Sydney Science Trail Diverse Learners Program
Sydney Science Trail excursions are back this August. Explore the program and book your excursion for National Science Week.
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and Australian Museum
17 - 19 August 2026
9.30am - 2.30pm
Stage 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
$25 per student (incl. gst).
Educators attend free of charge.
Science for curious kids
With live on-site activities spread across Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and the Australian Museum, workshops with hands-on approaches to learning and thrilling stage shows or the option of topical scientist talks, the sessions deliver fun and inspiring science in smaller group sizes and with more support for students to learn at their own pace.
The diverse learners program is designed for groups or families requiring a more flexible timetable or higher educator-to-student ratios, such as home school groups, support classes, EAL/D students or any group with students with diverse needs.
Don't miss out on this celebration of science! Explore the full excursion program and book your spot now.
Program overview
Sessions
Entry includes four different sessions across the day:
- Science Show for Primary Days or Scientist Talks for Secondary Day at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
- Science Expo at the Australian Museum
- Interactive STEM Workshop 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
Structure
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
Science Shows (Primary)
Students will attend the Great Big Science Show, presented by Kaleidoscope Science.
The Great Big Science Show features a variety of spectacular and highly visual demonstrations, including liquid nitrogen, chemical reactions and fireballs - an unforgettable celebration of science. The focus is on maximum excitement with the most energetic and crowd-pleasing demonstrations from across a range of science disciplines. Throughout the show we’ll consider how scientists find out new things by doing experiments, testing predictions then using their knowledge to solve problems, build inventions and create technology. We'll keep the pace and energy high for maximum crowd-pleasing engagement.
For bookings on Monday 17 or Tuesday 18 August 2026.
Interactive STEM Workshops (Primary Days)
Students will attend one of the following workshops at either the Australian Museum or Botanic Gardens of Sydney.
For bookings on Monday 17 or Tuesday 18 August 2026.
Our world is heating up, but we can all help make places that are good to live in. What would you choose to have in a city, town or farm that would make life better? There are lots of ways to tackle climate change and create nature-filled, clean and wonderful places. Come join this hands-on, playful session to get your ideas sparking. Presented by the Climate Solutions Centre, Australian Museum.
Set in the Australian Museum's spectacular Minerals gallery, students explore the building blocks of planet Earth by comparing, describing and identifying real rocks and minerals. They'll investigate how different rocks are formed, discover the special properties of minerals, and put their observation skills to the test hunting for mystery specimens in the gallery!
In Seed Detectives, primary students explore the amazing diversity of seeds and uncover the clever ways they travel—by wind, water, animals, and even explosion! Students will learn how scientists at the SeedBank sort, study, and store seeds to protect Australia’s plant biodiversity. Through hands-on investigation, they’ll look closely at what makes a seed a seed, explore how it grows, and plant one to take home on its own life journey.
Students will explore a culturally significant “dinosaur‑like” plant, learning how it serves as a food source, a reason for gathering, and a cultural meeting place. They will develop an understanding of its importance to First Nations communities and how plant knowledge travels across Country through trade, relationships, and shared cultural practices.
Science Talks: Seeds of Science (Secondary Day)
Our Science Talks align with the 2026 National Science Week theme Seeds of Science: Nurturing knowledge for all. Featuring scientists from the Australian Museum Research Institute, Botanic Gardens of Sydney and University of Technology Sydney, your students will learn how a spark of curiosity can ignite the development of scientific knowledge and concepts that help us understand the world around us.
For school bookings on Wednesday 19 August 2026, students will attend one of the following Science Talks.
Citizen science projects are often based on opportunistic collection of data or evidence from members of the community, but the contribution to science that these initiatives have can be exponential.
Speakers include scientists from the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Australian Museum and University of Technology Sydney.
Scientists across the world are collecting evidence of the impacts of climate change. Hear from leading scientists about their research and how it applies to better understanding one of the biggest challenges of our time - climate change.
Speakers include scientists from the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Australian Museum and University of Technology Sydney.
Scientists ask questions, lots of questions! Learn how innovations in technology or research methods often stem from the need to find scientific solutions to these questions.
Speakers include scientists from the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Australian Museum and University of Technology Sydney.
Science discoveries and collections of the past are often used to inform science for the future. Learn how scientific knowledge evolves as we continuously develop our understanding of the world around us.
Speakers include scientists from the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, Australian Museum and University of Technology Sydney.
Interactive STEM Workshops (Secondary)
Students will attend one of the following workshops at either the Australian Museum or Botanic Gardens of Sydney.
For bookings on Wednesday 19 August 2026.
In this hands-on workshop, students will explore how genetic information is transferred in DNA and watch how it can be extracted for genetic analysis. Students will also learn about the important research conducted in the Australian Museum Research Institute and will complete their own investigation to determine how DNA can be used to compare and identify species.
Become a food scientist and put everyday foods to the test. Students analyse taste perception, compare sugar levels using refractometers, and assess egg freshness—discovering how science ensures food quality, safety, and consistency.
This workshop is presented by University of Technology Sydney.
Become an environmental scientist and investigate the hidden heat around you. Students use infrared thermometers to measure surface temperatures across natural and built environments, compare their findings, and explore how urban design shapes microclimates and environmental impact.
This workshop is presented by University of Technology Sydney.
Seed collections are like tiny time capsules - small, powerful, and packed with the potential for whole forests!
The Botanic Gardens of Sydney plays a key role in preventing plant extinctions by preserving seeds under carefully controlled conditions. In this workshop, students will discover the techniques PlantBank scientists use to store seeds safely and explore the story of an iconic Australian species, building their understanding of conservation in a hands-on and engaging way.
Students jump into a dynamic investigation of the journeys that seeds, stories and knowledge take across Country. By pairing cultural perspectives with scientific thinking, they will uncover surprising links and discover how First Nations knowledge systems open up new ways to understand ecological relationships.
Science Expo at the Australian Museum
Celebrate National Science Week and have your students’ burning questions answered by experts from over 20 research organisations and universities including the University of Technology Sydney. Wander through our Science Expo stalls and chat citizen science, frogs, fossils, marine science and more – even ask our scientists about their career paths. Ignite your students’ love for science by giving them the rare opportunity to touch base with real-life scientists, undertake experiments and get hands-on with cutting-edge innovations in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
All students will access the Science Expo as part of the program.
Teacher-led Experience
Guide your students through either a gallery at the Australian Museum or amongst the living plant collection at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
Teachers will be allocated an explore session at only one venue, depending on which group rotation they are placed in. Optional teacher resources will be available to assist your students.
