National Science Week 2023

National Science Week is celebrated every year in Australia all across the nation. Organised by the Australian government's Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, it typically inspires more than 1000 events across the nation, including many in primary schools. This is a perfect week to come together as a school community and celebrate all things science and technology!

The week-long event in August is a good time for your students to learn about the latest scientific research and discoveries and to engage with scientists and other experts in the classroom or on an excursion. Focus on the year's theme, or celebrate your own way with curriculum-aligned science lessons that cover the unit you're already working through.

With the activities and lessons teachers like you do in the primary classroom, National Science Week can inspire the next generation of scientists and promote the understanding and importance of science in shaping our future. Talk about teachers having an impact!

Since it began in 1997, this science-themed event has occurred every August. In 2023, the Australian National Science Week dates are from 12 to 20 August.

That means students will have an entire week to join in on one of the largest science events in the country!

The theme for this event changes every year, opening up new opportunities to get students excited and inspire your classroom activities.

In 2023, the theme will be Innovation: Powering Future Industries. This covers topics across the curriculum and gives students a chance to learn more about AI, renewable energy and sustainability advancements and so much more, while also preparing today's kids to be tomorrow's science leaders of Australia.

According to Ed Husic, Minister for Industry and Science, 'Encouraging more Australians from all corners of our society to enter STEM careers starts with igniting a passion for science in school ...This year’s National Science Week theme invites a conversation about the industries of the future. Our students are shaping that future, and I look forward to their contributions.'

Some of the past themes for National Science Week have also had an eye on the future of science and may give you ideas for your week of classroom activities! Here are just a few of the past themes from more than 25 years of celebrating science:

• Glass: More Than Meets the Eye
• Food: Different by Design
• Deep Blue: Innovations for the Future of Our Oceans
• Destination Moon: More Missions, More Science
• Game Changers and Change Makers
• Future Earth
• Drones, Droids and Robots
• Making Waves: The Science of Light
• Food for our Future: Science Feeding the World
• A Century of Australian Science
• Science Around the World
• The Chemistry of Life
• Celebrating Our Solar System

Wondering what you can do in the classroom to celebrate National Science Week? Here are some ideas:

• Why not have students come dressed up as scientists and set up a science-themed photo booth in the classroom?
• Set up science stations where students learn about different science themes. This year, to fit the 2023 Science Week theme, you could set up activities for refraction of light using different glass objects or explore the ways technology is making Australians more sustainable with innovations that will carry us into the future.
• Encourage your students to brainstorm their own future innovations in a school science fair with their own ideas for fighting climate change or improving medicine.
• Use some science-themed classroom decorations to set up a display for National Science Week.
• Spend each afternoon of the week following the scientific method and conducting science experiments for the classroom.