national science week 2026
Australia’s biggest science celebration
aUGUST 15 – 23, 2026
Get involved this year
More than 3 million people participated in 2,500+ registered events and activities during National Science Week 2025. It’s one of the world’s oldest and largest community science festivals. What’s National Science Week all about? Read our 2025 case studies, or visit the official website at www.scienceweek.net.au.
Journalists: get the highlights & join our media list
Each year, we read thousands of event descriptions so you don’t have to! We scour event registrations for the best stories, photo ops and talent. Media releases and story roundups are posted below.
Subscribe to our dedicated media bulletin for stories and interview opportunities in 2026. You can also reach out to state coordinators, and learn more about National Science Week on the official website.
Photo library
A Google Drive of photography, available for media use.
National Science Week Stories
A farm under Sydney; orchids ‘liked’ to death; and sea cucumbers save Groote Eylandt – Science Week is coming
The national festival that reaches more than 3 million people through more than 2,500 events is back from 15 to 23 August. There will be stories for every round including food, arts and books, future of farming, sport, disabilities, education, and science. More than 1,300 events and activities have registered already at ScienceWeek.net.au/events. Look for…
Planes, brains, and underground farms: a preview of National Science Week 2026
An Airshow over the beach Striptease geology Brains and brawn as rugby sports psychology meets VR 60 years of medical research, in a caravan Sydney’s underground farm We’ll be offering stories for every round including environment, food and wine, Indigenous, The Arts, health, technology, farming, lifestyle, education, disability, entertainment, and business. These are some of…
Science films; engineering experiences; painting the Universe
28 grants were awarded by the Australian Government through the Inspiring Australia program for events for National Science Week 2026. The following events and activities will be held in multiple locations around Australia. SCINEMA International Science Film Festival Grant recipient: Cris Kennedy SCINEMA International Film Festival 2026 will bring a showcase of science features, shorts,…
Sports psychology, underground farms, astro-poetry: 2026 National Science Week preview
Get ready for the festival that reaches more than 3 million people via 2,500 events. National Science Week returns from 15 to 23 August with stories for every round including entertainment, business, environment, food and wine, Indigenous media, the Arts, health, technology, farming and agriculture, lifestyle, education, and disability media. Talk to us now for…
Geological cabaret; Trekkies in space; balloon veggies; blooming brilliance
Dozens of Science Week stories around Canberra More on these highlights below. National Science Week in the Australian Capital Territory is coordinated by Inspiring the ACT. Visit their website: inspiringtheact.org.au. National Science Week in ACT: highlights Striptease meets ‘dirty’ science – Canberra Canberran researcher Dr Karina Judd presents a smart, sexy, adults-only exploration of geological and earth…
Canberra’s platypus and rakali; balloons get kids eating veggies
Here are the Australian Capital Territory-based events and activities that were awarded grants from the Australian Government for National Science Week 2026 through the Inspiring Australia program. More on each of these below. National Science Week in the Australian Capital Territory is coordinated by Inspiring the ACT. Visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/inspiringtheact/. For general National…
Sydney’s secret underground farm; Hollywood anatomy; turtle tech; dementia breakthroughs.
Dozens of Science Week stories around Sydney More on each of these below. National Science Week in New South Wales is coordinated by Inspiring NSW. Visit their website: inspiringnsw.org.au. For general National Science Week media enquiries, contact scienceweek@scienceinpublic.com.au. National Science Week in Sydney: highlights A food farm under the CBD – Barangaroo Sydney’s CBD has…
Regional NSW: Koala detectives; science at sea; solar racers; wildflower wonders.
Dozens of Science Week stories around regional NSW More on these highlights below. National Science Week in New South Wales is coordinated by Inspiring NSW. Visit their website: inspiringnsw.org.au. For general National Science Week media enquiries, contact scienceweek@scienceinpublic.com.au. National Science Week in Regional NSW: highlights Could you spot a koala? – They need you –…
Secret underground food farm; tech saving animals; Poo Palace digestive jumping castle
Here are the New South Wales-based events and activities that were awarded grants from the Australian Government for National Science Week 2026 through the Inspiring Australia program. More on each of these below. National Science Week in New South Wales is coordinated by Inspiring NSW. Visit their website: inspiringnsw.org.au. For general National Science Week media…
Beer science; wildflower power; and a sea cucumber future for Groote Eylandt
Dozens of Science Week stories around Northern Territory: More on these highlights below, with MORE TO COME. National Science Week in the Northern Territory is coordinated by Inspired NT. Visit their website: inspirednt.net. For general National Science Week media enquiries, contact scienceweek@scienceinpublic.com.au. Why won’t your beer hold its head? – Winnellie Making or breaking the…
Poetry meets astronomy; global warming meets human health
Here are the Northern Territory-based events and activities that were awarded grants from the Australian Government for National Science Week 2026 through the Inspiring Australia program. More on each of these below. National Science Week in the Northern Territory is coordinated by Inspired NT. Visit their website: inspirednt.net. For general National Science Week media enquiries,…
Planetarium pop-rock concert; super-fast planes; Aussie Moon rover; and a VR tour of rugby players’ brains
Dozens of Science Week stories around Queensland: More on these highlights below. National Science Week in Queensland is coordinated by Inspiring Australia Queensland. Visit their website: inspiringqld.com.au. For general National Science Week media enquiries, contact scienceweek@scienceinpublic.com.au. Building Australia’s Moon rover and other Queensland innovation stories – Hamilton Microplastics researcher Dr Cassandra Rauert and the robotics…
Rugby sport psychology meets VR; aerospace innovation
Here are the Queensland-based events and activities that were awarded grants from the Australian Government for National Science Week 2026 through the Inspiring Australia program. More on each of these below. National Science Week in Queensland is coordinated by Inspiring Australia Queensland. Visit their website: inspiringqld.com.au. For general National Science Week media enquiries, contact scienceweek@scienceinpublic.com.au….
Ocean love and fear; smartphone astrophotography; bubble science; and a little fish on the big screen
Dozens of Science Week stories around South Australia: More on these highlights below. National Science Week in South Australia is coordinated by Inspiring South Australia. Visit their website: inspiringsa.org.au. For general National Science Week media enquiries, contact scienceweek@scienceinpublic.com.au. Robot challenges, Aussie wildlife, and Nitro Nat at Science Alive! – Wayville These are just some of…
AI, ethics and creativity; a small cartoon fish gets big screen debut
Here are the South Australia-based events and activities that were awarded grants from the Australian Government for National Science Week 2026 through the Inspiring Australia program. More on each of these below. National Science Week in South Australia is coordinated by Inspiring South Australia. Visit their website: inspiringsa.org.au. For general National Science Week media enquiries,…
Psychedelics; beer science; The Clitoral Chronicles; Aussie flower power
Dozens of Science Week stories aroundTassie: More on these highlights below. National Science Week in Tasmania is coordinated by Inspiring Tasmania. Visit their website: inspiringtas.org.au . For general National Science Week media enquiries, contact scienceweek@scienceinpublic.com.au . Psychedelics reshaping mental health care – Hobart How medical mushrooms, LSD, MDMA and other once-taboo substances are reshaping mental…
Beaker Street Festival; cosmic art/science in unexpected places
Here are the Tasmania-based events and activities that were awarded grants from the Australian Government for National Science Week 2026 through the Inspiring Australia program. More on each of these below. National Science Week in Tasmania is coordinated by Inspiring Tasmania. Visit their website: inspiringtas.org.au. For general National Science Week media enquiries, contact scienceweek@scienceinpublic.com.au ….
Champagne science; the art of adaptation; quantum physics in a graphic novel
Dozens of Science Week stories around Victoria: More on these highlights below. National Science Week in Victoria is coordinated by Inspiring Victoria. Visit their website: www.rsv.org.au/inspiring-victoria. For general National Science Week media enquiries, contact scienceweek@scienceinpublic.com.au. Quantum physics and life collide in The Friendship Paradox – Brunswick East In The Friendship Paradox(Allen & Unwin 2026) scientist-turned-artist…
Flying fox art connecting creativity with environmental action; how technology is changing healthcare
Here are the Victoria-based events and activities that were awarded grants from the Australian Government for National Science Week 2026 through the Inspiring Australia program. More on each of these below. National Science Week in Victoria is coordinated by Inspiring Victoria. Visit their website: www.rsv.org.au/inspiring-victoria. For general National Science Week media enquiries, contact scienceweek@scienceinpublic.com.au. Remnant…
Orchids ‘liked’ to death; garden labs; 60 years of health research in a vintage caravan
Dozens of Science Week stories around Western Australia: More on these highlights below. National Science Week in Western Australia is coordinated by Inspiring Western Australia. Visit their website: inspiringwa.org.au. For general National Science Week media enquiries, contact scienceweek@scienceinpublic.com.au. The fleet of caravans that transformed chronic disease – Busselton In 1966 a small fleet of caravans…
A 60-year population health study in a vintage caravan; science festival in Broome; meet Perth’s astrophysicists, animal experts, and more
Here are the Western Australia-based events and activities that were awarded grants from the Australian Government for National Science Week 2026 through the Inspiring Australia program. More on each of these below. National Science Week in Western Australia is coordinated by Inspiring Western Australia. Visit their website: inspiringwa.org.au. For general National Science Week media enquiries,…
A farm under Sydney; orchids ‘liked’ to death; and sea cucumbers save Groote Eylandt – Science Week is coming
The national festival that reaches more than 3 million people through more than 2,500 events is back from 15 to 23 August. There will be stories for every round including food, arts and books, future of farming, sport, disabilities, education, and science. More than 1,300 events and activities have registered already at ScienceWeek.net.au/events. Look for…
Orchids ‘liked’ to death; garden labs; 60 years of health research in a vintage caravan
Dozens of Science Week stories around Western Australia: More on these highlights below. National Science Week in Western Australia is coordinated by Inspiring Western Australia. Visit their website: inspiringwa.org.au. For general National Science Week media enquiries, contact scienceweek@scienceinpublic.com.au. The fleet of caravans that transformed chronic disease – Busselton In 1966 a small fleet of caravans…
Champagne science; the art of adaptation; quantum physics in a graphic novel
Dozens of Science Week stories around Victoria: More on these highlights below. National Science Week in Victoria is coordinated by Inspiring Victoria. Visit their website: www.rsv.org.au/inspiring-victoria. For general National Science Week media enquiries, contact scienceweek@scienceinpublic.com.au. Quantum physics and life collide in The Friendship Paradox – Brunswick East In The Friendship Paradox(Allen & Unwin 2026) scientist-turned-artist…
Psychedelics; beer science; The Clitoral Chronicles; Aussie flower power
Dozens of Science Week stories aroundTassie: More on these highlights below. National Science Week in Tasmania is coordinated by Inspiring Tasmania. Visit their website: inspiringtas.org.au . For general National Science Week media enquiries, contact scienceweek@scienceinpublic.com.au . Psychedelics reshaping mental health care – Hobart How medical mushrooms, LSD, MDMA and other once-taboo substances are reshaping mental…
Ocean love and fear; smartphone astrophotography; bubble science; and a little fish on the big screen
Dozens of Science Week stories around South Australia: More on these highlights below. National Science Week in South Australia is coordinated by Inspiring South Australia. Visit their website: inspiringsa.org.au. For general National Science Week media enquiries, contact scienceweek@scienceinpublic.com.au. Robot challenges, Aussie wildlife, and Nitro Nat at Science Alive! – Wayville These are just some of…
Planetarium pop-rock concert; super-fast planes; Aussie Moon rover; and a VR tour of rugby players’ brains
Dozens of Science Week stories around Queensland: More on these highlights below. National Science Week in Queensland is coordinated by Inspiring Australia Queensland. Visit their website: inspiringqld.com.au. For general National Science Week media enquiries, contact scienceweek@scienceinpublic.com.au. Building Australia’s Moon rover and other Queensland innovation stories – Hamilton Microplastics researcher Dr Cassandra Rauert and the robotics…
