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Space farming; 'Top End' biosecurity; next-gen farmers; songs from the grapevine; and Mars vs Outback crops

National Science Week

Great National Science Week farming and rural stories up for grabs now around Australia

• AI agronomists, seed-planting farmbots and pest-detecting drones: how will farmers use AI to boost sustainability and profit? – Canberra
• Space farmers wanted – Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and national online
• Deadly pollen: are you at risk of thunderstorm asthma? - Beechworth, VIC
• School students meet the biosecurity experts on the frontline – Katherine and Berrimah, NT
• Grape growing and autonomous tractors: wine science in song – Adelaide, SA
• Is it easier to grow food on Mars than in the South Australian Outback? – Oodnadatta, Andamooka and Copley, SA
• Cultivating next-gen farmers: school field trips to renewable farms, food labs and cellar doors – Riverina, NSW
• VR farming, Agbots and strawberry sundaes at the Ekka – Brisbane

See details below and visit ScienceWeek.net.au/events to find stories in your area.

Scientists, experts, performers and event organisers are available for interview throughout National Science Week.

Read on for direct contact details for each event, or contact Tanya Ha, [email protected] or 0404 083 863; or Shelley Thomas, [email protected] or 0416 377 444.

Media centre here. Images for media here.

Space farmers wanted – Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and national online

It’s Day 530 on the moon base and you’re eating packaged slop again… until a delivery of nutrient-enhanced microgreens arrives from Earth. Your mission is to sustainably grow and harvest edible plants in an extreme environment. But first you need to learn the basics of plant biology, food chemistry and farming approaches that minimise water, energy and resource use.

The ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space is supersizing its mission to develop out-of-this-world future foods by enlisting public participation in ‘Grow 4 Launch’ experiments.  

Participants will receive a microgreens kit complete with seeds, hydroponics gear and test tools, alongside guidance on how to alter plant sensory traits (colour, taste, smell and texture) and investigate conditions that help sustainable growth.

The project also invites participants to submit recipes, results and ideas for a Spacefood Cookbook which will also feature contributions from astronauts, nutritionists and chefs.

Multiple dates and locations. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/grow-4-launch-grow-test-imagine-the-future-of-food-in-space/

Media enquiries: Lieke Van Der Hulst, [email protected] or 0449 846 067.

 

Can AI cultivate sustainable farming? – Acton, ACT

How will farmers use AI to boost sustainability and profit?

AI agronomists, seed-planting farmbots, pest-detecting drones, and robotic noses geared for evaluating wine and beer could be part of the answer.

Researchers are busy cultivating its use to selectively control weeds (saving on herbicide); figure out the perfect time to water crops; and identify grapes damaged by bushfire smoke.

Meet the experts when the Australian Academy of Science hosts ‘AI in Food’ at Canberra’s Shine Dome (as part of its series of talks on ‘AI in Science: the promise, perils and path forward’), featuring:

• CSIRO’s Dr Sarah Hartman who is using deep learning to develop an AI agronomist that works for and with farmers.
• University of Melbourne’s Associate Professor Sigfredo Fuentes, who uses high-tech digital instruments for agriculture, food and wine, alongside his role as investigator at the Plants for Space ARC Centre of Excellence.

Tuesday 12 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/ai-in-science-the-promise-perils-and-path-forward-ai-and-our-food/acton/

Media enquiries: Dan Wheelahan, [email protected] or (02) 6201 9444.

Dr Sarah Hartman and Associate Professor Sigfredo Fuentes are available for media interviews.

 

Deadly pollen: are you at risk of thunderstorm asthma? - Beechworth, VIC

Thunderstorm asthma, a condition triggered by high levels of pollen during a storm, can cause severe asthma attacks, even in people who have never had asthma. People who get hay fever might be at risk.

Allergy sufferer, scientist and Superstar of STEM Dr Kira Hughes is bringing asthma education to regional Victoria – a place where high grass pollen levels make it vitally important.

While thunderstorm asthma events are rare, around 40 per cent of all worldwide events happened in Australia and have resulted in hospitalisations and even deaths.

Kira will share the science of thunderstorm asthma, why Australia is a hotspot, and the innovative solutions in development in a free presentation at Beechworth Library.

Saturday 9 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/thunderstorm-asthma/beechworth/

Media enquiries: Martyn Pearce, [email protected] or 0432 606 828.

Kira Hughes is available for media interviews.

 

Be a Top End biosecurity expert for the day – Katherine and Berrimah, NT

School students will meet the scientists on the frontline protecting Australia from exotic pests and diseases arriving from all directions, threatening agricultural and livestock industries.

The Northern Territory is a biosecurity buffer for the rest of Australia, and home to booming primary production industries from cattle to cotton, mangoes and honeybees. Below events are open to schools.

Wednesday 13 August – explore the Northern Territory Government’s Katherine Research Station. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/science-spectacle-and-ag-adventures-at-katherine-research-station/lansdowne/

Friday 15 August – confront mysterious pathogens and race to find the antidote in ‘Survivor: Northern Territory Biosecurity Quest – Zom-Bee Apocalypse’ at the Berrimah Farm Science Precinct. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/survivor-northern-territory-biosecurity-quest-zom-bee-apocalypse-2/berrimah/

Media enquiries: Anne Lobo, [email protected] or 0447 131 167.

 

Fertilising young minds: school ‘field trips’ to renewable farms, food labs and cellar doors – Riverina region, southwest NSW

Grow Our Own is taking high school students behind the scenes of working labs, cellars and paddocks of New South Wales Riverina food bowl.

Free excursions aim to inspire young people to consider future careers in the region, covering everything from the science of winemaking to agricultural engineering, renewable energy farms and more.

Grow Our Own is an industry-led alliance of business, education, and government agencies who seek to inform and inspire young people to live, work and learn within the Riverina region.

Thursday 7 August – Friday 22 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/grow-our-own-stem-industry-tours-2025/

Media enquiries: Katie Pastro, [email protected] or 0499 572 051.

Songs from the grapevine – Adelaide, SA

Spoilage yeast automated tractors, screw caps, smoke taint and volatile organic compounds all presented in song.

The Australian Wine Research Institute will uncork its ‘best of’ scientific findings spanning seven decades in ‘Songs from the Grapevine’ in collaboration with singer-songwriter Max Savage.     

Thursday 7 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/songs-from-the-grapevine/adelaide/

Media enquiries: Max McHenry, [email protected] 0415 922 253.

For a sneak preview of the show, watch/listen to Autonomous Tractors.

 

Is it easier to grow food on Mars than in the South Australian Outback? – Oodnadatta, Andamooka and Copley, SA

That’s the curious question behind Science in the Outback Pub events organised by the Outback Communities Authority in partnership with the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plants for Space.

Achieving food security is a key challenge for remote communities and disproportionately impacts First Nations Australians. Events will be held in Oodnadatta, Andamooka and Copley, where communities have demonstrated an interest in and capacity for independent food production, including controlled growing environments, community gardens, solar and desalination facilities.

Plants for Space scientists will share insights on future food missions, in Space and on Earth, and explore how their research, technologies and processes could benefit Outback communities.

Multiple dates and locations.

Media enquiries: Grayson Cooke, [email protected] or 0415 428 906 and Lieke Van Der Hulst, [email protected] or 0449 846 067.

 

VR farming, AgBots, and strawberry sundaes – Royal Queensland Show, Brisbane, QLD

Discover them all at the Ekka. Gumboots optional.

Children of all ages can join the ‘Ekka Learning Trail’ – a self-guided tour that showcases Australian Curriculum linked educational activities grounded in AgScience topics.

Saturday 9 – Sunday 17 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/the-royal-queensland-show-ekka/bowen-hills/

Media enquiries: Veronica Carew, [email protected] or 0408 323 631 and Kelly Hawke, [email protected] or 0438 340 989.

 

About National Science Week

National Science Week is Australia’s annual opportunity to meet scientists, discuss hot topics, do science and celebrate its cultural and economic impact on society – from art to astrophysics, chemistry to climate change, and forensics to future food.

First held in 1997, National Science Week has become one of Australia’s largest festivals. Last year about 3 million people participated in more than 2,000 events and activities.

The festival is proudly supported by the Australian Government, CSIRO, the Australian Science Teachers Association, and the ABC.

In 2025 it runs from Saturday 9 to Sunday 17 August. Event details can be found at www.scienceweek.net.au.