National Science Week officially kicks off today. Communities right around the country have begun to run an impressive array of science events for the public. And we really mean *right around* the country.

We have Science Week events taking place in all sorts of locations across the breadth and width of our nation. Opportunities to ‘get your science on’ are popping up everywhere, stretching well beyond major city locations to engage audiences in towns as well as rural, regional and remote communities in every electorate across Australia.

From coast to coast, up mountain, down dale, within the red centre, through diverse forests, under salty seas, in urban laneways, on tropical beaches and across farm lands, Science Week is everywhere! We’ve even got events taking place in our coldest most southern territory – Antarctica!

You can take part in Science Week on Flinders and King Islands off the coast of Tasmania to Nhulunbuy in Northeast Arnhem Land, in the goldfields of Kalgoorlie to the saltmarshes of the Eyre Peninsula, in the cultural institutions of the ACT to the bee gardens of Beechworth and amongst the mist of the Blue Mountains to the humidity of Cairns.

Here’s just a snapshot of some of the spread of events you can find during this year’s festival!

Marvels of Magnetism – Kalgoorlie, WA
Come and marvel at the fun and invisible forces that create magnetism! This under 10’s event is a hands on, activity based learning opportunity to behold. Join in the messy fun with painting, slime and treasure hunt. 10am – 2pm Saturday 11 August

Garden to plate – Alice Springs, NT
Join us for Exploring Bush Foods with Rayleen Brown (Kungka’s Can Cook), The Science of Gardening with Costa Georgiadis (Gardening Australia), Growing Healthy & Disease Free Plants with Dr Karen Barry (University of Tasmania). 2 – 5pm Saturday 11 August

Immersive Science II: Revealing the invisible universe – Stawell, VIC
Take a tour of the invisible Universe. We will provide everyone with a SciVR headset to take them out of this world to the world of colliding black holes and microscopic wonders. 1.30 – 3pm Sunday 12 August

Public open session at the Recycling Discovery Hub – Hume, ACT
Find out what happens to recycling in the ACT at the Recycling Discovery Hub. Come and find out what happens to the things we put in our recycling bin. 5 – 6pm Wednesday 15 August

Star gazing at Marian Catholic College – Griffith, NSW
Come and see the night sky at Marian Catholic College. Constellations, planets, galaxies and more. Teachers from Marian Catholic College will be hosting a stargazing event to look at some of the exciting things in the heavens above. 7 – 9pm Wednesday 15 August

Roxby’s Mad Scientists – Roxby Downs, SA
Roxby’s Mad Scientists is a free, hands-on, exhilarating and inspiring event for children and youth. It will be held in the Roxby Downs Community Youth Centre and will be like a mini science expo, with a range of different activities available for children to participate in. 3 – 6pm Thursday 16 August

Immerse yourself in the world of reefs – Cloncurry, QLD
Ever wondered how old the Great Barrier Reefs is, what coral shapes and colours exist, how humans affect the reef, and what actions you can take from home to save reefs or any environment?  11am – 12pm Saturday 18 August

Celebrate Slime: Hands-on science with Sarah Lloyd – Westbury, TAS
Slime moulds love wet weather. Plasmodia become active and eventually form exquisite fruiting bodies. Sarah Lloyd will show photographs, answer questions and bring a range of different species for close inspection. Participants can also view the exhibition ‘Slime Moulds – Nature’s miniature jewels’. 2 – 4pm Saturday 18 August

We are very proud that Science Week reaches into so many of our diverse communities and landscapes, and that many STEM engagement opportunities and activities are being targeted for and driven by locals. Science-y content activity opportunities are becoming a more regular and welcome part of our amusement options.

If you want more STEM happenings in your neck of the wood, take inspiration from the delights of Science Week 2018, get in contact with your local Science Week Coordinating Committee or Inspiring Australia manager and start planning for next year!