National Science Week in Melbourne: Why Science Starts Earlier Than You Think

When parents hear the word science, they might picture laboratories, complicated formulas or school lessons.

But for a young child, science often begins with much simpler questions:

Why did the ice disappear?
Will this leaf float?
What is hiding under that rock?
Why is this plant growing?

These everyday moments are exactly where curiosity, investigation and early scientific thinking begin.

That makes National Science Week in Melbourne a great opportunity to celebrate something children are already doing naturally: exploring how their world works.

What Is National Science Week?

National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. In 2026, it runs from Saturday 15 August to Sunday 23 August, with events taking place across Australia, including activities at Melbourne Museum and Scienceworks.

Established in 1997, the initiative aims to celebrate Australian science while encouraging people (particularly younger generations) to stay curious about the world around them.

The 2026 schools theme, Seeds of Science: Nurturing Knowledge for All, focuses on how questions and ideas can grow into knowledge and discovery.

And science is not only for school-aged children. National Science Week has developed activities specifically for children aged 3–5 years, aligned with Australia’s Early Years Learning Framework.

Is Science Really Important in Childcare?

Yes, but science in early childhood should not feel like a formal school lesson.

Young children learn science when they observe, touch, compare, predict, experiment and ask questions.

Imagine a child building a tower.

They add another block.

It falls.

They try again with a wider base.

That simple moment involves experimenting, problem-solving and discovering cause and effect.

Australian Government guidance recognises that children can develop early STEM thinking through rich and authentic play experiences. ACECQA also identifies curiosity and problem-solving as important parts of play-based learning.

For parents who worry that early learning might become “too academic too soon”, this distinction matters.

Good early science is not about expecting a four-year-old to memorise scientific facts.

It is about protecting their curiosity and giving them opportunities to investigate their own questions.

A child asking “What will happen if…?” is already beginning to think like a scientist.

What Does Science Look Like at Woodlands?

At Woodlands Childcare & Education, science and STEM sit within a broader play-based learning approach rather than being isolated from children’s everyday experiences. Woodlands’ curriculum includes science, technology, robotics, cooking and exploration of the natural world.

Depending on children’s age and interests, this can include experiences such as:

• Exploring plants, animals, weather and different materials.
• Using magnifying glasses, scales and other simple equipment.
• Nature walks, bug hunts and vegetable gardens.
• Worm farms and egg-hatching experiences.
• Engineering and problem-solving projects.
• Age-appropriate technology and robotics.
• Measuring, mixing and observing changes during cooking activities.

These experiences give educators opportunities to ask questions such as:

“What do you think will happen?”

“Why do you think that changed?”

“What could we try differently?”

The objective is not simply finding the correct answer. It is helping children become comfortable wondering, testing ideas and trying again.

You Can Encourage Science at Home Too

You do not need expensive STEM toys to encourage scientific thinking.

Try giving your child a container of water and several safe household objects and ask:

“Which ones do you think will float?”

Put an ice cube in two different places and observe which one melts first.

Plant a seed together and take a photo every few days.

The most important part is often not the activity itself.

It is the conversation.

Instead of immediately giving your child the answer, try asking:

“What do you think?”

That small question gives them permission to investigate.

National Science Week Ends. Curiosity Shouldn’t.

National Science Week gives families across Melbourne and Australia a reason to celebrate discovery each August.

But children do not stop asking questions when Science Week finishes.

At Woodlands, opportunities to explore science, nature, cooking, technology, construction and problem-solving can form part of children’s experiences throughout the year.

For families comparing childcare and early learning in Melbourne or Victoria, this is an important question to ask:

What will my child actually experience and learn here?

Sometimes the best way to answer that question is to see it yourself.

Explore your nearest Woodlands centre, meet our educators and see how play, curiosity and learning come together throughout the day.

Useful links: Our Centres | Book a Tour | Kindergarten

Related reading: How Families and Woodlands Are Creating a Positive Impact in Childcare with B1G1