Science Night – Sharks with Dr Emily Lester

Friday 29 May 2026

6:00pm — 9:00pm

Auslan interpreted

Adults only (18+)

Queensland Museum Kurilpa, Level 1

Adult	$48
Concession *	$40
Companion Card holder *	Free
*on presentation of Concession Card Prices include GST.

Step into SparkLab an adults-only night of science exploring why sharks matter… not as villains, but as vital guardians of healthy oceans and resilient reef systems.

Dive deep into the world of apex predators and living reefs as marine scientist Dr Emily Lester unpacks why sharks are essential to balanced marine ecosystems, how coral reefs support ocean life, and what happens when these systems are pushed to the brink.

From apex predators to sharing ocean stories, discover how protecting our sea predators helps safeguard entire reef systems, and why healthy oceans matter more than ever in a changing climate.

Science Night includes:

Dr Emily Lester will explore the huge 1.8m diameter Science on a Sphere globe suspended from the ceiling of SparkLab
Adults-only access to our interactive STEM space, SparkLab. This hands-on, selfie-friendly area includes 40 interactive exhibits across three zones. Science Night is a rare opportunity to access the whole space with an adults-only audience.
Live science experiments.
Live music
Drinks and light snacks available at the pop up bar for anyone seeking extra fizz or bubble.

Previous Science Night presenters

Dr Sara Webb - multi award-winning astrophysicist and science communicator
Clancy Lester - educator with a focus on bees, climate action and biodiversity
Dr Vanessa Pirotta - renowned whale scientist and author
Dr Todd Bond - leading marine ecologist
Dr Kirsten Banks - astrophysicist and science communicator.
Dr Matt Agnew - scientist, author, astrophysicist and TV personality.
Nate Byrne - meteorologist, oceanographer, science communicator and well-known ABC personality.

More information

This event is Auslan interpreted.
Our events are cashless, EFTPOS only.
All other areas of Queensland Museum Kurilpa close at the usual time of 5pm.

Accessibility

This event features:
Map icon, usually noisy Usually noisy
Map icon, low light Very low light
Map icon, seating area Seating available
Map icon, interactive and touch objects Interactive and touch objects
Map icon, light projections Light projections

For further accessibility information please visit our accessibility page or contact the museum on (07) 3153 3000.

Learn more

Dr Emily Lester

Emily Lester is a marine scientist who studies sharks, coral reefs, and the complex connections that keep our oceans healthy. Her research has taken her across tropical Australia and the Indo-Pacific, working with local partners and coastal communities to understand how predators, fishing, tourism, and climate change shape reef ecosystems, and how healthy shark populations can support thriving reefs and sustainable livelihoods. When she is not in the field or analysing data, Emily loves sharing ocean stories and sparking curiosity about the hidden worlds beneath the waves.

Illuminated globe suspended from ceiling

Science on a Sphere

This 1.8m diameter sphere suspended in the centre of SparkLab. It uses the latest digital technology from satellites and ground-based instruments to project over 570 global, environmental and planetary datasets onto its surface. Explore swirling ocean currents, animal migrations, plate tectonics, earthquakes, Jupiter’s moons and much more at the touch of a screen.

Developed by researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States, this technology helps users to visualise and understand the wonder of the world around us and Earth’s place in the solar system.

Learn more