Anything from dark matter art; from space to the Deep; AI and First Nations; animal sounds and bits; even a Poo Palace! The national festival that reaches nearly two million people through thousands of events is back from 12-20 August.  

National Science Week offers stories for every round: entertainment, business, environment, food and wine, Indigenous media, the arts, health, technology, farming and agriculture, lifestyle, education, LGBTQI+, and disability media.

National Science Week is one of Australia’s largest festivals and was first held in 1997. Last year about 1.9 million people participated in more than 1,650 events and activities. It is proudly supported by the Australian Government, CSIRO, the Australian Science Teachers Association, and the ABC.

Here are a few early picks you could visit: 

Sydney: Space travel to deep sea exploration: meet reserve astronaut Meganne Christian and Mariana Trench researcher Nicole Yamase.

Newcastle: Climb and bounce your way through a giant inflatable Poo Palace that recreates the journey of food, from lips to lavatory. 

Canberra: Blade Runner: what’s the science vs science fiction? Ask the experts. 

National: What is Australia’s favourite animal sound? Get to know our local tweets, howls, bellows, barks, chirps, croaks and calls with the ABC’s national poll.  

Online: How artificial intelligence and blockchain could help preserve First Nations knowledge. Live webinar with a proud Gunai Kurnai man of the Palawa nation. 

Visit ScienceWeek.net.au/events to find stories in your area.