Fun characters from National Science Week. A girl wearing a VR headset reaches up to pat a virtual dinosaur. A boy with a space helmet pointing to a shooting star. And a woman engineer puts together a robot. A girls with binoculars looking for birds. A young man holding a tablet across his chest with an xray of his skeleton and heart. A guy in a wheelchair blowing bubbles.

We’re celebrating National Science Week 2022 from Saturday, 13 August to Sunday, 21 August 2022

National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. Each year, events highlight the importance of these fields and the impact they have on the world in which we all live.

Since 1997, National Science Week has been inspiring Australians of all ages and 2022 is no exception.

In total, more than 1,000 events will take place around Australia, hosted by universities, schools, research institutions, libraries, museums and science centres.

National Science Week is a key part of the Australian Government’s approach to science engagement and inspiring Australians to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

In launching National Science Week 2022 at Parliament House, Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic said it was an incredible opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our scientists.

“Australia is home to some of the best and brightest scientists and researchers – and it’s an incredible talent pool that we want to grow,” Minister Husic said.

“National Science Week is an incredible opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our scientists who are making our world a better place,” Minister Husic said.

“At the launch event for National Science Week today we heard from three outstanding First Nations scientists, and I acknowledge the unique perspective and knowledge that Indigenous STEM experts bring to Australian science.”

Event details and activities

National Science Week 2022 runs from Saturday, 13 August to Sunday, 21 August

In 2022, the government is supporting 35 National Science Week projects across Australia with $500,000 of funding. From searching for dinosaur footprints in Victoria, to conducting community hands-on experiments in Western Sydney woodlands, there’s no shortage of activity to excite curiosity.

This year National Science Week is celebrating First Nations science. A number of events showcase the deep scientific, technological and engineering insight in First Nations knowledge systems.

The schools theme for National Science Week 2022 is Glass: More than meets the eye. Teachers and students can join activities celebrating the roles glass plays in our lives – from phone screens to optical fibre to glassware in labs.

Events our department supported include:

  • Indigenous Science Experience at Redfern – What can Aboriginal astronomy tell us about the night sky? How is our native flora used in bush medicine? How do Indigenous Australians make axes from stone? What can we learn about sustainable living from 60,000+ years of Indigenous culture? Find out the answers to these questions and more at the Indigenous Science Experience.
  • National Quantum and Dark Matter Road Trip -- a travelling science show, bringing all things quantum and dark matter to locations around the country.

Many of the activities are virtual. Here are just some of the inspiring online events you can join:

  • SciFest 2022 – take part in the biggest virtual excursions festival in Australia promoting science and technology. This year, SciFest links up with National Science Week, offering 15 events from some of Australia's best education providers.
  • Sci-Fi Series: Is RNA the answer to cancer? – join a live panel discussion to learn about RNA. mRNA is well-known as the key ingredient in COVID-19 vaccines, but RNA technology could also play an important role in how we treat other conditions such as cancer, cystic fibrosis and schizophrenia.
  • Good bugs, bad bugs – preserving and fermenting food in glass – find out the important role that glass plays in fermenting, storing and preserving food safely.
  • Vote for Australia’s favourite tree -- Wattle or woollybutt? The search is on thanks to ABC NSW’s citizen science week project.

Find more events happening online or around your local areas on the National Science Week website.

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