Sydney Science Trail 2024
Celebrate National Science Week with an adventure full of family-friendly science programs and excursions for primary and secondary students, presented from 10 - 18 August in collaboration with the Botanic Gardens of Sydney.
Celebrate National Science Week with a jam-packed program of school excursions for primary and secondary students and family-friendly community days.
This annual program by the Australian Museum, Botanic Gardens of Sydney and their partners is an opportunity for curious kids of all ages and schools to think, talk and experience the science conducted at our organisations – from the study of the natural world and research into the effects of climate change, to exploration of the environmental knowledges of First Nations peoples.
School Excursions: 12 – 16 August 2024
Bookings now open.
Get your school involved with National Science Week at the Sydney Science Trail, live at the Australian Museum and Royal Botanic Garden Sydney this August.
Featuring our popular Science Expo, interactive STEM workshops, tours and shows or panel discussions led by research scientists, the Sydney Science Trail will ignite curiosity and spark wonder in your students.
Program entry includes four activity sessions (including Sydney Science Trail Expo) between 9.30am and 2.30pm across both Australian Museum and Royal Botanic Garden Sydney sites. Easily accessible by public transport or designated bus drop off/pick up locations. Click on the booking link below to see full program details.
Program overview
- Secondary students Years 7-11: Monday 12 - Wednesday 14 August
- Primary students Years 3-6: Thursday 15 August
- Diverse learners Years 3-11: Friday 16 August (For students across Years 3-11, this day is designed for groups requiring a more flexible timetable or higher educator to student ratios, such as homeschool groups, support classes, EAL/D students or students with diverse needs)
Cost: $20 per student (inc GST)
Entry includes four different sessions across the day:
- Saving Species Talk (secondary students) or Science Show (primary students and diverse learners) at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
- Science Expo at the Australian Museum
- Interactive STEM Workshop (choose one from four options) 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
Class 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
Family Community Days: 17 – 18 August 2024
Join us for a family-friendly science festival at the Australian Museum on Saturday 17 August hosted by none other than the Surfing Scientist Ruben Meerman. Explore the famous Sydney Science Trail Expo full of interactive stalls to get hands-on with science and technology – it's a kids STEM bonanza!
Adventure to the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan on Sunday 18 August. Explore the endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland, go behind the scenes at the National Herbarium of New South Wales, take a First Nations-led bush tucker walk, or join one of our many other fun workshops and activities.
Stay tuned for more details and registrations opening in July.
Watch videos from the Talking Science panel discussions
Recorded during Sydney Science Trail 2023, Talking Science brings together leading scientific researchers to talk about everything from climate change solutions to environmental DNA.
Age: Secondary Schools
Time: 45 mins
Format: Video
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.
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.
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.
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.
