This National Science Week, we’re acknowledging the 2026 theme, “Seeds of Science: Nurturing knowledge for all” by celebrating the ideas, facilities and people that help scientific knowledge flourish with a series of activities.
The week also coincides with the 20th anniversary of OPAL first achieving criticality, recognising how the foundations of nuclear science, from Enrico Fermi’s first sustained fission reaction in 1942, grew into specialised research reactors such as OPAL that continue to advance science, medical outcomes and innovation today.
Our reactor empowers scientific investigations by supplying neutrons to the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering that benefit health, the environment, advanced materials for energy and resources and industrial applications.
“Our activities this week reinforce the power of science to improve our world through knowledge, the development of advanced technologies and ensuring all kids have the opportunity to experience its wonder and impact,” said Rod Dowler, National Education and Engagement Leader.
Our activities to support National Science Week in 2026 include:
ANSTO is announcing the Think Science! Competition Winners, a nationwide science competition for Years 3-10 that challenges student teams to conduct a scientific investigation and present their findings in a video, with over $10,000 in prizes to be won. We received 229 entries from all States and the NT. The winning students have conducted great experiments and produced informative and entertaining videos. We encourage you to check out their findings when they are announced on ANSTO’s Socials starting next Monday.
Eighteen deaf and hard of hearing young people aged 12-17 from around Australia are participating in ANSTO’s The Deaf Youth Science Camp (13 – 16 August), a fun 4-day immersive science experience. Held at ANSTO at Lucas Heights, Sydney, the camp is a mix of hands-on science activities, outdoor activities and excursions to nearby science centres.
The campers will build and launch rockets, learn about the science of fire, see dinosaur fossils and visit the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering and OPAL, Australia’s only nuclear reactor. Participants, their families and the public are invited to Auslan-interpreted community careers Q&A panel with Deaf STEM professionals at 11:00am on Sunday 16 August. Entry is free and you can register on arrival.
Indigenous Science Experience @ Redfern Community Day. ANSTO joins other science organisations and educators at a special day on 22 August to showcase
science to Indigenous kids and their families for the second year in row. ANSTO will be highlighting the space science it supports at the Centre for Accelerator Science. We will explore the impact of radiation in space and measures to anticipate and minimise its impact. Activities include Lego building of an Artemis rocket and the Hubble Space Telescope. Star constellation modelling for younger kids. It will include links to Indigenous Sky knowledge.
As the 20th Anniversary of the time that the OPAL, multi-purpose reactor achieved criticality occurs in National Science Week, ANSTO is showcasing its many contributions in a Disruptive Science Online webinar.
In this special ANSTO webinar, in association with Refraction Media, we’ll share insights into the many ways OPAL brings benefits to Australia, and supports the important work of the International Atomic Energy Agency in the peaceful applications of nuclear technologies
Hear from a distinguished panel including ANSTO CEO Mr Shaun Jenkinson, the Ambassador to Austria Mr Ian Biggs, who is also chairing the International Atomic Energy Agencies Board of Governors, and Rear Admiral Katherine Richards AM CSC, Chief Engineer of Engineers Australia and ANSTO Board Member.
Happy National Science Week and we hope that you can attend one of the hundreds of events happening around Australia during this celebration of STEM.
