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  1. Think Ahead Exhibition, Scienceworks. Children exploring the "Life in Space" installation. White panels, space ship like interior.
    Photograph: Dianna Snape | |
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  2. Exterior of the Scienceworks building, main entrance
    Photograph: Benjamin Healley | |
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  3. People touching circular screens showing projections of outer space, in the Beyond Perception exhibition at Scienceworks
    Photograph: Benjamin Healley | |
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  4. Scienceworks Lightning Room demonstration with young audience, 2005.
    Photograph: Rob Blackburn | |
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Scienceworks

Want to know more about how the world works? Scienceworks has plenty of answers to your questions
  • Museums
  • Spotswood
Nicola Dowse
Written by Nicola Dowse
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Time Out says

Younger Melburnians have fond memories of Scienceworks. It's not surprising – the interactive science and technology museum is geared towards getting children excited about science through first-hand experiences. But that doesn't mean that grown-ups can't get in on the excitement too. 

There are guided tours, changing exhibitions, demonstrations and special activities daily. The Planetarium, with its huge domed ceiling replicating the night sky, is always a huge hit. On Friday nights the planetarium transforms into a domed cinema for adults, with films transporting viewers to outer space, coral reefs and black holes. You can even set yourself up with a sneaky drink to accompany your film. 

For a shocking experience check out the lightning room shows – there's nothing like man-made thunderbolts to make science fun. Over in the Sportsworks exhibit kids can try to beat Cathy Freeman or try out what it's like to snowboard. Scienceworks is also an autism friendly museum with social scripts and maps showing high and low sensory spaces in the museum available on their website. 

Have a curious mind? These are the best museums in Melbourne. 

Details

Address
2 Booker St
Spotswood
Melbourne
3015
Transport:
Nearby stations: Spotswood
Price:
Up to $15
Opening hours:
Daily 10am-4.30pm

What’s on

Dome Under Festival

Hold onto your eyeballs – Scienceworks is hosting the latest edition of its captivating Dome Under Film Festival this summer. For the fifth consecutive year, the festival will showcase new release fulldome films from around the world across. The program spans three days, from January 31 until February 2. Wondering what on earth a ‘fulldome film' is? Naturally, it’s a film that’s been specifically made to be screened on a planetarium’s huge domed ceiling. The Melbourne Planetarium dome stretches an impressive 16 metres with a state-of-the-art surround sound system, creating an AR-like experience. Now you know!  The festival is the only one of its kind in Australia and the 32 films featured promise to be the cream of the crop, hailing from 15 countries. The weekend will be split into multiple themed sessions including ‘astronomy’, ‘mind blowing art’, ‘future visions’ and ‘family’.  Tickets are $20 per session for adults, $17 for concession, $12 for children and $10-15 for members. Find out more and get tickets here. Looking for more things to do in Melbourne? Here's our guide to what's on right now.
  • Film festivals
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