National Science Week 2025

 

Theme: Decoding the Universe – Exploring the unknown with nature’s hidden language

National Science Week 2025 invites students and educators to explore the mysteries of our world through the lens of nature’s hidden language – mathematics and quantum science. This year’s theme, Decoding the Universe, highlights how these fundamental tools help us understand natural systems and power technologies that shape our everyday lives.

At PIEFA, we’re bringing this theme to life through the lens of food and fibre production – one of Australia’s most vital and innovative industries. From GPS-guided tractors to climate-smart farming and genetically mapped crops, agriculture is a living example of how maths and science are used to decode complex systems and solve real-world challenges.

Our 2025 Science Week program includes:

🌱 Farm of the Future – Student Challenge || FOUNDATION TO YEAR 12

Students from Foundation to Year 12 will explore the role of science, technology and innovation in improving the sustainability and productivity of Australian food and fibre production. Working collaboratively, they will research and communicate how a specific agricultural innovation or technology, either newly imagined or already in use, can address a key challenge in the sector. Students will deliver a concise, persuasive elevator pitch to explain the purpose, function, and impact of their chosen solution, choosing one of two pitch pathways:

  • Future Innovation Pitch – students imagine a new or emerging technology to solve a current or predicted food and fibre issue.
  • Historical Invention Pitch – students imagine they are in the past and pitch a real innovation (e.g. GPS, artificial intelligence, robotic milking) as though it is being introduced for the very first time to solve a pressing problem of the era.

The resource includes teacher guidance and offers two flexible delivery options: a stand-alone 60 minute lesson or a more in depth three-lesson sequence (each 60 minutes). 

SIGN-UP TO RECEIVE THE PDF STUDENT CHALLENGE HERE

 

 

2024 Downloadable Resource Kits 

Access our PDF classroom kits that will set you up to teach science and innovation content relating to food and fibre. There’s one for Primary (covering F-6) and a separate download for Secondary (7-12). These kits give teachers the flexibility to get involved in Science Week activities at a time that suits individual class timetables. The resources are thoughtfully pieced together to provide step-by-step guidance. Lesson materials include informative videos, activities, posters and games to engage your students in their food and fibre learning.
 
Access the PDF Digital Learning Kits below:
 
 

 

MORE SCIENCE WEEK RESOURCES

NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK 

Check out the National Science Week Schools link for more ideas and resources to integrate this event into your classroom. 

 
CSIRO WILD WATCH 
Get curious. 🔎
Some of the most important skills that young people can have is a curiosity and appreciation for nature. Getting them involved in citizen science from a young age helps them nurture those skills.
This #NationalScienceWeek (August 9-17), CSIRO are running ‘CSIRO Wild Watch’, their very first national science experiment made for young explorers.
CSIRO Wild Watch calls curious minds – young and young-at-heart – to head outdoors, observe local flora and fauna, and contribute valuable biodiversity data for Australian research.
 


PRIMARY RESOURCE QUICK LINKS: 

SECONDARY RESOURCE QUICK LINKS: