Science on Saturday

General Information

• About Science on Saturday
• Term 4 details 
• Locations
• Future program details

About Science on Saturday

Science on Saturday is a fun and exciting Queensland Government program giving Queensland school students from 7 to 14 years old an opportunity to participate in real, hands-on science experiments.

Each phase will run for six weeks in venues across Queensland, with a new topic each week. Attend one session or attend all of them. The Science on Saturday program runs in six new towns each term, so if there are no activities near you this time, don't worry; we might be coming to a town near you later in the year.

Most sessions include something to take home. At the end of fourth week of the program (Whodunnit?), each child in attendance will receive a Science show bag with more than 10 experiments to complete at home with family and friends!

Children who attend all six sessions will receive one of the following magazines at the end of their program:

• The Helix magazine a science magazine for ages 10+
• Scientriffic magazine a science magazine for ages 7+.

Term 4 details

Science on Saturday costs A$6 per session (pre-paid) or A$9 per session if you pay on the day. There are two 90-minute sessions each Saturday:

• a junior session (7-10 years old) from 10.00 am to 11.30 am
• a senior session (11-14 years old) from 12.30 pm to 2.00 pm.

Topics in 2009 are:

• 24 October - Scientists at Work. Learn about the scientific method as you come up with hypotheses, and use constants and variables in experiments. Don't know what they are? Come along and find out!
• 31 October - Our Environment. Look at ways to protect our Earth while understanding what different species need to survive.
• 7 November - Health & Wellbeing. What keeps humans healthy? How do our bodies work? Learn body facts, what's good and bad for you, and how your senses work.
• 14 November  - Whodunnit? Put on your detective hat and examine evidence such as fingerprints, blood groups and handwriting, as you enter the field of forensics to solve a crime.
• 21 November - Geology Rocks! Investigate the rock cycle, geological time and mining processes. Look at raw materials and see where they are used at home.
• 28 November - Awesome Agriculture. How do plants and animals grow? How do we get rid of pests and diseases? Come along and look at the agricultural diversity of Queensland.

Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

PLEASE NOTE: To book, phone 1300 302 649 or use our online booking form. Please note, the booking procedure is not automatic. Please wait 48 hours for a confirmation email or phone call. If you have not received a response within 48 hours, please try again.

Numbers are limited to 25 per session and bookings are essential, even if you want to pay on the day.

Science on Saturday sessions for term 4 will be held at the following locations:

• Townsville - North Queensland Science Education Centre, James Cook University, Townsville. PLEASE NOTE: All junior sessions in Townsville are now fully booked. Please call to place your child on a waiting list.
• Cloncurry - Cloncurry State School, Daintree Street, Cloncurry. Only one session (10 am - 11.30 am) will be run each week in Cloncurry. The dates also vary slightly.
• Kingaroy - South Burnett Catholic College, 10 Kent Street, Kingaroy.
• Goondiwindi - Goondiwindi State High School, 3 Sandhurst Street, Goondiwindi. Only one session (10 am - 11.30 am) will be run each week in Goondiwindi. The dates also vary slightly.
• Longreach - Longreach State High School, Jabiru Street, Longreach.
• Gold Coast - Elanora State High School, Cnr 19th Avenue & Avocado Street, Elanora.

Please note that bookings and payment close at 4 pm each Friday prior to Science on Saturday sessions.

Future program details

The Science on Saturday program visits six new towns each term, providing a presence in 24 towns throughout 2009. See the table below to find your nearest location and when the activities are available. Bookings for each phase will open about three weeks before the first session of that phase.

Find out about CSIRO's Events & Holiday Programs.

Science on Saturday is an initiative of the Queensland Government and delivered by CSIRO Education.

Contact Information

Primary Contact

Related Links

• Events & holiday programs
• CSIRO Science Education Centre (South Queensland)
• North Queensland Science Education Centre
• Double Helix Science Club
• Queensland Government [external link]

• Double Helix events (South Queensland)
• Double Helix events (North Queensland)