25 Years of New Zealand Science
An exhibit celebrating the Science Festival's 25th birthday by highlighting some of New Zealand's amazing science from the last 25 years.
AI and the Workforce
Delve into the implications of AI technologies in this panel talk, exploring how they are reshaping industries and job markets worldwide.
Anatomical Drawing Workshop
Anatomical Drawing Workshop: Greebling 101, how texture can bring your drawings into three dimensions
Antimicrobial Resistance
A panel discussion about combating antibiotic resistance in Aotearoa New Zealand and the wider Pacific, now and in the future.
Aotearoa New Zealand Geological Map Carpet
Admire GNS Science’s one-of-a-kind New Zealand geological map carpet in the Science Festival Hub.
Artificial Lungs - Why Doesn't My Inhaler Work Properly?
Find out why an inhaler works or doesn't work with the help of an artificial lung at the School of Pharmacy.
Ask Dr Rock
Bring your favourite rocks, minerals, fossils and pebbles for the Geoscience Society of New Zealand’s Dr Rock to identify.
Backyard Biodiversity: Manaakihia te Taiao
Explore the idea of growing biodiversity in your own backyard in a creative art workshop
Backyard Biodiversity
Celebrate our backyards and how we make these into happy places for us and nature.
Be a Citizen Scientist!
What’s living on our shores? How can we protect them? Spend a while helping to monitor our shores.
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Beach Clean for the Blues
Help with a beach clean up at Takiharuru with Litter Intelligence Programme and then take a free evening Blue Penguin Pukekura tour!!
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Building with Natural Materials
Get hands-on designing and building with natural materials
Clash of the Trash: Organics and Landfills
Discover what the DCC does with organic waste, what options you have and where waste reduction is heading across Aotearoa
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CNC Machining and 3D Printing Advanced Manufacturing Tour
Tour an advanced manufacturing facility in the heart of Dunedin showcasing the latest robotics, automation and 3D printing technology.
Coastal Care with Citizen Science
Enjoy a talk with Rob Lewis about monitoring Otago's coastal environment with citizen science.
Community Kōrero About Heart Health
Panel discussion featuring community members, researchers, and clinicians discussing strategies for managing common heart health issues.
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Computer Deconstruction Workshop
Strip it, rebuild it, plug it in and make it go!
COSMIC Exhibition - Science From Taiwan
A magical exhibition fusing art and science, for our future and environment.
COSMIC Workshops - Science From Taiwan
A magical exhibition fusing art and science, for our future and environment.
Dynamic Plants: Moving with the Environment
Come along and learn how plants use genetics to adapt to their environment!
E-Waste Reconstruction
Are you interested in how things work? One way to find out is by pulling it apart and looking at the pieces.
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Edible Insects: Treat or Trick?
Edible insects are nutritious, healthy, and sustainable! Are they cool enough for ice cream?
Enabling Kaitiakitanga: A National Science Challenges Panel
A panel discussion about how we remove barriers for Māori to enact kaitiakitanga and what this looks like in practice.
Everyday Conservation Science
Meet Department of Conservation rangers to learn about conservation science that you can do everyday at home!
Exhibit for Our Ocean Workshop Series
Come and see the transformation of marine climate data into art, from the 'Our Ocean' workshop series.
Exploring Dunedin's Volcano
Come onboard the MV Sootychaser for a journey through the heart of Dunedin's extinct volcano!
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Exploring Our Marine Environment Through VR
Experience the wonder of underwater Aotearoa through virtual reality.
Exploring the Dunedin Night Sky and All Its Wonders
Get to know the southern night sky in this fun, safe, and educational night out.
Feed the Birds
Information and hands-on activities to help our backyard native birds flourish.
Feeding Aotearoa: A National Science Challenges Panel
A panel discussion about moving towards a food system that contributes positively to health, wellbeing, the economy and the environment.
Festival Hub
A drop-in space hosting events and activities throughout the Festival!
Fight Like a Physicist
Spoiler alert: The physicist wins! Learn to use physics to your advantage in practical karate techniques.
Fingerprinting Forensics - An Oritain Mystery
Help solve a Dunedin whodunnit using real-life forensic techniques.
First Flight
Butterfly release in the Tropical Forest.
Gin from Food Waste? Let's Mash It!
Hands on experience converting bakery scraps into premium spirits.
Genome - Science of Life
In this exhibition, find out more about what is a genome, why it’s important, and how genomics touches our everyday lives.
Gin & The Collection
Come along, taste award-winning boutique gins and get a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of Tūhura Otago Museum's rarely seen basement collect
Healthier Kiwis: A National Science Challenges Panel
The National Science Challenge talks - how can we improve the health and wellbeing of kiwis across all age, cultural and economic spectrums?
HEART HUB
Join the gang for a closer look at our mighty heart under the lens, or chill out with some colouring in and science puzzles.
HeartOtago Dissection Lab - Kids' Edition
Kids will dissect a lamb’s heart with guidance from the HeartOtago crew.
How Do You Measure Up?
Measure your own physiological signals with interactive devices and compare your signals to professional athletes!
Imagination Playground
The big blue blocks are back! We provide the blocks, you provide the fun. Play is only limited by what you can imagine!
Is Science Making Our Food Safer?
RNZ presenter Kim Hill discusses the future of food and what it means for NZ producers and consumers with a panel of food experts.
Junior Heart Science
Learn how your heart works and why it sometimes beats slow and other times feels like it is going to burst out of your chest!
Kāi Tahu Experience at Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau / Sinclair Wetlands
A guided walk at Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau/Sinclair Wetlands focusing on Kāi Tahu traditional ecological knowledge and environmental restoration
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Kiwi Kai – Digital Learning Teachers’ Workshop
Deepen evidence-based decision making in science, literacy and te ao Māori as students learn how to sustainably manage a virtual farm.
Kiwi Kai
Grab your virtual gumboots and become a farmer!
Lights, Camera, Science! Sci Comm Student Film Premiere
An evening of phenomenal science and nature films produced by Science Communication Master’s students.
Liveable Cities: A National Science Challenges Panel
A panel talk about how we can adapt our cities and the way we inhabit them to make them more liveable in an era of climate change.
Magic Heritage Bus Tours
Embark on an adventure on a Dunedin-famous Magic Heritage bus!
Magic in the Air! Storytime at the Festival Hub
Join the UBS story teller for magical adventures and creative crafts!
Makerspace
Tūhura Otago Museum’s Makerspace is famous for its amazing crafts, this time we're celebrating space with the Out of This World Makerspace.
Map Chat
Learn about the geological map of New Zealand from geologists.
Matariki Ki Tua o Kā Whetū: Matariki of Endless Possibilities
Come to a family-friendly science show celebrating Matariki and mātauranga Māori!
Micro-folie Digital Museum
The Micro-folie Digital Museum is a collection of thousands of pieces from famous museums around Europe and the world.
Micro-Investigators
Raise awareness about microplastics in waterways, to involve all sections of education and to make change for sustainability
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Moana Pool - Fun Science with Amadeo!
Let's explore science in the pool! From octopus propulsion to making tsunamis, the pool has lots to offer curious scientists!
Murder, Mystery, and Mixology: A Killer Night Out
Unleash your inner detective and catch the killer! Join us for a thrilling immersive night of forensic crime-solving and custom cocktails!
Mysterious Chemistry
An audience participation event exploring activities that appear almost magical but can be explained with chemistry...
Myth Bust
A science-themed improvised comedy show - will they bust that myth?
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Observatory - Fun Science with Amadeo!
Come enjoy some amazing astronomy demonstrations and activities at the Beverley Begg Observatory!
On the Origin of Faeces
A scientific and comedic investigation into the excellent world of excrement and gut bacteria.
Otago Participatory Science Platform
Learn about participatory science projects that build meaningful collaborations between scientists and the broader community.
Our Air, Our Breath, Our Wind
Scientists and artists bring you art and science explorations on the theme of AIR.
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Our Ocean – Bringing Marine Climate Data to Life
An immersive workshop combining art and science!
Peering Through the Haze – Let’s Talk About Vaping
What are the harms and benefits of vaping in Aotearoa New Zealand?
Pirate's Plunder: The Mystery of the Stolen Treasure
Unleash your inner detective and put your crime-solving skills to the test in this thrilling interactive and immersive pirate adventure!
Plant Me Instead!
Learn how to recognise, control and replace invasive weeds that have ‘jumped the fence’ + a native plant giveaway!
Playwriting panel with Tim Jackson
Tim Jackson, renowned ecological economist and BBC radio playwright, is joined by Otago academics to discuss science playwriting.
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Post Growth - Life After Capitalism: An evening with Tim Jackson
Tim Jackson, renowned ecological economist from the UK, discusses his work on life after capitalism.
Sci Fight Science Comedy Debate: We Should Fear AI
Sci Fight brings together comedians and scientists to debate serious issues in a silly way.
Science Academy Science Communication Expo
Engaging short science talks, films, and museum artefact chats on a range of topical issues.
Science for Our Land and Future
Meet the researchers behind the science of Aotearoa New Zealand's biodiversity, biosecurity, soil and environment.
Short talks: Forging Your Own Path in the Sciences and Tech
7 speakers: 10 slides, 6 minute stories of their career journeys in the sciences and NZ tech.
Solar Tsunamis
Come grab exclusive sneak peek of Otago Museum's newest science showcase!
Spontaneous Reactions
A science-themed improvised comedy show for teens and families!
Tackling food waste together: Actions and innovations
Leaders in government, research, industry, and non-profit explain how they are addressing food waste, and what you can do to to help.
Taoka Pūoro and Miheke Oro – Musical Instruments of Māori and Moriori
Hear the evocative sounds of taoko pūoro and miheke oro in a workshop with Jennifer Cattermole, one of Aotearoa’s leading ethnomusicologists
Tarantula Tales
The Tropical Forest's resident tarantulas don't always get the love that they deserve, but in this talk, that is about to change....
The Future is Nano
Pop-up, hands-on fun with nanoscience!
The Future of Energy
How will energy production and distribution change in the coming years and what can consumers do to support positive change?
The Impacts of Plastic Pollution on the Fitness of Marine Animals
Dr. Bridie Allan from the University of Otago shares her research into how plastic pollution affects marine organisms.
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The Messy Fun Science with Amadeo Show!
Experience messy, mucky, sticky, slimy science in this spectacular science show featuring Fun Science with Amadeo.
The Physics of Hot and Cold
How cold can you withstand? Can we hold boiling liquid in our bare hands? Join us for an experimental investigation of our everyday physics!
The Science and Technology of Everyday Appliances
Learn first-hand how Fisher & Paykel uses science and technology to create top-of-the-line appliances! Drop by for a hands-on experience.
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The Science of Chocolate
Learn about the almost magical properties of chocolate and why it lifts your mood.
Trouble in Paradise
Come see award-winning photography from the UK's Pacific Climate Photography Competition.
University of Otago Science Expo
Come explore the wide range of science research taking place at the University of Otago via hands-on activities the whole family can enjoy!
Upcycled Food Workshop
Make your own innovative and delicious upcycled food items and learn from food scientists about processing food by-products.
Virtual Driving Practice!
Drive the roads of New Zealand in virtual reality.
Visit Innovation!
Take a tour of Fisher & Paykel's Design Centre to explore the science and innovation behind the appliances!
WD Trotter Anatomy Museum: Guided Tours
Have you ever seen the smallest bone in the human body? Tour the WD Trotter Anatomy Museum and discover the wonders of our anatomy.
Wine & Sound with Dr Jo Burzynska
Experience wine like you never have before - with your ears! Let the combination of wine & sound lead you to unexpected places.
Women in Science Brunch
Calling all women in science! Join us for Sunday morning brunch, casual networking and short talks from women in a range of science careers.
Youth ROBOTICS Artplay
Can a robot do your homework? Let's see if we can get one to do simple tasks! With Inventorslab@petridish & special guest KUKA the robot.