Festival Guest: Michelle Thaller

This year we're so pleased to welcome NASA's Dr Michelle Thaller, who will be involved in a range of events across the festival dates. Click here to learn more!

Festival Hub

A drop-in space hosting events and activities throughout the Festival!

University of Otago Science Expo

Meet our researchers and become a scientist for a day!

30 Years of Pakake: All Our Stories

Celebrate the first 30 years of sea lions returning to breed on the mainland.

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.

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.

New Discoveries, New Connections

Join us for Dr Michelle Thaller's Keynote Talk

Australian Highlights Live - NZ Edition

This is the place where we find the innovative people and ideas which are not – yet! – common knowledge.

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!

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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.

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.

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

Connecting and Taking Action Together

Find out about all the climate action – big and small – happening in Ōtepoti Dunedin right now!

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?

Dr Rock

Ask Dr Rock about rocks, minerals and fossils

Exploring Dunedin's Extinct Volcano

Come onboard the MV Sootychaser for a journey through the heart of Dunedin's extinct volcano!

Exploring the Dunedin Night Sky and All Its Wonders

Get to know the southern night sky.

Backyard Biodiversity

Celebrate our backyards and how we make them happy places for us and nature.

Gene Hunting in Rare Diseases

Learn about and use up-to-date diagnostic techniques in rare genetic disease testing.

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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?

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!

Harnessing Brainwaves for Meditative Mastery

Neurofeedback Training for Meditative Mastery

Heart Hub

Join the crew for a closer look at our mighty heart or join in some fun heart-themed crafts.

Heart Science for Kids

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!

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HeartOtago Dissection Lab

Join the HeartOtago crew to dissect a lamb’s heart

BEE Creative: Exhibition and workshops

An exhibition of community-created banners and daily in-gallery activities!

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!

Improv: Entangled

Watch as science and theatre become entangled in this completely improvised show based on quantum mechanics.

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.

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!

Living Alongside Pakake

Explore current research about sea lions and have a say about what's needed for a sustainable future living alongside pakake.

Magical Molecule Tour

Delve into the molecular magic that makes life work!

Sestinas for Science

Write a sestina with a science theme!

Magnetic Leaves Bioblitz

Join us for a unique citizen science experience, and uncover the hidden story of Dunedin’s air quality.

Science Academy: Science Communications Expo

Short interesting science talks, films and fun demos!

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.

Marine Encounters

Meet local marine species and discover what makes them special!

Meet Maria Skłodowska-Curie!

Watch a movie about the life and work of the greatest Polish scientist, Maria Skłodowska-Curie.

Quantum Quest

It's gaming day at the Festival Hub!

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.

Ruruku Exhibition

An exhibition by Hauteruruku ki Puketeraki waka club.

Science Alive: Hands on Science!

Come and see Science Alive at The Hub and get hands-on with interactive science fun!

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!

Sip & Science - Emerson’s Brewery Tour

A tour through Emerson’s brewery with a focus on the science of brewing and fermentation.

Sustainable keyboard artplay

Deconstruct keyboards and make them into art!

Science at the OPERA

Join the OPERA science tour to explore our eco-reserve, learn about conservation, and take part in a bird count.

Take Back your Garden

Invasive plant control & native plant giveaway!

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

Who Killed the Kiwi?

Use genetic and forensic evidence to work out which animal killed the kiwi!

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.

Wonder Project Rocket Launch Off

Join the Wonder Project for a water rocket launch competition!

Write Your Own Science Poetry

Create your own poetry inspired by scientific observations, imagery and vocabulary.

CitSciNZ Bioblitz

Ramble around the bush and document all the biodiversity you encounter!

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Ruruku Waka Workshop

Craft your own mini waka, taura waka, and take your photo with Kuramātakitaki waka

CitSciNZ Networking Storm

An after work gathering for anyone interested or invested in Citizen Science – become a part of the CitSci community!

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Visit Innovation!

Take a tour of Fisher & Paykel's Design Centre to explore the science and innovation behind the appliances!

Science in the Library

Drop by the Waikouaiti library for some fun science activities these school holidays! Drop by the Waikouaiti library for some fun science activities these school holidays!

Returning Taoka

How translocations allow for the return of treasured species.

Fossils Talk: Historical Plastic

A discussion about individual items chosen from Janet de Wagt's 23,000 piece collection of plastic.

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Hillside Workshops Tour

See what goes on behind the scenes at the newly redeveloped Hillside workshops.

Te Tahu-Nui-ā-Rangi (Aurora) clay tile making

Make your own clay tile art inspired by Te-Tahu-Nui-ā-Rangi (Aurora Australis).

Pepeketua of Aotearoa

Learn about Aotearoa New Zealand’s native frogs with activities from the NZFrogs team's new resources.

Robotics. Automation. Innovation.

See it all at Scott Technology's display at the Festival Hub.

Science Storytime with UBS

Explore the wonders of science with every page we turn.

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.

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Seasons in the Sea: Participatory Science Event!

Collect and analyse plankton samples with marine scientists!

Getting the Measure of Alcohol - Discussion & Quiz Night

What is alcohol and how and why do we measure it?

Alternative Operating System Demonstration

Try out an upgrade for your soon to be unsupported Windows 10 device.

Science in the Town Belt

Learn about nature and science in the Town Belt at our interactive stall with students from Town Belt Kaitiaki!

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Scott Technology Workshop Tour

Robotics. Automation. Innovation. See it all during the Scott Technology Workshop Tour

Ask Me Anything! (About Space...)

With Guest Dr Michelle Thaller

History of medicine in the Pacific

Join us for a panel talk about the history of medicine and health in the Pacific region.

Ruruku Exhibition Guided Tours

Guided tours of Ruruku: an exhibition by Hauteruruku ki Puketeraki waka club

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Youth computer hardware workshop

Join our computer deconstruction workshop - sign up to get a free desktop computer.

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!

Dunedin Repair Cafe

Join a session to get clothes mended, digital devices fixed and small electronics restored to life.

DNADRV

We need your help to investigate Aotearoa New Zealand's insects!

Forces at Play

Learn physics through movement and theatre. No lectures, no equations, no experience required.

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The Return of Quantum Shorts

A retrospective of the Quantum Shorts global film festival winners.

Gin-Making Workshop

An immersive gin-making workshop – uncover the art of distillation.

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Bushwalk with Dr Ihirangi Heke

Take a walk and explore the bush with Dr Ihirangi Heke!

Intriguing Kōura

Uncover the secrets of New Zealand’s freshwater crayfish and why they matter!

Historical and contemporary issues in conservation and the environment

Hear from experts in ecotourism, de-extinction, predator-free NZ, fisheries management, sustainability and climate adaptation discuss some hard issues. Join us for a panel talk on conservation and the environment.

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Build BEAM bristlebots

BEAM robots combine Biology, Engineering, Art and Mechanics. Learn about BEAM. Make a robot. Take it home. It's yours.

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Fight Like a Physicist

Spoiler alert: The physicist wins! Learn to use physics to your advantage in practical karate techniques.