National Science Week
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Dip into fun, interactive events, exhibitions, screenings, talks and experiments that celebrate and explore National Science Week.
Join us for the second instalment of the Big Blue Ideas series, and a full day of actives for the whole family for Wonder-Sea STEAM fun day.
In an action-packed week, schools will explore the use of maths in this year's school theme Decoding the Universe – Exploring the unknown with nature’s hidden language. Students will sail on tall ship Duyfken, meet an ocean scientist in a virtual excursion or face-to-face in our Decoding the Ocean speaker session. We also have free daily webinars for school, as well as science workshops that can be booked year round.
There'll also be opportunities to meet the team around Sydney at Science in the Scrub, the Sydney Science Trail.
Public programs at the museum
Blue World's Valerie Taylor Ocean Prize 2025
Friday 8 August | 6.30pm
Hear from Wilderlab Founder and Principal Scientist, Shaun Wilkinson and Dr Alexandra K. Schnell, a National Geographic explorer, presenting on Ocean Minds: A Glimpse into Underwater Intelligence. Followed by the prize announcements with special guest Valerie Taylor AM.
Big Blue Ideas
Plastic – the final straw?
Thursday 14 August | 6.30pm
Our oceans are full of it. We eat, drink, and breathe tiny plastic particles every day.
Is this the health crisis of our time, or are we overreacting? This session cuts through the noise with real solutions—no empty promises, just the hard truth about what works.
The problem is inside us—literally—but the solutions might be, too.
Wonder-Sea STEAM fun for families
Sunday 17 August | 11am – 3pm
Dip into creative fun, research, interactive experiments and workshops that explore the future of our oceans.
Meet visiting scientists and sci-artists whose work investigates and celebrates the biodiversity of Australia’s marine ecosystems. Learn about innovative technologies in coral reef rehabilitation from UTS C3 Future Reefs team, and meet the pint-sized planet protectors that save our seas – from amazing algal microscope footage by East Coast Algae Biosystems to a hands on workshop inspired by phytoplankton and zooplankton at our Kids on Deck maker space.
Coral reef restoration with UTS C3 Future reefs
Join the team from UTS Climate Change Cluster Future reefs team in hands on demonstrations, talks and tactile opportunities to learn about the amazing techniques and technologies that are enabling more resilient coral reefs and reef restoration. The Future Reefs research team studies reef-forming corals, the organisms that sustain the entire productivity and biodiversity of coral reef ecosystems. Free, drop in activity for all ages.
Amazing Algae with East Coast Algae Biosystems
View amazing footage of algae under the microscope created by East Coast Algae- a biotech start-up investigating wild strains of microalgae for applications in biotechnology & sustainable agriculture. Learn about the potential of algae to create new and sustainable alternatives to things like soft plastics, polyester fibres, animal feed, meat and fuel. Free, drop in activity for all ages.
Wild Wonders in Kids on Deck
Join in creative activities with your family in Kids on Deck maker space. Unleash your inner scientist as you learn to collect and explore phytoplankton and zooplankton under the microscope, make food chains and souvenir sculptures of your favourite microscopic marvels. Fashion bottlecaps into new reusable creations with our recycled plastics machine. Make kelp forest puppets and collages that celebrate the curious and wonderful Australian marine life. Included with paid museum entry and recommended ages 4-12 and adults.
Free trials of underwater drones
Game on! Explore beneath the surface of the harbour as you learn to pilot one of our underwater drones in 15 minute hands-on trial sessions and demonstrations presented by our ocean-science educators. Free, drop in activity for ages 8 to adults.
Drones trials are suitable for wheelchair users. This activity may be cancelled in the event of adverse weather conditions.
Rhiannon Hopley
Marinco Kojdanovski
Rhiannon Hopley
Magical marine life
Mural Workshops with Azzuro Batic
Friday 15 August
Saturday 16 August
Sunday 17 August
11am – 3pm
Be inspired by one of the world’s most amazing and least-known underwater ecosystems- the Great Southern Reef- in drop-in mural-making workshops with artist Azzuro Batic. Explore the intersection between ocean science, research and art. Join Azzy in a mural collaboration this Science week where we learn about and recreate the various endangered marine flora and fauna that call the Great Southern reef home. You can also explore more about this amazing area in free screenings in the museum theatre. Free drop in, all ages welcome.
Artist Bio
Film Screenings by Ocean Imaging
Daily 10-17 August | 10am – 4pm
Relax with screenings of beautiful and fascinating documentary features by Ocean Imaging and the Great Southern reef foundation including Reviving Giants, Giant Kelp and Green Gravel, exploring the amazing ecosystems created by kelp forests in Australia, the threats to the survival of this essential marine flora and the incredible technologies, advocacy and initiatives that are endeavouring to rehabilitate and keep kelp reefs flourishing into the future.
Please note the museum’s cinema space is occasionally booked for private functions and may not be available for public access on the day of your visit.
Explore science and the natural world in the museum
Schools programs
STEM sail on Sydney Harbour
Secondary students are invited to embark on an extraordinary educational adventure aboard the wooden tallship Duyfken. In a three-hour sail on Sydney Harbour, students engage in hands-on learning about the practical applications of mathematics on a tallship, discover what life is like as a sailor and hear First Nations stories about local Country, First Contacts and reconciliation. This unique opportunity brings STEM to life in a captivating and memorable way.
Bookings closed
STEM Careers and Decoding the Ocean
Join us for an inspiring speaker session with some of our leading ocean scientists from the Royal Australian Navy and Australian universities. Students will be fascinated by the many ways in which scientific knowledge can be applied to solve problems and innovate in ocean research. This is a unique chance to explore STEM career journeys and be inspired by those at the forefront of scientific exploration.
Students will get the chance to explore the museum’s exhibitions and go on board HMAS Vampire as a part of their visit.
Year groups: 9, 10, 11,12
Learning areas: Science, physics, chemistry, mathematics
Program duration: 4 hours
Cost: Free event
Friday 15 August, 10 – 11 pm AEST (speaker session), 11 – 2 pm AEST (explore the museum)
Book an education workshop
Bring your stage 2 students on an excursion to the Maritime Museum during National Science Week to discover the superpowers of plankton and learn about innovative solutions to ocean pollution, or discover our Year 11 depth study focused on marine science.
Available during Science Week on Wednesday 13 and Thursday 14 August, or book in for Term 2, 3 or 4.
Visit us around Sydney
Sydney Science Trail
Saturday 9 – Thursday 14, August
Australian Museum
Visit the Sea Museum expo booth at the Sydney Science Trail during National Science Week. We will have a booth at the expo with fun, ocean-themed, interactive activities for children and families. Try the buoyancy challenge, learn how sailors use maths to navigate across the high seas, hold a Sperm Whale tooth and more!
Science in the Scrub
Pop-up Ocean Lab
Sunday 10 August 11am – 3pm
Western Sydney Parklands, Lizard Log
Free event
Meet the pint-sized planet protectors that save our seas - phytoplankton and zooplankton! Explore aquatic specimens under the microscope and upcycle marine debris into spectacular new creations. Get hands on with preserved creature specimens and slippery slimy experiments inspired by the sea.
