Sydney Science Trail

Saving Species: Citizen Science

How can you become involved in species survival? Learn about citizen science projects, how scientists use data collection and the vital role of the public in gathering information that will help identify new species and save threatened species across the world.

Speakers include Nadiah Roslan, FrogID Project Coordinator at the Australian Museum; Prof Martina Doblin, Director and Chief Executive Officer at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science; and Thomas Mesaglio, PhD Student, UNSW iNaturalist Project at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney.

Saving Species: Life on Land

Vital terrestrial ecosystems across the world are becoming endangered. To ensure species survival in Australia and across the world, scientists are working to better understand the essential requirements of animals and their habitat.

Speakers include Samantha Yap, Conservation Genomics Coordinator at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney; Dr Mark Eldridge, Senior Principal Research Scientist, Group Manager Terrestrial Vertebrates at the Australian Museum Research Institute; and Dr Andrew Thornhill, NCW Beadle Herbarium at the University of New England.

Saving Species: Life in the Ocean

Our oceans produce at least 50% of the planet's oxygen and are home to most of Earth's biodiversity. Hear from Sydney-based scientists about the research that is being conducted to ensure the survival of marine species in Australia and across the world. 

Speakers include Dr Yi-Kai Tea, Curator, Ichthyology at the Australian Museum; Elliot Scanes, Marine Biologist at the University of Technology Sydney; and Dr Heidi Kolkert, Lecturer and Collections Manager, Natural History Museum at the University of New England.

Saving Species: Life Under the Microscope

Living things big and small are essential for the survival of species and the health of ecosystems. This talk will look into what part microscopic organisms play in ecosystems and how they are affecting species survival.

Speakers include Dr Lyndle Hardstaff, Postdoctoral Researcher, Australian PlantBank at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney; Dr Matt Shaw, Collection Manager, Arachnology at the Australian Museum; and Dr Andrew Thornhill, NCW Beadle Herbarium at the University of New England.

Saving Species: Regenerating Nature

As climate change starts to impact organisms, we need to look at how adaption and regeneration can ensure species survival. Hear from scientists working on climate change adaption and regeneration projects.

Presented by the Climate Solutions Centre, Australian Museum. 

Speakers include Felix James, Officer of Biodiversity, Sampling (PhD Candidate) at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney; Dr Jenny Newell, Curator of Climate Change at the Australian Museum; and Dr Greta Gaiani, Chancellor's Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Life Sciences at the University of Technology Sydney.

Saving Species: Conservation for the Future

Researchers around the world are working to conserve species in and out of their natural environments. Scientists share how their work is aiding to future-proof and preserve species.

Speakers include Patricia Lu-Irving, Weed Botanist at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney; Dr Isabel Hyman, Research Scientist at the Australian Museum; and Prof Jonathan Webb, School of Life Sciences at the University of Technology Sydney.

Talking Science: Scientific Expeditions

From investigating archaeological artefacts in Papua New Guinea, exploring reefs in the Seychelles, or discovering new plant species in remote parts of the Kimberley, science can take you everywhere. Learn more about the world of scientific expeditions with a panel of passionate researchers from fields including archaeology, marine biology and botany, as they talk about their fascinating research and the places it has taken them.

Speakers include Dr Judith Field, First Nations Archaeology Collections Officer at the Australian Museum; Dr Emma Camp, Future Reefs Team Leader, Climate Change Cluster at the University of Technology Sydney and Peter Jobson, Information Botanist at the Australian Institute of Botanical Science.

Talking Science: Citizen Science

From documenting tree hollows for wildlife, participating in backyard bird counts, and recording frog calls with nothing more than a smartphone, communities are getting hands-on with science and furthering our shared understanding of the world. Join a panel of passionate scientists to hear why there has never been a more important time to become a citizen scientist and find out how your school can get involved.

Speakers include Dr Jodi Rowley, Curator of Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Biology at the Australian Museum and UNSW Sydney; Professor David Booth, School of Life Sciences at the University of Technology Sydney and PhD candidate Thomas Mesaglio.

Talking Science: Scientific Innovations

Have you heard about ‘environmental’ DNA, the traces of genetic blueprints left in water, sediments and even air, that could help scientists uncover the secrets of the past? Science is full of new and creative ideas, and scientists are learning to harness technology in ways previously unimaginable. Join this panel of inspiring STEM researchers as they reveal their innovative research, passions and careers.

Speakers include Dr Yi-Kai Tea, Chadwick Biodiversity Research Fellow, Ichthyology at the Australian Museum; Amber Whitebone, PhD Candidate, Palaeoscience Research Centre at the University of New England; and Dr Georgina Meakin, Senior Lecturer, Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Technology Sydney.

Talking Science: Climate Change Solutions

Climate change solutions are already here and we’re seeing people across the world embrace new ways of living sustainably and adopt clean energy technologies. Hear from inspiring and insightful scientists as they discuss how we can all work together to slow the progress of climate change and better deal with its effects.

Speakers include Dr Jenny Newell, Curator, Climate Change at the Australian Museum; Mira Jordon, Technical Officer Biodiversity Genomics from the Botanic Gardens Sydney and Dr Jennifer Matthews, UTS Chancellors Research Fellow, Climate Change Cluster at the University of Technology Sydney.

What does a day at Sydney Science Trail offer?

Students will participate in four different sessions across the day:

• Scientist Talks or a Science Show at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
• Science Expo at the Australian Museum
• Interactive STEM workshop at either the Australian Museum or the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
• Self-guided experience at either the Australian Museum or the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

All activities are delivered by experienced science communicators from the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Australian Museum, partnering universities and research institutions, and professional science education providers.

Who can attend the Sydney Science Trail education program?

• Primary students (years 3-6): Monday 11 – Tuesday 12 August
• Secondary students (years 7-11): Wednesday 13 – Friday 15 August
• Diverse learners* (years 3-11): Sessions available on Monday 11, Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 August.

*Home-school groups, support classes, EAL/D students or any groups with students with diverse needs.

Education bookings are available to NSW public schools and registered non-government schools.

Who are Diverse Learner Sessions suitable for?

Diverse Learner Sessions are available for students 7+ years of age on Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 August, and for students 11 - 17 years of age on Wednesday 13 August.

These sessions are designed for groups or families requiring a more flexible timetable or higher educator-to-student ratios, such as home school groups, support classes, EAL/D students or any group with students with diverse needs.

What is different about Diverse Learner Sessions?

• AUSLAN Interpreters (if required) at the science show and workshops
• A quiet room/space will be available at both the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and Australian Museum
• Low sensory exhibition space options at Australian Museum (for self-guided experience)
• A Sydney Science Trail social story will be emailed prior to the event
• Wheelchair access
• Group size: there are no minimum group sizes, group size is capped at 30 pax (inclusive of adults and students).
• Educators and supervising adults: all educators and supervising adults must purchase an educator ticket, free of charge, and are included in the attending numbers per group. There is no cap on supervising adults/educators. There must be at least one adult per 15 students to attend with each group.
• Timetable: a flexible timetable can be negotiated depending on students' requirements. Groups can choose to skip a session if they require a longer lunch or need to arrive or leave early. Please contact us directly to discuss this:  programs.info@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au or 9231 8333.
• Tickets: tickets for Diverse Learner Sessions must be purchased online. Educator tickets are required on Diverse Learner Sessions for all educators and supervising adults but are free of charge.
• Mobility: if you have students with mobility issues or would like to discuss a flexible timetable without the walk between the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and the Australian Museum, please contact programs.info@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au to discuss options.
• Children under the age of 7 (non-participating siblings): please note due to limited space, we are unable to accommodate prams and non-participating children in some workshop, show and expo venues. Please contact:  programs.info@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au for more information.

What is the schedule for the primary school and high school days?

Your excursion information pack will be sent to you prior to the event and will instruct you to bring students to either the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney or the Australian Museum ready to start by 9am. This will allow students to have a snack and use the bathroom before activities commence at 9:30am sharp.

Student groups rotate through four 60-minute sessions across two historic venues – two sessions at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and two sessions at the Australian Museum.

• Morning sessions: 9:30am – 10:30am and 10:30am – 11:30am
• Lunch and change venues: 11:30am – 12:30pm
• Afternoon sessions: 12:30pm – 1:30pm and 1:30pm – 2:30pm

There is one 60-minute break scheduled between 11:30am – 12:30pm. This will allow students to have lunch and walk between the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and the Australian Museum.

All students will walk from one site to the other during the day.

Instructions on the specific meeting locations for different groups will be provided after booking.

Activities are scheduled to finish at 2:30pm. Students that started at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney will finish at the Australian Museum, and vice-versa. Please check your confirmed program for your start and finish points.

What does a sample schedule look like?

• 9:00am: Arrive at Woolloomooloo Gate, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
• 9:30am - 10:30am: Interactive STEM workshop at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
• 10:30am - 11:30am: Scientist Talk or Science Show at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
• 11:30am - 12:30pm: Lunch in the Garden and walk to the Australian Museum
• 12:30pm - 1:30pm: Science Expo at the Australian Museum
• 1:30pm - 2:30pm: Self-guided experience at the Australian Museum
• 2:30pm: Finish

What is the schedule for the Diverse Learner Sessions?

Daily Schedule:

• Morning program at the Australian Museum: 9.30 - 11:30am
• Lunch and walk (15-20 min) to Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney: 11.30 – 12.30pm
• Afternoon program at Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney : 12.30 - 2:30pm
• Participants should plan to arrive around 9am at the Australian Museum. This will allow time for a snack and to use the bathroom before activities commence at 9:30am.

Final schedules with workshop and self guided group allocations will be emailed prior to the event with full event information.

Group allocations: All Diverse Learner Session ticket holders will attend the Science Show/Scientist Talk and the Expo together. STEM workshop groups will have a maximum of 30 (adults + children) and you will remain with this group for the self-guided experience.

If you indicated you were with a group on the booking form, we will endeavour to apply this to the STEM workshop group you are allocated to. We are not able to offer choices of workshop this year, workshops will be allocated to best suit the groupings.

How will students move between the Garden and the Museum?

Students will need to complete one walk from either the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney to the Australian Museum or vice-versa.

We have allowed a 60-minute break for groups to undertake this walk. It is an easy, flat walk covering 1.2km, and takes approximately 13 minutes.

All students and teachers will be escorted by a Sydney Science Trail volunteer along the safest pedestrian route.

If you have students with mobility issues, please contact programs.info@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au to discuss options.

Do schools have to organise their own transportation?

Yes, schools are responsible for bringing students and teachers to and from site.

How do you get to the Garden and the Museum?

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney: Bus bay and accessible parking bays are provided near the Woolloomooloo Gate and outside the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Limited metered parking is available. Public transport is recommended.

Australian Museum: there is no public car parking available at the Australian Museum. There is a bus bay and accessible parking drop off zone on William Street. Public transport is recommended.

What size group will the students be placed in?

Students will be placed into Group A, B, C or D with a maximum of 150 students in each group.

Each group of up to 150 will visit the Science Expo at the Australian Museum and attend the Scientist Talk or Science Show  at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney as a whole group.

Workshops and self-guided experiences will have groups of a maximum size of 30 and will be held at either the Australian Museum or the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Students will be kept within their school groups as much as possible.

Do teachers/adults need to accompany students?

Yes, allocate at least one adult per 15 students to attend with each group (primary and high school). Additional adult places- up to one student per adult, are provided for the Diverse Learner Sessions. Schools/educators retain duty of care for all their students on the excursion.

How do I book?

Teachers can book places for students through the Botanic Gardens of Sydney website from 3 February until COB 27 June 2025.

The receiving of a booking confirmation document by email constitutes an agreement that your excursion is booked and confirmed and subject to our cancellation policy.

Invoices based on final numbers will be issued once final numbers have been confirmed (four weeks from the booking date). Any bookings received after 27 June will be invoiced immediately and require payment within 7 days.

Payment options will be included on the invoice, including credit card options. American Express, cash and cheque payments are not accepted under any circumstances.

Once issued, invoices are final with payment terms of 14 days (unless bookings are made after 27 June, where payment terms are 7 days).

Tickets for Diverse Learner Sessions  can only be booked online and must be paid at the time of booking. Changes to these bookings can be made up to COB 4 July 2025 by contacting programs.info@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au.

What is the cost per student?

Participation is $25 (incl. gst) per student. Supervising teachers or educators do not incur a cost as duty of care remains the responsibility of the booked school or group.

A minimum charge of 20 students per school group applies.

There is no minimum booking for the Diverse Learner Sessions.

Are any subsidies available?

Through the generous support of the Australian Museum Foundation, the Neilson Foundation and generous donors of the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, we are pleased to offer eligible primary and secondary students, free entry to the Sydney Science Trail.

Eligible students include those from Australian primary and secondary schools with an Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA) value of less than 1000, or a special school, as defined by the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA).

Home schools are not eligible to apply.

Funds will be allocated on a first come, first served basis through the booking process.

Can I put a preference for scientist talks or workshops?

The Sydney Science Trail Education Program covers a range of scientific topics and is designed to generate excitement and engagement in STEM areas amongst your students in celebration of National Science Week. In 2025, it will not be possible to select a preferred Scientist Talk or STEM workshop, however you will be advised which of these you will be attending well in advance of your excursion date so you can prepare students accordingly if you wish. The full education program will be available online from 28 April 2025.

Is there a maximum number of places I can book?

There are capacity limits for each day of the program. If you have a large group, it is best to book early. Our bookings team will work with you to accommodate group bookings of all sizes.

Can gifted and talented primary students attend on the secondary school days?

No, primary school students are not able to attend on the secondary school days.  Our STEM workshops are delivered by trained educators and students are encouraged to ask questions to extend the offering to meet their level of learning.

Can I get a refund if I need to cancel or reduce my group booking?

For schools: After your booking has been confirmed, final numbers are due within four weeks or by 27 June 2025 (whichever comes first). Your invoice will be issued within two business days and once paid, no further changes can be made. If you need to cancel or make changes to your numbers, notification must be made in writing to programs.info@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au .

For Diverse Learner Sessions: Changes or cancellations can be made up until 11 July 2025. after this date, bookings are not refundable.

Accessibility at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Accessibility at the Australian Museum

The submission of a booking request is a formal request for a Sydney Science Trail education booking with the Botanic Gardens of Sydney and the Australian Museum for the date/s specified.

The receiving of a booking confirmation document by email constitutes an agreement that your excursion is booked and confirmed and subject to our cancellation policy.

Final numbers for your booking are due 4 weeks after confirmation or by 27 June 2025, whichever date comes first. An invoice based on final numbers will be provided within two business days of receipt of final numbers with payment terms of 14 days (unless bookings are made after 27 June, where payment terms are 7 days). If you do not wish to proceed with your booking, or if you need to make changes to your attending numbers, notification must be made in writing to programs.info@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au.

Minimum charges per booked group apply.

All invoices will be issued within two business days of confirmation of final numbers. Payment options will be included on the invoice, including credit card options. American Express, cash and cheque payments are not accepted under any circumstances.

Once issued, invoices are final with payment terms of 14 days (unless bookings are made after 27 June, where payment terms are 7 days).

Botanic Gardens of Sydney and the Australian Museum reserves the right to cancel or modify any event in case of extreme weather or changes to New South Wales Government public health advice. In this instance, participants will be notified by email as soon as practicable.

All booked programs will go ahead in wet weather, unless it is an extreme weather condition.

All cancellation requests must be made in writing to programs.info@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au before payment has been made. Date and session changes are at the discretion of Botanic Gardens of Sydney and the Australian Museum.

Invoices are final, as such:

1. 1. 1. any reduced attendance for booked groups on the day will be subject to payment of the invoiced amount,
      2. cancellations made after payment has been made will not be refunded,
      3. ‘no shows’ on the day will not be refunded.