What is happening at UOW during 2026 National Science Week
Join us for a range of events and activities across numerous campuses and - of course - at UOW Science Space.
- NSW Launch of 2026 National Science Week: Science & Country
- Science Week at Early Start Discovery Space
- Allan Sefton Memorial Lecture
- Manufacturing the Future
- Live ABC Illawarra Radio Broadcasts – UOW Wollongong
- The National Marie Curie Lecture
- Science on the South Coast - UOW Eurobodalla
- Science on the South Coast - UOW Shoalhaven
NSW Launch of 2026 National Science Week: Science & Country
Hosted by Inspiring Australia NSW and the University of Wollongong
Officially launched by The Hon. Paul Scully MP, NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces and Member for Wollongong.
When: Tuesday, 11 August | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm AEST
Where: UOW Science Space, North Wollongong
Cost: Free (Registration required)
Join us at UOW Science Space for the official NSW launch of National Science Week 2026! This inspiring evening explores how First Nations wisdom and Western scientific research come together to deepen our understanding of the natural world.
What to expect on the night:
- Panel discussion: Hosted by Emily Jateff (Chair of Inspiring NSW), leading UOW researchers will discuss Aboriginal ways of knowing, being, and doing, and share collaborative insights into sunlight, body clocks, UV science, and sun safety.
- Bush tucker & networking: Connect with speakers and attendees while enjoying complimentary local bush tucker-inspired canapés.
- Interactive exhibits & planetarium: Explore Science Space exhibits and experience The Earth Above: A Deep Time View of Australia's Epic History—an immersive Planetarium feature combining deep time history with First Nations knowledge.
Places are free, but registration is required to attend.
Science Week at Early Start Discovery Space
When: Tuesday, 11 August, 2026, 10:00 am
Where: Early Start Discovery Space - Building 21 University of Wollongong, Northfields Ave, Wollongong NSW 2500
Cost: FREE with paid entry to Early Start Discovery Space
Build curiosity of science through fizzing bicarb and vinegar reactions and more hands-on science-based play.
Allan Sefton Memorial Lecture
Date: Tuesday, 18 August, 2026, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Location: Lecture Theatre 1, Building 20 and online via Webex, University of Wollongong
The Allan Sefton Memorial Lecture is held annually and is named in honour of the late Allan Sefton, who was well-known as a naturalist and conservator of the environment. The Lecture is a public occasion where a distinguished Australian scientist or environmental advocate speaks on a topic of wide environmental interest.
This year the Guest Lecturer is Emeritus Professor Colin Woodroffe, who will deliver a lecture on ‘Rising Sea Level and Resilient Coasts’.
There will be light refreshments at the conclusion of the lecture
Manufacturing the Future
When: Tuesday, 18 August, 2026, 4.30 pm
Where: Science Space
Australia's manufacturing jobs of the future will be based on the scientific discoveries of today.
UOW research and training have underpinned advances in manufacturing in the Illawarra since its inception, over 50 years ago and is well placed to lead the current revolution.
Based on discoveries in UOW research, new manufacturing industries in the energy sector have emerged, Hysata (manufacturing electrolysers to generate green hydrogen) and Sicona (manufacturing new electrodes to recharge the battery world).
A new manufacturing opportunity is emerging, bioengineered products to meet critical medical challenges. The University of Wollongong is leading the establishment of a national network to enable pilot scale manufacturing of bioengineered products for first-in-human (FIH) trials.
These exciting breakthroughs will be presented by UOW early-mid career researchers (EMCRs) who are playing a crucial role in building these new manufacturing industries in the Illawarra.
Come along to celebrate science and the jobs of the future.
ABC Radio Illawarra Live Broadcast - Mornings with Nick Rheinberger
When: Wednesday, 18 August, 2026: 8.30 am - 11.30 am
Where: Come along and join us in-person at Wollongong campus between the library and building 20 (Panizzi café) or listen live via 97.3FM, ABC Illawarra online or the ABC Listen App.
Cost: Free | Open to all students, staff, and community members
To celebrate National Science Week, ABC Illawarra Mornings with Nick Rheinberger is broadcasting live right from the heart of the UOW campus!
Whether you pop in between classes, drop by during your morning coffee break, or tune in on your radio, this is your backstage pass to world-changing research and science education happening right here at Wollongong.
What’s on the air & on campus
- Live campus Interviews: Hear directly from UOW academics, research students, and professional staff across a fascinating range of topics—from cognitive testing and quantum chemistry to human composting, rare escarpment flora, and marine life like whales and dolphins.
- Behind-the-scenes Lab Tours: Listen in on Nick’s visits to UOW research laboratories, giving you an exclusive look at the latest advances in molecular biology and isotope chemistry.
- Join the Atmosphere: Grab a coffee or bite to eat from Panizzi Café, pull up a spot at the picnic tables in the sun, and enjoy the live radio energy in person.
Bring your curiosity and join us on campus or tune in live to discover how UOW research is making a real-world difference!
The National Marie Curie Lecture
When: Wednesday, 19 August, 2026 - Doors Open: 6.00 pm. Lecture begins: 6.30 pm
Where: UOW Science Space, Puckey Avenue, Innovation Campus, University of Wollongong
Painting the Universe: A visual & musical exploration of space-time
What if you could listen to the cosmos? In 2017, the Universe spoke through both light and gravitational waves—marking a brand-new era of astronomy.
Join us for The National Marie Curie Lecture, presented by the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) and UOW, featuring 2026 AIP Women in Physics Lecturer Dr Karelle Siellez (University of Tasmania).
In this captivating public lecture, Dr Siellez—a Breakthrough Prize-winning astrophysicist and science communicator—weaves together sound, art, and astrophysics to reveal the story of gravitational wave collisions and the origin of the elements that make up our world. Discover how "multi-messenger" signals like kilonovae and gamma-ray bursts tell the cosmos's most dramatic stories, and why protecting the silence of space connects science, nature, and our shared humanity.
Don't miss this journey blending scientific discovery with creative expression. Space is limited
Science on the South Coast - UOW Eurobodalla
When: Friday, 21 August, 2026, 2:45 pm - 4:45 pm
Where: UOW Eurobodalla, 1 Hanging Rock Place, Batemans Bay
Explore the University of Wollongong Eurobodalla campus as it transforms into a hub of science activities.
This is a free event and all are welcome. There is something for all ages and interests. Spend the afternoon exploring hands-on interactive science stations where everyone can experiment and discover freely. There will be anatomy displays, physics activities, simulations in the Nursing facilities and the Fire and Ice science show delivered by the UOW Science Space.
Science on the South Coast - UOW Shoalhaven
When: Saturday, 22 August, 2026 - 10 am - 3 pm
Where: UOW Shoalhaven, George Evans Rd, West Nowra
Explore the University of Wollongong Shoalhaven campus as it transforms into a hub of science activities. This is a free event and all are welcome. There is something for all ages and interests.
Come along to:
- See UOW Motorsport’s latest Formula-style EV
- Attend the captivating live showcase: The best of UOW Science Space.
- Launch a rocket
- Meet some reptiles with the Dragon Training mobile zoo
- Tour the on-site observatory and look through a telescope
- Look at and hold anatomy models of body parts
- Test dummy patients in medicine and nursing
- See your muscles move via ultrasound
- Experience sensory anatomical models for those with low/no vision
Our cafe will be open and there will be a food van will be on campus selling food and drink