National Science Week

National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. Running in August each year, it features more than 1000 events around Australia, including those delivered by universities, schools, research institutions, libraries, museums and science centres.

These events attract a wide audience from children to adults and science amateurs to professionals. Over one million people participate in science events across the nation.

Get on board with Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology!

Running each year in August, National Science Week features more than 1000 events around the country and engages more than 1 million people!

Payirri-apinthirlu naalityangka (Kaurna language) First Nations Science Festival a National Science Week initiative

Payirri-apinthirlu naalityangka

First Nations Science Festival

The SA NSWk Coordinating Committee launched a new event in 2022, a First Nations Science Festival, to showcase First Nations knowledge(s).

In 2023 the festival was gifted a Kaurna name Payirri-apinthirlu naalityangka, which means investigate with you all.

Payirri-apinthirlu naalityangka aims to not only showcase First Nations knowledge(s) but also encourage and support participation by First Nations people and organisations in National Science Week along with inspire an interest in STEM study, careers and hobbies.

Proposal for activities for the 2025 Festival are welcome. Activities such as hands on workshops, talks or demonstrations that share traditional and modern Indigenous knowledge(s) or which showcase both historic and current Indigenous scientists, researchers and entrepreneurs. Funds are available to support the delivery of events and activities.

Please contact the Inspiring Australian Program Manager inspiringSA@sa.gov.au to discuss.

2025 Schools Theme

The 2025 National Science Week School theme is ‘Decoding the Universe – Exploring the unknown with nature’s hidden language’

The theme invites students and teachers across Australia to delve into the mysteries of the Universe by exploring the fundamental languages of nature, including mathematics and the groundbreaking field of quantum science.

Aligned with the 2025 UN International year of Quantum Science and Technology and the 2025 International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) being hosted in Australia, this theme serves as a bridge between basic science education and the exploration of special topics.

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