up minds ready to be challenged, inspired, and entertained.
Science After Hours proves science is anything but boring
This National Science Week, science steps out after dark with a bold lineup of events across NSW designed for curious adults. From deep dives into quantum physics to sultry geological cabaret, these events bring big ideas to bars, theatres, libraries and community spaces—blending learning with laughter, conversation, and performance.
The Marie Curie Lecture Series explores the quantum revolution with leading physicists in Newcastle and Wollongong, while a special screening of Her Name is Nanny Nellie offers a powerful reflection on truth-telling and cultural memory. In Dubbo, Rock Hard! The Geological Cabaret brings geology to life with sass, song, and burlesque flair.
In Sydney, the five-night Science After Dark festival serves up everything from improv comedy and science trivia to taboo-breaking talks on AI, addiction and the future of tech and biology. Meanwhile, Newcastle hosts live events with Dr Karl Kruszelnicki and Adam Spencer, offering science with a dose of wit and wonder.
From climate storytelling with John Vaillant at UNSW to cosmic insights at Science at the Local in Penrith, and pseudoscience-busting at Peer-Reviewed Gossip in Newtown, there’s something for every inquisitive mind.
2025 Marie Curie Lecture Series
The Australian Institute of Physic hosts an annual national public lecture tour, named in honour of pioneering physicist and chemist Marie Curie.
2025 Marie Curie Public Lecture | Newcastle | Dr Danielle Holmes
Her Name is Nanny Nellie: public screening and Q and A
The Orange Cowra Cabonne Science Hub is proud to present a special community screening followed by Q and A of the acclaimed documentary Her Name Is Nanny Nellie, a powerful and deeply personal exploration of truth-telling, memory, and cultural reclamation in Australia’s public institutions.
Her Name Is Nanny Nellie is more than a film—it is an act of cultural justice. The documentary confronts colonial representations and invites audiences to consider how history is preserved, presented, and remembered.
5:45pm – 8:00pm on Friday 8 August at Club Corwa
Rock Hard! The Geological Cabaret
Strap in for a seismic night where the humour is volcanic, the moves are tectonic, and the cleavage is both geological and generous.
This ain’t your school science class – it’s cocktail hour geology with sultry songs, smouldering dance, sharp wit and a shimmer of burlesque. For grown-ups who like their science gneiss and naughty. No safety glasses required…but you might need a fan to cool off! Strictly 18+ audiences only.
6:00pm – 7:45pm on Saturday 9 August at the Establishment, Dubbo
Science After Dark
Science After Dark is a dynamic five night science festival packed with engaging formats and thought provoking topics. From candid interviews and audience Q&As with top scientists, to improvised theatre inspired by cutting edge research, to an interactive science quiz showdown. Witness a spirited debate on whether quantum or biological advances will shape our future, and explore the edgier side of science with taboo-breaking talks on AI, addiction, and more.
Science After Dark is aimed at adults to help connect science professionals with the general public. Science has never been this entertaining!
Looking Ahead Lecture with Dr Karl
Join Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki for an unforgettable keynote lecture where he will delve into the weird, wonderful, and mind-blowing world of science.
This free exciting event will also feature short presentations from researchers at the University of Newcastle, followed by an engaging Q&A session. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate all things science with the University of Newcastle.
3 – 6pm on Sunday 10 August at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music
John Vaillant: Fire Weather
Bushfires are no longer seasonal, they’re unrelenting. The reshape landscapes and our lives in a rapidly warming world.
In Fire Weather, award-winning Canadian author John Vaillant tells the gripping story of a city consumed by flame – a harbinger of what’s to come in a hotter, drier, more combustible world.
6:30 – 7:30pm Tuesday 12 August at the Science Theatre UNSW, Kensington
Yarning about the science that has always been here: Teachings of Gurawul (Whale) and Buru (Kangaroo) about connectedness of Country
Enjoy a cultural yarn and planetarium show in the Science Space at the Innovation Campus, Wollongong.
The cultural yarn is led by Dr Crystal Arnold, a Gundungurra woman and academic based in the School of Social Sciences, and Peter Hewitt, a Jerrinja Yuin man and academic in Aboriginal Education.
Explore, through story and science, how Gurawul’s journey speaks to migration, birthing, and oneness, while Buru’s grounded movement reveals knowledge of ecology, balance, and responsibility. This yarn invites us to remember that science is ancient; it has always been here, carried in songlines, in movement, and in Country.
6:00pm – 9:00pm on Tuesday 12 August at Science Space Wollongong
Synthetic Music
Music compositions and performance made from artificial DNA sequences is a one-of-a-kind evening where art and science converge. This live performance transforms edited DNA sequences into dynamic musical compositions.
Visual projections of the DNA sequences accompany the performance, offering a multi-sensory exploration of genetic code as music. Experience the frontier of generative composition and bio-sonification in an innovative blend of sound, science, and storytelling.
7 – 8.30pm on Tuesday 12 August at Sydney Opera House
The Science Social
Come together for Sydney’s annual science get-together at the Australian Museum to enjoy an evening of discovery, research highlights and engaging conversations, hosted by award-winning science writer and broadcaster Bernie Hobbs and in collaboration with Botanic Gardens of Sydney, UNE and UTS.
This free after-hours event for the science community is a chance to form connections with like-minded science enthusiasts while enjoying live music and pop-up exhibits.
5:30pm-8:30pm on Wednesday 13 August at the Australian Museum
Science at the Local
A community-driven initiative bringing science to public venues, making it accessible and entertaining. Events feature talks by scientists and experts, fostering engagement with scientific topics in a relaxed setting.
Join Barnaby Norris from the University of Sydney as he talks about his latest research in ‘Decoding the Universe: The Tech and Techniques Behind Planet Discovery’.
6:30pm-7:30pm on Wednesday 13 August at Penrith Library
Peer-Reviewed Gossip – Trend or Truth?
Join this peer-reviewed and interactive gossip session with science experts answering the questions you desperately want to know about the science and pseudoscience of but can’t be bothered to look up.
7 – 8.30pm on Wednesday 13 August at the Vanguard, Newtown
Port Stephens – A Land Formed By Fire and Ice
Landforms and rock exposures of Port Stephens area (such as Mount Tomaree) are a familiar sight to many. Neil Fraser, a local geologist, will present a talk to explain the volcanic activity and other Earth forces that have created the geology of the area over millions of years. There will also be rock samples to inspect!
Neil is a resident of Port Stephens and investigates local geology and ornithology, including on Broughton Island, in retirement.
5:30 – 6:30pm on Thursday 14 August at the Newcastle Museum
The Science of Choice – A guide to better decisions
Ever wondered why you grab that extra snack, procrastinate on important tasks, or stick to a decision even when it’s clearly not working out? Our daily lives are filled with countless choices, big and small, yet we rarely stop to think about the hidden forces that shape them.
Join the UTS Behavioural Lab for an engaging and insightful event that will change the way you see your own mind!
5:00 – 6:30pm on Thursday 14 August at the UTS Business School
Big Blue Ideas: Plastic – the final straw?
Our oceans are full of it. We eat, drink, and breathe tiny plastic particles every day. Is this the health crisis of our time, or are we overreacting? This session cuts through the noise with real solutions – no empty promises, just the hard truth about what works.
The problem is inside us – literally – but the solutions might be, too.
6.30 – 8.30pm on Thursday 14 August at the Australian National Maritime Museum
Adam Spencer Live
Celebrate National Science Week with Australia’s funniest geek! Adam Spencer is coming to Newcastle to show you the incredible potential of ChatGPT and other large language models to change the world of education, medicine – basically everything!
From the most basic definitions of what it is, to applications that have just dropped this week, and finishing with 8 examples of how you can start using these technologies today.
6:30 – 7:30pm on Friday 15 August at the Newcastle Civic Theatre
Whether you’re into improvised comedy, deep conversations, or simply wondering if AI is going to ruin your dating life, this is science with a twist—perfect for grown-up minds ready to be challenged, inspired, and entertained.
Science After Hours proves science is anything but boring
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