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
11 - 13 August 2025
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
Presented by Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and the Australian Museum
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, 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 or Science Talks for Secondary students 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 one of the following science shows as part of the program.
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 11 August 2025.
Things are not always what they seem in this eye-opening show featuring improbable biology, fascinating physics tricks, staggering space science, and incredible chemical reactions. A fun-filled show jam-packed with laughs and audience participation!
For bookings on Tuesday 12 August 2025.
Interactive STEM Workshops (Primary)
Students will attend one of the following workshops at either the Australian Museum or Botanic Gardens of Sydney.
For bookings on Monday 11 or Tuesday 12 August 2025.
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.
Led by an Australian Museum First Nations educator, students will learn about native plants from around NSW and other parts of Australia, the uses of these plants and the cultural significance they have to First Nations Peoples. Students will learn about different weaving techniques used to make baskets, nets and carriers, and will engage in hands on activities and games that introduce the skill and complex knowledge of this traditional practice. Students will take home the woven bracelet they make during the session.
Although they are only pint-sized, insects and other invertebrates are the most diverse and important groups of animals on the planet. Insects provide essential ecosystem services such as pollination, seed dispersal, biological control recycling and provision of nutrients, and are crucial to our own survival. This activity explores the physical and behavioural features of invertebrates, and investigates the ecosystem services that they provide. Students will use stereo microscopes and magnifying glasses to observe insects and learn about how to identify them. This hands-on workshop is facilitated by the University of New England.
Fibonacci numbers are nature’s favourite. Join us at the Gardens as we explore this ‘Golden Number’ amongst the beautiful landscape and use natural materials to create a beautiful pattern of the golden spiral.
Can you connect the dots to link seasonal aspects of our environment to people, places and plants? In this fun hands-on activity, explore the secret language of nature and how it talks to First Nations people!
Science Talks: Languages of Nature (Secondary)
Our Science Talks align with the 2025 National Science Week theme Decoding the Universe - Exploring the unknown with nature's hidden language. Featuring scientists from the Australian Museum Research Institute, Botanic Gardens of Sydney, University of Technology, Sydney and University of New England, your students will learn about how nature informs us about our past, present and future.
For bookings on Wednesday 13 August 2025, students will attend one of the following Science Talks.
Scientists look to nature to uncover evidence of climate change and its profound impacts. Hear from Sydney-based scientists about how shifting environments affect species survival and how this vital research informs our strategies to address a changing world.
Speakers include Dr Fred Saltre, Research Scientist from the Climate Solutions Centre, Australian Museum; and Dr Andrew Thornhill, Director of the NCW Beadle Herbarium, University of New England.
Delve into how past extinctions and species adaptations have shaped the biodiversity we see today. Hear how scientists use lessons from evolution to guide us in understanding our present and protecting our future.
Speakers include Dr Jacqueline Nguyen, Scientific Officer in Ornithology, Australian Museum; and Dr Heidi Kolkert, Lecturer and Collections Manager, Natural History Museum, University of New England.
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 13 August 2025.
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.
Be a forensic investigator and use scientific applications to solve crimes. In this interactive workshop, you will learn how to dust and collect fingerprints, analyse blood spatter, test for drugs and collect evidence, with the aim of building a solid case for the court of law. This interactive workshop is facilitated by the University of Technology Sydney, Faculty of Science.
Flowers are the ultimate communicators. It may not be via words, but their shape, colour, smell, size, abundance and length of flowering time can communicate many messages to us and their pollinators. This workshop explores some of the messages flowers transmit to help understand how ecosystems have survived and changed over time.
String as a physical object can be used for crafting, constructing and instruments, but it also represents connection and unity, complex or simple. Explore how ‘string’ represents First Nations connection to people, places and plants through interactive and hands-on activities.
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 and the University of New England. Wander through our Science Expo stalls and chat citizen science, frogs, fossils, medical research 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.
All students will access the Science Expo as part of the program.
Self-guided Experience
Guide your students through either a gallery at the Australian Museum or try your hand at nature journaling at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney to discover nature up close.
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, including nature journaling activities in the Garden and engaging ways to interact with one of the exhibits at the Australian Museum.
