Education Today

You would be hard pressed to complete the Sydney Science Trail in person as it takes the visitor through a massive science journey.

The Trail visits the microverse, takes a deep-dive into underwater robotics onto a scavenger hunt across Australia, into space and live-panel discussions with some of the country’s biggest names in science such as Dr Karl and Tim Flannery.

Starting this National Science Week, for one month (15 August – 15 September), the Australian Museum and the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney are inviting everyone to join the virtual quest.

The Trail features immersive games, live-stream talks, explosive science shows and tours from world-class scientists and researchers.

Discover the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney in The Living Laboratory 360° virtual tour; beam live to the Coral Sea and uncover its mysterious, briny depths with Exploring Unseen Oceans; gain a timely understanding on how bushfires can be both friend and foe in the Australian Fires – Impacts and Opportunities live panel; and become a certified citizen scientist tracking Australia’s Cane Toad population with your smartphone in the Australian Museum’s FrogID.

Kids can also explore natural tucker that has been used by First Nations people for thousands of years with Bush Food Experience, locate real dinosaurs living amongst us with I Spy a Wollemi, go on a local Bush Blitz to discover the native species in their own backyards, and then help protect them from disease and pests in the Biosecurity Warrior interactive video game.

On the Trail, children, and teens, together with their teachers or adult collaborators, will have access to Australian science’s top minds. ABC radio’s Dr Karl Kruszelnicki will host an expert panel tackling The Big Questions of Science; conservationist and former Australian of the Year Tim Flannery will provide unique insight on What does Climate Change Means to You?; and future space cadets can join Australia’s very own engineer for a day at the International Space Station in A Day in the Life of ISS Flight Controller Andrea Boyd.

Australian Museum Director and CEO, Kim McKay AO, said the Sydney Science Trail brings together our leading scientists, partners and organisations to shine a spotlight on how science relates to our everyday lives.

“With a strong focus on climate change, clean oceans and adaptation, we hope to inspire and encourage the next generation of scientists to contribute creative solutions to our global challenges,” McKay said.

Chief Executive of the Botanic Gardens, Greater Sydney, Denise Ora said, “As part of National Science Week, I’m excited that the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is leading the charge in NSW with the Australian Museum by launching the Sydney Science Trail. Our digital- focused school program explores the theme of Adaptation that will transport users to a new learning portal with virtual experiences, exhibitions, workshops, live panels and a diverse range of interactive activities.

According to Prof Hugh Durrant-Whyte, NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, National Science Week highlights how science and technology is improving our world.

“Importantly, it is an opportunity for the community to engage with scientists who are working to solve the pressing problems our society is currently facing,” he said.

“With the world looking to science for answers as we face the ongoing challenge of COVID-19, we are well-positioned to inspire the next generation of innovators to consider pursuing STEM careers. We need their energy, curiosity and ingenuity to tackle challenges in areas as broad as health and medicine, food security and agriculture, resources management, population growth, climate and the environment.

The Sydney Science Trail school program, created in partnership with the NSW Department of Education, explores the theme of adaptation through an immersive, curriculum-linked virtual classroom.

Students can compete against each other in ANSTO’s National Science Week Hackathon, and be inspired by an incredible Women in STEM live panel.

Teachers and home-schooling parents can expand their horizons with professional development courses on topics such as incorporating Indigenous perspectives into lesson plans, harnessing outdoor learning activities and many more.

This initiative is supported by Inspiring Australia as part of National Science Week, an annual celebration that excites the inner scientists in all of us.

Sydney Science Trail is also supported by media partner, ABC Radio Sydney.

Free virtual mission to everywhere for Science Week