National Science Week 2026 will be celebrated across Australia from 15–23 August 2026, providing educators with the perfect opportunity to inspire curiosity through hands-on science, STEM and inquiry-based learning. Learn more about the official events, resources and activities on the National Science Week website.

This year's schools' theme, "Seeds of Science: Nurturing knowledge for all," encourages educators to foster curiosity and inquiry. More information and classroom resources are available from the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA).

Whether children are investigating magnets, building towers, observing insects or experimenting with water flow, they're developing the curiosity and critical thinking skills that form the foundation of lifelong learning.

At EDU-21, we believe science is most powerful when children can explore, question, create and discover through play.

Why National Science Week Matters

National Science Week is Australia's largest annual celebration of science. It encourages schools, early learning centres, OSHC services and families to engage children in meaningful scientific exploration while highlighting the important role science plays in our everyday lives.

Science experiences help children develop:

Curiosity and confidence
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Observation and communication skills
Creativity and innovation
Persistence and resilience
Collaboration and teamwork

These skills align beautifully with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the Australian Curriculum, making science an engaging way to integrate literacy, numeracy, engineering, technology and creative thinking.

10 National Science Week Activity Ideas

1. Walking Water Rainbow

Explore capillary action using cups, coloured water and paper towels.

Learning: Observation, prediction and colour mixing.

2. Sink or Float Investigation

Invite children to predict which classroom objects will sink or float before testing their ideas.

Resources: Water trays, loose parts, natural materials.

3. Build a Strong Bridge

Challenge children to design a bridge using construction materials that can support the greatest weight.

Learning: Engineering, design thinking and teamwork.

4. Nature Detectives

Collect leaves, flowers, bark and seeds before sorting them by size, colour, texture or shape.

Perfect for introducing scientific observation.

5. Marble Run Experiments

Can children build the fastest marble run?

Experiment with different heights, slopes and pathways while exploring gravity and motion.

6. Magnetic Discovery Station

Investigate which classroom objects are magnetic and discuss why.

Children love making predictions before testing.

7. Colour Mixing Laboratory

Using pipettes, water droppers or paint, encourage children to experiment with primary colours to discover secondary colours.

8. Shadow Scientists

Measure shadows at different times throughout the day and predict how they will change.

Great for outdoor learning.

9. Growing Seeds

Plant seeds in different conditions and observe how sunlight, water and temperature affect growth.

A wonderful way to connect with this year's theme, "Seeds of Science: Nurturing knowledge for all."

10. Water Engineering Challenge

Using funnels, tubing and water channels, encourage children to design systems that move water from one location to another.

Excellent for collaborative STEM learning.

Looking for even more inspiration? Explore our blog, 10 Hands-On Science Experiments That Actually Work in the Classroom, for additional easy-to-run investigations that encourage curiosity, critical thinking and scientific discovery.

STEM Resources That Inspire Discovery

The best STEM resources don't provide all the answers—they encourage children to ask more questions.

Some educator favourites include:

These resources support repeated investigation and encourage children to think creatively while developing confidence through experimentation.

Science Through Play

Children learn science naturally through play.

Every tower they build, every bridge they test and every question they ask develops important scientific inquiry skills.

Encouraging children to:

Predict
Observe
Test
Record
Improve

helps develop the habits of real scientists while making learning exciting and meaningful.

Remember—there isn't always a "right" answer.

Sometimes the greatest learning comes from discovering why something didn't work.

Celebrate Curiosity This National Science Week

National Science Week reminds us that science isn't confined to laboratories.

It's found in every splash of water, every block tower, every magnifying glass and every curious question.

By creating environments that encourage exploration, experimentation and creativity, educators help children develop confidence, resilience and a lifelong love of learning.

This August, celebrate National Science Week by planting the seeds of curiosity that will continue to grow long after the week has finished.

Continue Exploring STEM with EDU-21

Keep the learning going with more ideas and inspiration from our blogs:

Explore STEM Resources at EDU-21

Whether you're planning National Science Week activities, refreshing your STEM learning space or looking for resources that encourage inquiry-based learning throughout the year, EDU-21 has you covered.

Explore our extensive range of STEM resources, construction kits, science equipment, magnifiers, engineering activities and sensory exploration tools designed specifically for Australian schools, early learning centres, OSHC services and specialist education settings.

Because every great scientist starts with curiosity.

National Science Week 2026: Planting the Seeds of Scientific Discovery