A Flying Photon
Go on a glittering and whimsical journey to meet your new favourite quantum particle – or is it wave?
An Introvert's Guide to Extroverts
This lecture explores the history of introverts in society, their current status and potential future. NO ESCAPED LAB MONKEYS.
Atomically Correct
This is the fusion reaction you've been waiting for! A quantum comedy exploring how, even though we're mostly nothing, we still matter.
Event Cancelled
Australian Highlights Live - NZ Edition
This is the place where we find the innovative people and ideas which are not – yet! – common knowledge.
BEE Creative: Exhibition and workshops
An exhibition of community-created banners and daily in-gallery activities!
Event Sold Out
Build BEAM bristlebots
BEAM robots combine Biology, Engineering, Art and Mechanics. Learn about BEAM. Make a robot. Take it home. It's yours.
Celebrate Otago’s engineering heritage: Book launch
Author Karen Wrigglesworth will share tales and sign copies of Take Me With You 3!, her new book about Otago’s engineering heritage.
Connecting and Taking Action Together
Find out about all the climate action – big and small – happening in Ōtepoti Dunedin right now!
Event Sold Out
Fight Like a Physicist
Spoiler alert: The physicist wins! Learn to use physics to your advantage in practical karate techniques.
Marine Metre²: Get to know your seashore neighbors!
See what animals and seaweeds you can identify, and find out how your data will add to our national database!
Getting the Measure of Alcohol
What is alcohol and how and why do we measure it?
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!
Jean Stevens and 'Blooming Impossible'
Inspired by a photo from the 1966 royal tour, author Karen Wrigglesworth shares her quest to unearth a pioneering NZ hybridiser’s story.
Let’s Talk CitSci Mini-Talk
Discover fun and fascinating research that needs your help to happen!
Magical Molecule Tour
Delve into the molecular magic that makes life work!
Making Internet History More Visible
A presentation of timeline infographics that make pre-Internet, Cold War military network history more visible and easier to understand.
Science Academy: Science Communications Expo
Short interesting science talks, films and fun demos!
Event Sold Out
Sustainable keyboard artplay
Deconstruct keyboards and make them into art!
Take Back your Garden
Invasive plant control & native plant giveaway!
Event Sold Out
The Return of Quantum Shorts
A retrospective of the Quantum Shorts global film festival winners.
Write Your Own Science Poetry
Create your own poetry inspired by scientific observations, imagery and vocabulary.
Youth computer hardware workshop
Join our computer deconstruction workshop - sign up to get a free desktop computer.
30 Years of Pakake: All Our Stories
Celebrate the first 30 years of sea lions returning to breed on the mainland.
A Brief History of Landing on The Moon
A talk on the history of space flight & those involved with focus on the work that went into and problems overcome to land on the moon.
Alternative Operating System Demonstration
Try out an upgrade for your soon to be unsupported Windows 10 device.
Ask Me Anything! (About Space...)
With Guest Dr Michelle Thaller
Backyard Biodiversity
Celebrate our backyards and how we make them happy places for us and nature.
Event Sold Out
Bushwalk with Dr Ihirangi Heke
Take a walk and explore the bush with Dr Ihirangi Heke!
Can You Beat the Buzz?
Join us for a fun-filled pop-up with a life-size buzz wire game, face painting, and more exciting activities!
Event Sold Out
Careers in Space: Women Shaping Aotearoa’s Future in STEM
Meet inspiring women from NZ’s space sector and explore the future of STEM with NASA’s Dr Michelle Thaller.
CitSciNZ Bioblitz
Ramble around the bush and document all the biodiversity you encounter!
CitSciNZ Networking Storm
An after work gathering for anyone interested or invested in Citizen Science – become a part of the CitSci community!
Climate Change Cinema
Global warming through the lens of Polar filmmaker Max Quinn.
Coastal Parasites: The good, the bad, and the ugly. Ko ngā pirinoa o te moana – te pai, te kino, me te anuhea.
Dr. Jerusha Bennett is July's guest speaker in the Department of Marine Science Seminar Series 2025
Death in the Distillery: A Forensic Mystery
Something sinister is brewing at No.8 Distillery. One sip was all it took — will you uncover the truth in time?
Getting the Measure of Alcohol - Discussion & Quiz Night
What is alcohol and how and why do we measure it?
DNADRV
We need your help to investigate Aotearoa New Zealand's insects!
Dunedin Repair Cafe
Join a session to get clothes mended, digital devices fixed and small electronics restored to life.
Exploring Dunedin's Extinct Volcano
Come onboard the MV Sootychaser for a journey through the heart of Dunedin's extinct volcano!
Forces at Play
Learn physics through movement and theatre. No lectures, no equations, no experience required.
Fossils Talk: Historical Plastic
A discussion about individual items chosen from Janet de Wagt's 23,000 piece collection of plastic.
Event Sold Out
Gene Hunting in Rare Diseases
Learn about and use up-to-date diagnostic techniques in rare genetic disease testing.
Gin-Making Workshop
An immersive gin-making workshop – uncover the art of distillation.
Hands-on Renewable Energy Workshop
Learn how to make (miniature) solar panels and a hydrogen-powered car!
Hands-on Renewable Energy
Explore how nanotechnology and materials science are leading the way to a brighter, greener future!
Event Sold Out
Hillside Workshops Tour
See what goes on behind the scenes at the newly redeveloped Hillside workshops.
Hunt for the aurora/Tahu-nui-ā-Rangi!
Learn about aurora australis/Tahu-nui-ā-Rangi while you seek out aurora-inspired artworks in the Dunedin Botanic Garden!
Improv: Entangled
Watch as science and theatre become entangled in this completely improvised show based on quantum mechanics.
Event Sold Out
Into the Green: Nature for Wellbeing
Breathe deep, slow down, and explore how time in nature supports wellbeing – through science, story, and a walk in the park.
Intriguing Kōura
Uncover the secrets of New Zealand’s freshwater crayfish and why they matter!
Life after Covid: Lessons, challenges and the road ahead
A discussion between Professor Shaun Hendy, Professor Jemma Geoghegan, Professor Dianne Sika-Paotonu, and Professor Sir David Skegg.
Living Alongside Pakake
Explore current research about sea lions and have a say about what's needed for a sustainable future living alongside pakake.
Meet Maria Skłodowska-Curie!
Watch a movie about the life and work of the greatest Polish scientist, Maria Skłodowska-Curie.
New Discoveries, New Connections
Join us for Dr Michelle Thaller's Keynote Talk
Quantum Quest
It's gaming day at the Festival Hub!
Returning Taoka
How translocations allow for the return of treasured species.
Robotics. Automation. Innovation.
See it all at Scott Technology's display at the Festival Hub.
Ruruku Exhibition Guided Tours
Guided tours of Ruruku: an exhibition by Hauteruruku ki Puketeraki waka club
Ruruku Exhibition
An exhibition by Hauteruruku ki Puketeraki waka club.
Event Sold Out
Ruruku Waka Workshop
Craft your own mini waka, taura waka, and take your photo with Kuramātakitaki waka
Science Alive: Hands on Science!
Come and see Science Alive at The Hub and get hands-on with interactive science fun!
Science at the OPERA
Join the OPERA science tour to explore our eco-reserve, learn about conservation, and take part in a bird count.
Science in the Town Belt
Learn about nature and science in the Town Belt at our interactive stall with students from Town Belt Kaitiaki!
Science Storytime with UBS
Explore the wonders of science with every page we turn.
Event Sold Out
Scott Technology Workshop Tour
Robotics. Automation. Innovation. See it all during the Scott Technology Workshop Tour
Event Sold Out
Seasons in the Sea: Participatory Science Event!
Collect and analyse plankton samples with marine scientists!
Seasons in the Sea Seminar
What are plankton and why are they important? Find out about Otago Harbour's very own plankton!
Secrets, Ciphers, and Quantum Codebreakers
Pop-up science sessions in Lab in a Box!
Sestinas for Science
Write a sestina with a science theme!
Sip & Science - Emerson’s Brewery Tour
A tour through Emerson’s brewery with a focus on the science of brewing and fermentation.
Sonic Sommellerie: A Multisensory Wine Odyssey
Take a journey through the senses and discover how different sounds and environments can change the taste of wine.
Te Tahu-Nui-ā-Rangi (Aurora) clay tile making
Make your own clay tile art inspired by Te-Tahu-Nui-ā-Rangi (Aurora Australis).
The Science Behind Everyday Appliances
Drop by for a hands-on experience of how Fisher & Paykel uses science and technology to create top-of-the-line appliances!
The Wizard's Apprentice: A Magical Science Mystery
Unleash your inner detective and put your crime-solving skills to the test in this interactive, thrilling and immersive wizarding adventure!
The Wrath of Quench!
Graphic design workshops and new graphic novel launch with Māui Studios and Te Whai Ao
University of Otago Science Expo
Meet our researchers and become a scientist for a day!
Event Sold Out
Visit Innovation!
Take a tour of Fisher & Paykel's Design Centre to explore the science and innovation behind the appliances!
Volcano Explorers: Aotearoa New Zealand
From fast-paced card games to digital mini-games, meet New Zealand volcanoes and become an explorer for a day!
What is Quantum Technology?
Explore the quantum science behind the computer revolution of the 20th century and the coming quantum 2.0.
Who Killed the Kiwi?
Use genetic and forensic evidence to work out which animal killed the kiwi!
Wonder Project Rocket Launch Off
Join the Wonder Project for a water rocket launch competition!
Magnetic Leaves Bioblitz
Join us for a unique citizen science experience, and uncover the hidden story of Dunedin’s air quality.
Atua Matua: An Evening with Dr Ihirangi Heke
Join us for an inspiring session with Dr. Heke as we explore Atua Matua, a unique framework grounded in mātauranga Māori.
Festival Hub
A drop-in space hosting events and activities throughout the Festival!
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.
Ōtepoti Dunedin Sound Capsule 2025
We share photos of Ōtepoti Dunedin all the time, but this time we’re putting a spotlight on the vast variety of sounds all around us
Harnessing Brainwaves for Meditative Mastery
Neurofeedback Training for Meditative Mastery
The Future of Gene Technology
With new gene tech regulations worki their way through parliament, hear from researchers about what the changes may mean for everyday kiwis.