Get ready to ignite your family’s curiosity! The opening weekend of National Science Week 2026 is packed with free, hands-on, and mind-expanding events across New South Wales. Whether your kids want to explore virtual space, step aboard a real marine rescue boat, track wildlife in parklands, or uncover glowing bioluminescence, there is something for every young scientist.
While these events are free to attend, spots can fill up quickly—so be sure to register early! Here is your complete guide to the events happening on Saturday August 15 and Sunday August 16.
Saturday, 15 August 2026
Sydney Science Trail: Family Community Day
Where: Australian Museum, Sydney
What to expect: Kick off National Science Week at the Australian Museum’s interactive STEM bonanza. Meet real scientists, explore hands-on activity stalls, and get up close with cutting-edge technology at the Sydney Science Trail Expo.
Where: Hurstville Library (Georges River Libraries)
What to expect: Dive into plant and earth sciences with Storytime Science, bushfood cultivation workshops, succulent planting, virtual garden painting, 3D-printed pot design, and a seed scavenger hunt through the library.
What to expect: Step aboard real marine rescue vessels and meet volunteer crew members. Kids will discover how physics, technology, and navigation science are used every day to keep people safe on the water.
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (Exhibits: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm | Speaker Talks: 12:30 pm – 3:45 pm)
Where: Malachi Gilmore Hall, Oberon
What to expect: Hosted by the Oberon Citizen Science Network, this regional event combines interactive technology and science exhibits in an art deco hall with insightful talks from local and guest scientists.
What to expect: Presented by the Nic-Nac Theatre Company, this interactive theatrical experience introduces children to nature’s natural glowing phenomenon—bioluminescence. Audiences build and direct their own glowing setting through collaborative play.
What to expect: Centennial Park transforms into an open-air science lab with over 50 activity stalls, workshops, and interactive zones. Kids can perform chemistry experiments, look through high-powered microscopes, participate in citizen science wildlife tracking, and encounter roaming life-sized dinosaurs.
Get ready to ignite your family’s curiosity! The opening weekend of National Science Week 2026 is packed with free, hands-on, and mind-expanding events across New South Wales. Whether your kids want to explore virtual space, step aboard a real marine rescue boat, track wildlife in parklands, or uncover glowing bioluminescence, there is something for every young scientist.
While these events are free to attend, spots can fill up quickly—so be sure to register early! Here is your complete guide to the events happening on Saturday August 15 and Sunday August 16.
Saturday, 15 August 2026
Sydney Science Trail: Family Community Day
Play and Explore at Hurstville Library
Science Behind Saving Lives at Sea
Science in Oberon: More Than You Imagine!
LUMINESCENCE – Discovery of a Glowing World
Sunday, 16 August 2026
Science in the Swamp
Planning Your Weekend
Many venues require advance booking due to capacity limits. Check venue websites to secure your tickets before they run out.
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