Science is a Superpower Festival

Zap into your science superpower over two days of hands-on activities.

18 August 2026

The Lightening Theatre, Scienceworks. Photographer: Thomas Breakwell. Source: Museums Victoria.

Festival included with museum entry on 12 and 13 September – under 16s free

Scienceworks’ Science is a Superpower Festival is back on 12–13 September with a jam-packed program of hands-on activities, live demos, science experts and mind-blowing experiments to spark the STEM superhero in every visitor.

With activities based on ten science 'superpowers' – Curiosity, Kindness, Calmness, Energy, Strength, Connection, Perception, Adaptation, Ingenuity and Resilience, the Festival invites visitors of all ages to explore the power of science through a program that brings STEM to life in a hands-on way.

This third iteration of the Festival builds on the momentum of Museums Victoria’s award-winning Science is a Superpower online video series, which this year reached a major milestone of almost five million views across two seasons.

Launched to inspire young people, particularly girls and non-binary students to see themselves in science, the series celebrates curiosity, creativity and confidence in STEM. By bringing the ten themes to life through hands-on activities, live demonstrations and face-to-face interactions, the Science is a Superpower Festival offers visitors a chance to step into the world they’ve seen on screen and experience their own superpowers in action.

Reflecting on the powerful message behind the Science is a Superpower digital series and hands-on Festival, Lynley Crosswell, CEO & Director, Museums Victoria said its existence was created to provide parents and teachers with resources to support their children’s interest in STEM.

“We created Science is a Superpower Festival as a place for all children to enjoy two days of hands-on STEM exploration.

“By encouraging all children to question, create and think differently, we're fostering the curiosity and confidence that helps them see themselves as the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators.”

Science is a Superpower Festival is generously supported by Learning Partner, Swinburne University of Technology.

Swinburne Chief Scientist Virginia Kilborn said experiences like these are crucial to inspiring our future STEM stars.

“When young people engage with STEM in ways that are creative, practical and fun, it can change what they believe is possible,” she said.

“Hands-on experiences like Science is a Superpower Festival help spark curiosity, build confidence and show that science is not just something to study, it is a powerful way to understand, shape and improve the world around us.”

Minister for Creative Industries Vicki Ward said,

"We're turning Scienceworks into a playground for curious minds with two days of hands-on fun that shows kids just how exciting STEM can be."

"This festival is a brilliant reminder that science isn't just something you read about – it's something you get to touch, test and experience for yourself."

"It's a chance for all children to see themselves in science, and to meet the role models who can show them where a love of STEM can take them."

Each activity at the Festival will highlight the vital role STEM plays in preparing young people for the challenges of the future, from building problem-solving skills to encouraging innovative thinking:

Visitors can begin their journey with calmness, enjoying guided meditation through the stars in the Melbourne Planetarium, before creating a unique artwork on the Scienceworks harmonograph.
Young sports enthusiasts can test their strength in Sportsworks, where they will race against Cathy Freeman (a long-time Sciencework favourite), leap for height, or save goals like a champion.
Curiosity takes the lead in Think Ahead, where experts from Swinburne University of Technology, Engineers Australia and other world class institutions will answer museumgoers’ most puzzling questions as they imagine the future.
Pop into the STEM lab, renamed the 'Space Lab' for this exciting weekend, to meet with folks who know all about resilience. From sending plants into orbit, to Australian research being conducted on the International Space Station, experts from Swinburne Space Technology and Industry Institute will talk about recovering from setbacks and adapting to challenges.
Kindness shines in the Energy Lab, where visitors can add a contribution to the Wall of Kindness, before heading over to witness the energy of lightning in the Lightning Theatre, featuring the famous Tesla coil.
Beyond Perception will encourage visitors to test their powers of perception, revealing the invisible fields and forces that surround us, such as gravitational waves, invisible light, sound and aerodynamics.
Heading outside, experience connection as super scientists will take to the floor at the iconic Scienceworks rainbow amphitheatre to share their stories, stop by our outdoor pop-up marquees to learn more about ingenuity from some young scientists who are shooting for the moon.
Utilise the powers of adaptation in our Colour: See the World in a New Light exhibition, where 21 playful exhibits explore how colour is created, changed and understood thanks to our friends at Questacon, and interactive programs from Engineers Australia provide a fun opportunity to test your skills.