Things to do

Unleash your inner scientist at National Science Week

From sampling bush foods to learning about the greatest scientific innovations over the years, there’s something for everyone.

National Science Week is a yearly celebration of science and technology. From 10 to 18 August, you can get involved in online and in-person events, workshops, virtual tours and more.

Here are some events taking place that all the family can enjoy.

Learn about fresh food, get involved in workshops and take home a pot plant at Sydney Farm, an urban farm in St Peters.
Learn about fresh food, get involved in workshops and take home a pot plant at Sydney Farm, an urban farm in St Peters.

Wild About Food at Sydney City Farm

Explore fresh food with all your senses thanks to free activities for all ages at Sydney City Farm. Tours will showcase delicious foods from many cultures we can grow locally. Pot up a plant to take home, learn about Australian native foods, create vegetable art, discover friendly creepy crawlies and ask a scientist about the latest food fads.

Free but bookings essential
Saturday 10 August from 10am to 3pm
Sydney City Farm, St Peters

Curious about technology? Dive into interactive workshops, demos and hands on making at the Maker Lab at Darling Square Library
Curious about technology? Dive into interactive workshops, demos and hands on making at the Maker Lab at Darling Square Library

Maker Lab 16+ years at Darling Square Library

Explore innovation and creativity at Maker Lab. This fun 2-hour program is designed for adults curious about technology, creative learning, and hands-on making. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned tinkerer, there's something for everyone. The program includes interactive workshops, tech demos and hands-on badgemaking. Check out our resources, tools and specialist equipment, and chat with our makerspace experts.

$10, bookings essential
Tuesday 13 August from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Darling Square Library, Darling Square

What can we learn about sustainable living from 60 000+ years of Indigenous culture? Come along to Redfern Community Centre to find out more.
What can we learn about sustainable living from 60 000+ years of Indigenous culture? Come along to Redfern Community Centre to find out more.

Indigenous Science Experience

Come along to this free, community open event celebrating Indigenous and Western science and technology. Get hands-on with interactive science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) activities for all ages. Yarn with Aboriginal and Tores Strait Elders about bush foods and medicines, learn about customarily used seaweeds for environmental sustainability and healthcare, learn about Aboriginal astronomy, and enjoy cultural performances connecting to the natural world. Also on the list are movement science, Aboriginal archaeology, Torres Strait Islander virtual reality, the microbial world and insects, physics and chemistry.

Saturday 17 August from 10am to 3pm
Redfern Community Centre, Redfern

Join interactive science maker activities at Darling Square Library.
Join interactive science maker activities at Darling Square Library.

Family Day at Darling Square Library

Explore this year’s theme: Species Survival. There’ll be a line-up of creative science programs including makerspace workshops, informative talks, storytelling and performance, demonstrations and interactive sessions. All programs are free – perfect for the whole family.

Saturday 17 August from 10am to 2:30pm

Join in a guided knitting activity while learning about neuroscience, no experience needed.
Join in a guided knitting activity while learning about neuroscience, no experience needed.

Knitting with neuroscience: Meet the researchers

Get hooked on brain science and knitting. Meet and hear from 4 neuroscientists while raising your knitting needles to create something unique with Neural Knitworks. Ask questions about research and what it's like to be a scientist. No experience required. Please bring along your own knitting needles. Guided knitting activity is face-to-face only.

Thursday 15 August from 4pm to 5pm
Darling Square Library, Darling Square

Other events include:

If you’re organising an event of your own, make sure you upload it to the site. It's free and takes minutes to do.

Published 5 August 2024, updated 26 August 2024