The free event, now in its 14th year, is a collaboration with the City of Sydney and runs from 10am to 3pm on Saturday 9 August at Redfern Community Centre (29-53 Hugo Street, Redfern), with visitors welcome to attend at any time.
Participants can yarn with Aboriginal knowledge custodians about bush foods and medicines, customary use of seaweeds, and Aboriginal astronomy. They can also take part in cultural performances, experience Torres Strait Islander cultures through virtual reality and engage with mathematics, microbiology, physics and chemistry activities.
"This day offers a remarkable opportunity for people to immerse themselves in learnings from the world's oldest living cultures," says Professor Joanne Jamie, Co-Director of the National Indigenous Science Education Program and bioorganic and medicinal chemist at Macquarie University.
First Nations scientists, technologists and cultural educators will present, including Yaegl Elders, South Coast Seaweed, Indigibee, Bush to Bowl, Questacon, Birdlife Southern NSW, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, and the National Indigenous Science Education Program.
Indigenous secondary student leaders from the National Indigenous Science Education Program will demonstrate activities, acting as role models for other young people.
The Community Day marks the start of five days of Indigenous Science Experience activities coordinated by the National Indigenous Science Education Program, hosted by Macquarie University, including a presence at Science in the Scrub, a free family event at Western Sydney Parklands’ Lizard Log on Sunday 10 August.
National Science Week runs from 9-17 August 2025. Event details can be found at www.scienceweek.net.au.
Contact: Professor Joanne Jamie, Co-Director of the National Indigenous Science Education Program, joanne.jamie@mq.edu.au
