The Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA) is excited to announce that National Science Week 2026 will run from Saturday 15 to Sunday 23 August, with the schools theme Seeds of science: Nurturing knowledge for all.

This theme invites students across Australia to explore the power of curiosity, inquiry and shared learning in growing scientific understanding. Just as seeds need the right conditions to grow, knowledge flourishes when it is nurtured, shared and applied to real-world and authentic challenges across all the scientific disciplines.

The theme encourages schools to explore how ideas take root, develop and spread – from the first spark of a question to the sharing of discoveries that benefit the wider community. It’s a celebration of how knowledge grows when tended with care, creativity and collaboration.

‘Seeds of Science is about inspiring the next generation to plant ideas, ask questions and grow innovative and creative solutions,’ said Margaret Shepherd, ASTA President. ‘It’s an invitation for students to see science as a living, evolving process that they can shape and share. There are many scientific concepts that can be investigated through this theme such as biotechnology, agriculture, aquaculture, quantum sensing and nanotechnology.’

Applications for ASTA school grants will open in March 2026  to support National Science Week activities. More details can be found on the National Science Week website.

How do schools get involved?

Apply for a school grant

Schools can apply for up to $500 to help them conduct a National Science Week activity/event. Applications for the 2026 grant round will open in March 2026.

Go to a National Science Week in-person or virtual event

Approximately 1,000 events take place around Australia during National Science Week each year, including those delivered by universities, schools, museums and science centres. Enjoy a range of activities in your region or online at home.

These events attract a wide audience from children to adults, and science amateurs to professionals. Over one million people participate in science events across the nation, with another 160,000 taking part in school activities. Visit the National Science Week website to discover what events are available this year.

Use the National Science Week Schools Resource Book

For National Science Week each year, ASTA produces a teacher resource book to help support and assist teachers in providing engaging science activities for their students.

This is published prior to National Science Week each year to allow teachers an opportunity to research and plan for their Science Week activities.

The book is based, each year, on the National Science Week school theme chosen for that year and is always packed with information, classroom activities, experiments, diagrams, photographs and websites.

These are available free of charge from the National Science Week books and resources page.

How do other organisations/communities get involved?

Get your community involved and hold your own event. More details on how to organise and top tips for can be found on the National Science Week website.

Keep an eye out for the opening of the National Science Week Grants – Queensland Seed Grants on the Inspiring Australia Queensland Website (under News, Events, Grant). You can find details of previous year’s winners and resources for Event Holders.

Inspiring Australia Queensland is poised to grow in ambition and scale to provide greater surety, continuity and long-term strategic planning.  This presents an unprecedented opportunity for businesses and organisations to partner with us and lead the charge in science engagement and participation in Queensland and promote the great science undertaken in our state.

Industry partnerships can support multi-year initiatives, deliver on IAQ’s vision to inspire new audiences and accelerate its impact across education, regional outreach and cross-industry collaboration. Industry partners can also support events and initiatives in their region which focus on specific local priorities as a way of engaging with their communities and schools.