Sydney Science Trail Primary Program
Sydney Science Trail excursions are back this August. Explore the program and book your primary school class excursion for National Science Week.
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and Australian Museum
17 - 18 August 2026
9.30am - 2.30pm
Stage 2 and 3
$25 per student (incl. gst).
Minimum charge of 20 students per booked group applies.
Teachers attend free of charge.
Science for curious kids
The Sydney Science Trail is back this August!
Bring the wow to your students’ learning at our primary school science education day. Featuring live on-site activities, workshops with fun, hands-on approaches to learning and thrilling stage shows, the Sydney Science Trail delivers a program they won’t be able to stop talking about.
Don't miss out on this celebration of science! Explore the full excursion program and book your spot now.
Program overview
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 at the Royal Botanic Garden
- Science Expo at the Australian Museum
- Interactive STEM Workshop at either the Australian Museum or the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
- Teacher-led 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 Show
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.
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.
Interactive STEM Workshop
Students will attend one of the following workshops at either the Australian Museum or Botanic Gardens of Sydney.
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!
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.
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.
Teacher-led Experience
Guide your students through either a gallery at the Australian Museum or amongst the living plant collections 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.
