Sydney Science Trail

Celebrate National Science Week with an adventure full of family-friendly science programs and excursions for primary and secondary students, presented in collaboration with the Australian Museum.

Location

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Australian Museum and Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan

Date

15 - 22 August 2026

Contact

9231 8134

Send an email

Sydney Science Trail is back this August!

Celebrate National Science Week with a jam-packed program of school excursions for primary and secondary students and family-friendly community days.

This annual program from Botanic Gardens of Sydney, the Australian Museum and their partners is an opportunity for curious kids of all ages and schools to think, talk and experience the science conducted at our organisations – from the study of the natural world and research into the effects of climate change, to exploration of the environmental knowledges of First Nations peoples. Sydney Science Trail provides access to a broad range of sciences.

School Excursions

Get your school involved with National Science Week at the Sydney Science Trail, live at the Australian Museum and Royal Botanic Garden Sydney this August.

Now in its seventh year, Sydney Science Trail offers an engaging program of full-day excursions for primary and secondary students in Stages 2 - 6 and explores the important role science plays in our lives.

Easily accessible by public transport or designated bus drop off/pick up locations.

Program overview

Primary students (years 3-6): Monday 17 or Tuesday 18 August
Secondary students (years 7-11): Wednesday 19, Thursday 20 or Friday 21 August
Diverse learners* (years 3 -11): Monday 17 or Tuesday 18 August
Diverse learners* (years 7 - 11): Wednesday 19 August

*For groups requiring a more flexible timetable or higher educator to student ratios, such as home-school groups, support classes, EAL/D students or students with diverse needs.

Inclusion Statement: Everybody is welcome at Sydney Science Trail. It is OK to be authentically yourself. Please let us know if there is anything we can do that helps to make you feel more comfortable. Everyone is welcome to use their own strategies to help them feel engaged and relaxed.

Sessions

Program entry includes four activity sessions between 9.30am and 2.30pm across both Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and Australian Museum sites.

The four sessions include:

Science Show (primary days and Thursday only for secondary students); or Scientist Talks (secondary students Wednesday and Friday only) at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Science Expo at the Australian Museum
Interactive STEM Workshop at the Australian Museum or the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Teacher-led experience at either the Australian Museum or the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

Cost

$25 per student (incl. GST)

Program overview

Science Show Primary School Days

Students will be delighted and amazed by this live action science show filled with loads of fun and sure to increase student engagement in STEM.

STEM Workshop Primary School Days

Your students will participate in one of our bespoke 50min hands-on workshops. Workshop themes include first nations culture, climate solutions and seed science.

Scientist Talks Secondary School Days (Wednesday and Friday only)

The Scientist Talks bring together leading scientific researchers, giving students an opportunity to hear from the experts on this year’s National Science Week theme, Seeds of Science: Nurturing knowledge for all. Includes Q&A.

Science Show Secondary School Day (Thursday only)

Aligning with a range of science topics from the NSW Syllabus, the science show will entertain your students while supporting their understanding of scientific concepts.

STEM Workshop Secondary School Days

Led by experienced educators, these hands-on workshops incorporate the General Capabilities for Years 7 - 11 with authentic STEM experiences.

Science Expo (All days)

Wander through our Science Expo stalls and chat citizen science, frogs, fossils, medical research and more – even ask our scientists about their career paths.

Teacher-led Experience (All days)

Guide your students through a gallery at the Australian Museum or amongst the living plant collections at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Teacher resources provided.

What teachers are saying about Sydney Science Trail

" The expo was fantastic, lots of hands on activities that even our less keen Science students were engaged in. It was also very informative for our students that are interested in pursuing Science in the future. "

" The hands-on workshops were an excellent resource to our students' learning."

" This year is our second year and the students absolutely loved the experience and engaged well. "

"Hands on activity on native orchid conservation were great...... gave an insight into how amazing science is as well as how cool a science career can be. A varied and fantastic experience."

“Very engaging and informative. Opened up some of the possibilities available to students and exposed them to new technologies and some of the amazing things happening in the science world.”

“This is an excellent opportunity for our students to attend. They absolutely loved it this year!”

“....the talks given by the research scientists were interesting and well received by our students, who would not otherwise probably ever get to talk to a scientist researcher.”

Bookings now open

Our popular schools program sold out in 2025, so get in early to secure your place!

Book the Primary Program

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Book the Secondary Program

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Book the Diverse Learners Program

The Science Social

An Evening of Connection

5.30pm – 8.30pm, Wednesday 19 August

Brought to you by the Australian Museum and Botanic Gardens of Sydney, the Sydney Science Trail presents a special after-hours event at the Australian Museum to bring together the science community for an evening to forge new connections and celebrate scientific innovation.

Enjoy live music, pop-up exhibits including the Science Expo, and drinks as you catch up with your peers, researchers, and experts from leading organisations to hear first-hand about their work and what's in store for the science community.

This is a free event for all science enthusiasts.

Registrations will open in June. To be the first to know, sign up for the Australian Museum and Botanic Gardens mailing list.

Family Community Days

Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan: Saturday 22 August

Adventure to the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan on Saturday 22 August for a free interactive program of science talks, nature experiences and hands-on activities.

Save the date for this celebration of all things science!

Australian Museum: Saturday 15 August

Join us for a family-friendly science festival at the Australian Museum as we kick off National Science Week on Saturday 15 August 2025.

Explore the famous Sydney Science Trail Expo full of interactive stalls where you can meet scientists and get hands-on with science and technology – it's a kids STEM bonanza!

Stay tuned for more details and registration opening in July.