National Science Week 2026 Brings Science Festival to Tasmania
Tasmania will host a series of interactive public events for National Science Week 2026, featuring Beaker Street Festival, science communication keynotes, and regional STEM activities across the state.
Harry Taruva 
Hobart, Australia — National Science Week 2026 will present an extensive schedule of public events, interactive installations and live demonstrations across Tasmania from 15 to 23 August 2026.
The annual celebration, which attracts millions of participants nationwide, will feature major events in Hobart, Sandy Bay, Burnie, Ulverstone and regional centers across the state.
Key festival highlights include the return of the Beaker Street Festival, featuring discussions on emerging topics such as psychedelic mental health treatments, social media policies, and true crime science at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.
Additionally, astrophysicist and science communicator Dr. Kirsten Banks will headline the University of Tasmania’s "Island of Ideas" series, focusing on digital media engagement and scientific literacy.
Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki will present live shows in Burnie and Hobart, while the annual Festival of Bright Ideas will convene at Hobart’s Princes Wharf 1 to showcase First Nations engineering, robotics, climate research and interactive displays for students and the public.
The official statewide launch will take place on Friday, 14 August 2026, at Princes Wharf in Hobart, led by Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Felix Ellis, alongside committee representatives and scientific researchers.
