Every August, campuses and museums around the country showcase the wondrous and wacky world of science, to inform and entertain us, and to inspire the next generation of STEM students to pursue a career in the sciences. See what’s on across the South Coast region, including a full program at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum in Huskisson. Or search for more events near you on the National Science Week website.
What’s the Porpoise? Marine mammal research
Monday 11 August, 11.00am-12.00pm, Jervis Bay Maritime Museum
Tickets $8 per adult, children under 16 Free. Tickets include entry to the day’s event/s with refreshments provided after the second event. Bookings essential.
Two amazing researchers who are helping the ocean will share their latest work.
Dr Katharina Peters from the Marine Vertebrate Ecology (MAVE) Lab at the University of Wollongong will give us a behind-the scenes look at how we study the lives of whales, dolphins, and seals, from drone-based body condition assessments to modelling the impacts of climate change and human activity on marine mammals.
Marine scientist Elise Beaumont will talk about how fisheries bycatch is pushing dolphin populations toward extinction, and why we need better bycatch prevention in our fisheries.
Exploring the Alien World Beside Us
Monday 11 August, 10.00am-11.00am, Jervis Bay Maritime Museum
Tickets $8 per adult children under 16 free. Tickets include entry to the day’s events with refreshments provided after the second event. Bookings essential.
Join diver and underwater photographer Rod Sleath to learn about some of the amazing creatures that inhabit our own patch of the alien world of Jervis Bay.
We think of the Earth as a planet where the animals live and breathe in an atmosphere of air. But in fact, 71% of our planet is covered in water, and 78% of animal biomass resides in our oceans. The most extensive habitat on our planet is liquid, the vast majority of animals that live there have to extract oxygen from water, which by volume is only 1% in water, versus 21% in the air we surface dwellers breathe.
Tiny Worlds, Big Fun with oneminmicro
Saturday 16 August, 12.00pm-1.00pm Jervis Bay Maritime Museum
Tickets $8 per adult with children under 16 Free. Tickets include entry to the day’s event/s with refreshments provided after the second event. Bookings essential.
Join TikTok Science phenomenon, Dr Walt Carroll from oneminmicro as he delves into our micro natural world, analysing everything from bird feathers to beetle larvae, making tiny details and creatures a big deal. Join this interactive presentation as we discover micro details with live microscopic demonstrations.
Turning Knowledge into Culture
Saturday 16 August 11.00am-11.45am Jervis Bay Maritime Museum
Tickets $8 per adult with children under 16 free. Tickets include entry to the day’s event/s with refreshments provided after the second event
Places for each day are limited; purchasing prior to the event is essential.
Join artist Dr Nigel Helyer as he illustrates the cycle of translating the raw material of our environment into abstract data in order to reveal invisible patterns (something science does so well). Hang tight as Nigel goes the extra mile to transform these abstract data into visceral forms (sculpture, image and sound) to “rewild” scientific knowledge.
Micro Nature Station
Saturday 16 August 1.00pm-2:00pm Jervis Bay Maritime Museum
Join us at the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum to explore the tiny details of the world around you. Explore the Museum grounds, collect samples of nature, look at them under a microscope and record your discoveries.
TikTok science star Dr Walt Carroll will be on-hand to answer all your burning questions as he helps our next generation of scientists.
Science on the South Coast – Interactive activities at UOW Shoalhaven Campus
Saturday 16 August 10.00am-3.00pm Shoalhaven Campus, University of Wollongong, West Nowra
The Shoalhaven campus of the University of Wollongong will transform into a hub of science activities. From rockets to reptiles to robotics, spectacular science shows to flight simulators, and from inside your body to the sun. Café and coffee cart on site.
Fly a virtual Navy helicopter or visit the Dragon Training mobile zoo reptile display with a crocodile, snake, turtle, frogs and more.
Build Lego robotics or tour the observatory. Explore the human body with models, ultrasound and medical simulations.
Sensory Science – Audible anatomy for people with low/no vision, dyslexia or other reading difficulties
Saturday 16 August 10.00am-3.00pm Shoalhaven campus, University of Wollongong, West Nowra
Hold a heart and hear about what it does. Listen to descriptions of the liver and lungs as you feel their form and learn of their functions. This exhibition is designed for people who are blind or have low vision, dyslexia or find it difficult to read information, or simply for those who prefer to learn via listening rather than reading.
Hold anatomical models of different organs in our body such as the heart, kidney, liver, lungs and more. A QR code at each station will link to an audio description of the model. There will also be written information for those who prefer visual learning.
Science Symposium 2025 – Hidden messages from the Shoalhaven Ecologies
Friday 15 August 10.00am-3.00pm Bundanon Art Museum, Illaroo
Science Symposium $50/$25 with add-on experiences $25 for Bird watching with Birdlife Shoalhaven and $25 for Cultural Walk
Bundanon’s Science Week Symposium returns with a day of fascinating talks and displays on hidden ecosystems, hosted by Clarence Slockee. The day features presentations from leading scientists and cultural practitioners, including insights into native bees and citizen science with Alison Mellor, the botanical world with Jedda Lemmon, mammal ecology with Katarina Mikac, and Indigenous weeding practices with Crystal Arnold. Bush regeneration and a special conversation between Bill Gammage and Clarence Slockee round out the program. The symposium includes a Welcome and Smoking Ceremony, morning tea and lunch.\
Parasite Pandemic Escape Room – A race for the antidote
Thursday 14 August – Saturday 16 August 9.00am-5.00pm Kioloa Coastal Campus of Australian National University, Kioloa
Free (for ages 12+)
Your mission: find the antidote and save humankind from a rapidly spreading parasite pandemic!
In the Parasite Pandemic: Escape Room participants must work together in a research laboratory to solve a series of puzzles, crack codes, and answer questions. Through this hands-on experience, participants will gain a taste of how scientists tackle global health challenges.
Check out the rest of the events being held as part of Parasite Pandemic on 14-16 August at the ANU Kioloa Coastal Campus, Kioloa.
