National Science Week comes to life at Museums Victoria
Get ready to explore fresh ideas, groundbreaking research and the wonders of the universe as National Science Week 2025 returns to Museums Victoria from Saturday 9 to Sunday 17 August.
Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology brings a packed program of workshops, exhibitions, expert talks and experiences to Melbourne Museum, Scienceworks and IMAX Melbourne with something for curious minds of all ages.
As part of this celebration, Museums Victoria will showcase the work of its Research Institute, where scientists are actively decoding the natural world, from deep time and biodiversity to space science and deep-sea exploration. With one of the nation’s largest scientific teams embedded in a museum environment, the Institute plays a vital role in advancing discovery and shaping our understanding of life on Earth and beyond.
This year’s education theme, Decoding the Universe – Exploring the Unknown with Nature’s Hidden Language, invites audiences to uncover the fundamental systems, structures and signals that guide the natural world.
At Melbourne Museum, the popular Science on Show weekend returns, offering visitors the chance to meet the scientists who decode nature’s clues. Through pop-up talks, displays, and rarely seen specimens, visitors will gain insight into how Museums Victoria Research Institute experts reveal hidden stories – from ancient fossils and deep-sea creatures to shimmering minerals and endangered species. Whether you’re fascinated by microbes, meteorites or megafauna, this is your chance to connect with science in action.
While every week is science week at Scienceworks, the focus turns to the future of life beyond Earth. In collaboration with the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space, visitors can dive into the science of space agriculture and discover how researchers are decoding plant biology to support human survival in space.
In addition, Museums Victoria is partnering with Engineers Australia to inspire the next generation of engineers and innovators through an engineering-focused program tied to the Tinkertown exhibition. Designed for children aged 6 to 12 and their carers, the program features role models from Engineers Australia who present participants with real-world challenges, inviting them to brainstorm, design and prototype solutions using tools provided in Tinkertown. Participants will then have the opportunity to present their ideas and receive feedback, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills.
Lynley Crosswell, CEO and Director of Museums Victoria said, ‘Through the Museums Victoria Research Institute, our scientists are continually uncovering new knowledge – from decoding the stories held in ancient fossils and meteorites to advancing our understanding of biodiversity, deep time and the universe. National Science Week is a moment to celebrate the impact of this work and share it with the community, highlighting how research drives discovery, informs education, and connects us all to the natural world.’
Don’t miss out on this celebration of science and discovery – explore the program highlights below or visit the Museums Victoria website for the full schedule.
MELBOURNE MUSEUM
Science on Show
Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 August | Included with museum entry
Behind every specimen is a story – come meet the people who know them best.
Step into the heart of scientific discovery at Science on Show – Melbourne Museum’s annual celebration for National Science Week. For one weekend only, meet the minds behind the Museum as our leading scientists breathe life into the collections through pop-up talks, hands-on displays, and interesting behind-the-scenes facts.
Nocturnal Museum After Dark: Decoded
Thursday 14 August | Ticketed event for adults 18+
Nocturnal is your adults-only invite to experience Melbourne Museum’s collections and a special program of themed talks, tours and activities.
Learn something new about decoding the universe with our line-up of museum experts and let your hair down with friends, food, drinks, activities and a DJ until late.
Digital Art Class: Instruments of Discovery
Tuesday 12 August | Ticketed | For adults and teens 16+
What do microscopes, telescopes, and curious gadgets of the past have in common – and how can they inspire your next digital masterpiece?
In Digital Art Class: Instruments of Discovery, you’ll explore the fascinating tools scientists use to decode the universe – from microscopes and telescopes to curious gadgets of the past. Set in a digital immersive space, this workshop blends creativity and science as you learn digital art skills on iPad Pros using Procreate to draw from real museum objects.
Tiny Tours: Ant to Apple and Whale to Tail
11, 13 and 15 August from 11am each day | Ticketed | Developed for early year audiences aged three to five years
Facilitated by learning experts and themed around museum objects that connect children to their world, this 45-minute tour created for early years audiences invites guests to wonder, discover and be amazed.
SCIENCEWORKS
Growing the Future
Saturday 9 August, Sunday 10 August, Saturday 16 August and Sunday 17 August | Included with museum entry
Plant seeds for the future at one of our nationwide community science sessions inside the geodesic dome in the Scienceworks Arena.
Explore how plants will grow in the environments of tomorrow – from cutting-edge hydroponics to growing food in space. Discover the science behind space agriculture and create your own one-of-a-kind hydroponic mini garden to decorate and take home.
Planetarium Nights
Friday 15 August | Ticketed event for adults 18+
The Melbourne Planetarium reawakens after hours for adults with a stellar line-up of fulldome film screenings. At 7.30pm enjoy Ticket to the Universe, a guided tour of our vast and incredible Universe in this entirely presenter-led show – you will travel through the most complete and accurate 3D atlas of the Universe ever made.
Then at 9pm, experience Pink Floyd’s iconic Dark Side of the Moon in the planetarium through the music set to visuals. Each song has a different theme; some futuristically looking forward and some a retro acknowledgment to Pink Floyd’s visual history, all relating to a time and space experience, embracing up to the minute technology that only a Planetarium can offer. A truly immersive and all-encompassing surround sound and visual treat that will transcend reality and take you way beyond the realms of 2D experience.
Science Studio
Saturday 9 August | Ticketed event that includes museum entry | For ages 6+
Together, families explore concepts of static electricity, forces, sound and density through active experimentation and discovery. Using everyday materials, this workshop is designed to make science fun and accessible to kids and families. The experiments are easy to replicate, and attendees will receive a take-home booklet filled with activity add-ons and extra experiments, encouraging learners to continue their scientific inquiry and exploration beyond the museum walls.
IMAX MELBOURNE
DEEP SKY: WEBB TELESCOPE
Limited session on 9 & 10 August
Experience the high-stakes global mission to build the James Webb Space Telescope and to launch it into orbit one-million miles from Earth, revealing the universe as we’ve never seen it before. DEEP SKY immerses audiences in the stunning pictures beamed back to earth by NASA’s new telescope, capturing their vast beauty at a scale that can only be experienced on the giant IMAX screen.
National Science Week 2025
Dates: Saturday 9 to Sunday 17 August
Tickets: https://museumsvictoria.com.au/national-science-week/
About the Author
Adrian Gunning Adrian lives in Melbourne Australia and has a huge passion for gaming, technology and pop culture. He recently finished his a Bachelor of Journalism and is currently focusing on games journalism. When not writing and playing video games, Adrian can be found in Comics 'R' Us debating the pros of the DC Universe and cons of the Marvel Universe.
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