National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology, and there are plenty of fun, family-friendly events happening right here in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter.
Running from 15 to 23 August 2026, the week includes hands-on activities, workshops and exhibitions designed to spark curiosity in kids and teens. Explore what’s on near you and make science part of your week.
National Science Week at a Glance
- 5 August — The 2026 Einstein Lecture: Does God Play Dice?
- 7 August — Tim Entwisle AO: Evergreen – A Botanical Life
- 7 – 30 August — YOU ARE A UNIVERSE: Ryan Wild – Exhibition
- 8 August — YOU ARE A UNIVERSE: Ryan Wild – Opening Event
- 15 August — Felt Animal Mask Making | Hunter Combat Robotics Tournament Round 4 | Youth Artisan Market | Wacky Works: The Science of Making, Engineering and Invention Show | Creature Creations: Electric Critters Workshop
- 17 August — Fabulous Fungi and Hidden Physics
- 21 August — Annual Marie Curie Lecture: Painting the Universe
- 22 August — Celebration of Science at Singleton Public Library
- 23 August — Hunter Science Festival
National Science Week Events
The 2026 Einstein Lecture: Does God Play Dice?
In the lead up to National Science Week, join in the annual Einstein Lecture, presented in the Hunter region for the first time. A free public physics talk pitched at older kids, teens and curious adults, with theoretical astrophysicist Dr Luke Barnes tackling chance, randomness and the universe.
Date: Wednesday 5 August 2026
Time: 6 – 7.30pm
Location: Warners Bay Theatre, 26 Lake Street, Warners Bay
Age Group: Best suited to teens and adults
Cost: Free, bookings required
Website
Tim Entwisle AO: Evergreen – A Botanical Life
Botany buffs and curious teens will enjoy this evening lecture from renowned botanist Tim Entwisle AO, who has led botanic gardens in Sydney, Melbourne and Kew, London. It’s a lecture format best suited to older kids and adults with an interest in plants and science, followed by a Q&A session.
Date: Friday 7 August 2026
Time: Doors 5.30pm, lecture begins 6pm (finishes around 9pm)
Location: CT202 Lecture Theatre, University of Newcastle, Callaghan
Age Group: Best for older kids, teens and adults
Cost: Adults $20, Children $5
Website
YOU ARE A UNIVERSE: Ryan Wild – Exhibition
An immersive 360 degree projection experience that takes audiences on a poetic journey through the solar system, blending astronomy, mythology and reflection. A lovely one for families keen on something a bit different and thought provoking, with striking visuals and sound design.
Date: Friday 7 August – Sunday 30 August 2026
Time: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 9am to 2pm
Location: Multi-Arts Pavilion (MAP mima), 96 Creek Reserve Road, Speers Point
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
YOU ARE A UNIVERSE: Ryan Wild – Opening Event
Join Lake Mac Arts and Culture for the opening of YOU ARE A UNIVERSE, an emotional encounter with the cosmos, encouraging curiosity, wonder, and appreciation. Created specifically for MAP mima as part of National Science Week 2025, YOU ARE A UNIVERSE is an immersive 360-degree projection experience that invites audiences on a poetic journey through the solar system and beyond.
Date: Saturday 8 August 2026
Time: 12 – 2pm
Location: Multi-Arts Pavilion (MAP mima), 96 Creek Reserve Road, Speers Point
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free, bookings appreciated | Bar and snacks available.
Website
Felt Animal Mask Making at Maker-Con 26
A lovely hands-on session for kids who love getting creative with colour and design. Little ones choose a pre-cut felt animal shape then decorate, layer and build their own wearable mask to take home, with all materials supplied.
Date: Saturday 15 August 2026
Time: Sessions at 9am–9.30am, 10.30am–11am, and 2.30pm–3pm
Location: Lake Mac Libraries Fab Lab, 20 Lake Street, Windale
Age Group: Suitable for all ages (children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult)
Cost: $10, bookings required
Website
Hunter Combat Robotics Tournament Round 4
Watch custom-built antweight robots battle it out in fast-paced, action-packed bouts, or enter your own bot to compete. It’s a great school holiday outing for kids into robotics, engineering or just a bit of high-energy spectacle.
Date: Saturday 15 August 2026
Time: 9am, expected to finish by 4pm depending on entries
Location: Windale Hub, bilyabayi, 20 Lake Street, Windale
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
Youth Artisan Market at Maker-Con 26
Browse original creations from young makers aged 12 to 24, from craft and art to clothing and digitally fabricated pieces. A nice one for supporting local young talent while picking up a one-of-a-kind gift.
Date: Saturday 15 August 2026
Time: 9am – 4pm
Location: Lake Mac Libraries Fab Lab, 20 Lake Street, Windale
Age Group: All ages welcome to browse; stallholders aged 12–24
Cost: Free
Website
Wacky Works: The Science of Making, Engineering and Invention Show
A high-energy live science show from Fizzics Education, packed with quirky experiments, clever contraptions and plenty of “how did that happen” moments. Great fun for families, with lots of audience participation.
Date: Saturday 15 August 2026
Time: Sessions at 9.30 – 10.30am and 1 – 2pm
Location: Windale Hub, bilyabayi, 20 Lake Street, Windale
Age Group: Suitable for all ages (children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult)
Cost: $8 per child + booking fee, accompanying adults free
Website
Creature Creations: Electric Critters Workshop
A fun, hands-on introduction to electronics for kids, where little ones build their own light-up creature using conductive tape, LEDs, googly eyes and craft bits and pieces. A gentle way to explore simple circuits while making something to take home.
Date: Saturday 15 August 2026
Time: Sessions at 11.30am–12pm, 12.30pm–1pm and 1.30pm–2pm
Location: Lake Mac Libraries Fab Lab, 20 Lake Street, Windale
Age Group: Suitable for all ages (children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult)
Cost: $10 + booking fee
Website
Fabulous Fungi and Hidden Physics
In autumn across the Hunter region, colourful and strange mushrooms pop up, each lasting for a few hours or a few days. Some of them even glow in the dark! The hidden physics behind the glow and the spreading of mushroom spores will be explored in this talk. Join for fun trivia, stunning pictures, and time to ask questions and meet the speaker, Dr Karen Livesey.
Date: Monday 17 August 2026
Time: 6 – 7.45pm (doors open 6pm, lecture from 6.15pm, meet and greet 7.15)
Location: Newcastle Museum, 6 Workshop Way, Newcastle
Age Group: 8+
Cost: $10 for adults, free for under 18s
Website
Annual Marie Curie Lecture: Painting the Universe
This one’s aimed a little older, with astrophysicist Dr Karelle Siellez blending sound, art and science to explain gravitational waves and cosmic collisions, best suited to curious high schoolers rather than young kids. You can attend in person or follow along via livestream from home. The Marie Curie Lecture tour from the Australian Institute of Physics is in its 29th year this year! Newcastle is lucky to be one of the stops.
Date: Friday 21 August 2026
Time: 6 – 7.45pm (doors open 6pm, lecture from 6:30pm)
Location: Newcastle Museum, 6 Workshop Way, Newcastle
Age Group: This talk is suitable for ages 8+
Cost: $10 for adults, free for under 18s in person; online livestream free (registration required)
Website
Celebration of Science at Singleton Public Library
Discover, learn and play at Singleton Library’s community science day! With special guests Starr’s Planetarium, the University of Newcastle’s SMART Team and access to their very own STREAM resources, celebrate science in a fun and interactive way, all day.
Date: Saturday 22 August 2026
Time: 9am – 2pm
Location: Singleton Public Library, 8-10 Queen Street, Singleton
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free, but registration recommended
Website
Hunter Science Festival
Learn about science at the 2026 Hunter Science Festival. It’s a fun free event for everyone from young children to adults. Packed with hands-on science stalls, stage shows and quirky experiences like the HMRI Poo Palace jumping castle! This year’s festival gets a new outdoor stage so families can see every science show without the usual squeeze, plus over thirty returning stalls and a heap of new free experiences for kids and adults. See performances from Fizzics Education, The Bubble Laboratory, The Pretty Amazing Jono and the HMRI Poo Palace researchers throughout the day.
Date: Sunday 23 August 2026
Time: 10am – 3pm
Location: Newcastle Museum, 6 Workshop Way, Newcastle
Age Group: All ages
Cost: Free
Website
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Learn About Science at the Hunter Science Festival at Newcastle Museum