Best Science Week Events and Activities in Sydney 2022

Dust off your lab coats and polish your test tubes, science lovers! National Science Week is coming to town for 9 days of wild and wonderful experiences.

Ignite your child's imagination and join the celebrations during the 25th National Science Week from Saturday 13 August to Sunday 22 August 2022. There is an incredible line-up array of events and activities that explore science and technology, happening across the city. The annual showcase aims to inspire curiosity and creativity in budding scientists as well as teach children about the world around them and their relationship to it.

Here are some of the best Science Week events and activities taking over Sydney this year.

Best Science Week Events and Activities in Sydney 2022

1. Science in the Swamp at Centennial Parklands

The popular Science in the Swamp free, family day is making a much-anticipated return to Centennial Parklands to celebrate National Science Week. It is an action-packed event that is set to transform the Dickens Lawn into a pop-up village of scientific delights with over 30 awe-inspiring stalls and activity stations, bursting with fun and discovery and fun.

Let your curiosity guide you through experiments and displays, learn bush survival skills at the Bush Craft Village, meet furry, feathered and scaly friends, explore the pop-up ocean lab by The Maritime Museum and behold a stellar line-up of stage performances from slime and bubbles to Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. Plus, meet scientists including geologists, zoologists, astronomers and marine biologists, but look out for the life-size Australovenator dinosaur puppet, who will be lurking through the swamp on a prehistoric tour!

Where:   Dickens' Lawn, Loch Avenue South, Centennial Park 
When:    Sunday 21 August 2022 | 11 am - 3pm   
Cost:      FREE

2. Science in the Scrub at Western Sydney Parklands

For the first time ever, Western Sydney Parklands is coming to the party for National Science Week! To will celebrate, they are hosting a fantastic free family festival - Science in the Scrub - jam-packed with hands-on science experiments and displays, a Bush Craft Village teaching outback survival skills and an ocean lab by The Maritime Museum.

Lizard Log will be transformed into a pop-up village of fascinating scientific delights with over 30 awe-inspiring stalls and activity stations, where you can meet scientists like geologists, zoologists, astronomers and marine biologists, as well as furry, feathered and scaly friends!

There will also be a schedule of stage performances from buzzing ecology-pop tunes to the must-see show bringing the iconic Snugglepot and Cuddlepie to life, and keep your eyes peeled for the supersized roaming Australovenator dinosaur puppet on his prehistoric tour of the scrub!

Where:   Lizard Log Amphitheatre, Western Sydney Parklands, The Horsley Dr &, Cowpasture Rd, Abbotsbury
When:    Sunday 14 August 2022 | 11am - 3pm
Cost:      FREE

3. Sydney Science Trail at the Australian Museum

The Sydney Science Trail is back at the Australian Museum for National Science Week, with a family-friendly science festival that will take over the halls and spaces of the museum with spectacular demonstrations, workshops, talks and shows. The famous Sydney Science Trail Expo is a kids’ STEM bonanza, with interactive stalls to get hands-on with science and technology.

The full-day science bonanza will be a treasure trove of fun and fascinating activities for kids of all ages! Hear about climate change solutions from Dr Karl, expand your understanding of First Nations tools and technologies and get your giggle on with silly science! Wildlife-loving children can meet furry possums, slithering pythons, preening birds and more at the free Australian wildlife shows. Dinosaur lovers can witness a T-Rex autopsy show, learn about megafauna, and go on safari to spot Winny the Muttaburrasaurus, the roving puppet dinosaur.

Take a look at the jam-packed schedule!

Where:   Australia Museum, 1 William St, Darlinghurst
When:    Sunday 14 August 2022 | 11am - 3pm
Cost:      FREE and ticketed events

4. Sydney Science Trail at Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

A family-friendly festival will be taking over the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney for a day of free talks, outdoor activities and hands-on fair stalls celebrating all things science. The Sydney Science Trail will include fizzing experiments, hair-raising demonstrations and close encounters with wildlife. Journey through awe-inspiring educational activities with scientists and take free tours exploring First Nations Medicine, the Plant Clinic and the Orchid Nursery.

Don't miss the Chemical Reactions and Liquid Nitrogen shows, plus you can get creative with botanical illustration, First Nations weaving and repurposing ‘garbage’ into craft. The carnival atmosphere will be in full swing with food trucks, face-painting, nature-play activities and roving performers.

Where:   Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney
When:    Saturday 13 August 2022 | 11am - 3pm
Cost:      FREE

5. Powerhouse Sydney Science Festival

One of the biggest Science Week celebrations this year is happening at Powerhouse Museum. Produced by the museum since 2015, the 9-day Sydney Science Festival is one of Australia’s leading public science programs.

There is a bumper schedule of events throughout the festival starting with a fascinating series of conversations from a former Google engineer and a former NASA Astronaut. Hear from experts in the fields of solar power, microrecycling, gender equity in health sciences and aquatic ecosystems. 

Where:   Powerhouse Ultimo, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo
               Events are also on at Sydney Town Hall, Westmead Institute for Medical
               Research and online.
When:    Friday 12 - Saturday 20 August 2022
Cost:      FREE

6. Family Science Day in Parramatta

Also presented by Powerhouse, in partnership with Western Sydney University and City of Parramatta, Family Science Day will be a hive of free kids' activities. The free community event at Parramatta Square and Western Sydney University will be abuzz with demonstrations, talks and hands-on activities designed to inspire the whole family.

Drive a replica Mars rovers through obstacle courses, build a rocket out of recycled materials, learn about biodiversity in your local environment and build a house for birds and bees to take home. You can also speed-meet scientists across a variety of areas, explore the fascinating realms of medicine, ecology, climate change and astronomy and interact with robots!

Where:   Parramatta Square, Parramatta
               Level 9, Western Sydney University, Parramatta City Campus
When:    Saturday 20 August 2022 | 10am - 4pm
Cost:      FREE

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