Science Gallery Melbourne at the University of Melbourne is excited to welcome schools to a space created with and for young people.
Below is general information and resources to help you plan your school excursion.
Reach out if you need anything else (03 8344 1420 or school-bookings@unimelb.edu.au).
Planning Information
Duty of Care
As with all school excursions, the duty of care and responsibility for supervision and behaviour management of students travelling to, during and travelling back to school from a Science Gallery Melbourne excursion rests with the accompanying staff members from your school.
We also ask that you inform parents/carers and students about the Science Gallery Melbourne exhibition content and learning program in accordance with the information resources provided upon booking or in advance by request.
Supervision
We ask that the number of supervising staff from your school meet the Department of Education and Training Supervision requirements for day excursions of one to 20 staff-student ratio with a minimum of 2 staff.
Resources
Upon booking, teachers will receive a teacher resource and risk assessment summary to inform their own school’s excursion planning and risk assessment. These documents contain detailed information on our venue, exhibitions and University policies. If you would like to receive these documents ahead of booking, please email our Learning Officer.
COVID-19 Information
Vaccination Requirements
The University of Melbourne requires anyone attending our campuses to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (or provide a valid exemption) in line with the University’s COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements Policy. The University will require those 18 and over to provide proof of vaccination (or valid exemption) either prior to or on arrival at the University.
Contact Tracing
In line with our obligations to take all reasonable steps to manage and mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission on our premises, we require all visiting groups to agree to a mutual notification process should any member of the group who has been on University premises turn COVID positive.
The organising group lead is required to notify the host area as soon as reasonably possible that a COVID positive individual has attended a University location, providing the time, date and location that they attended. The host area will then notify the University’s Public Health Network. It is not necessary to provide us with any personal details of the individual.
Likewise, the University commits to providing advice to visiting groups if a COVID positive individual has been on site during a group visit or activity. The host area will notify the organising group lead as soon as possible to ensure they can take all necessary steps.
Accessibility
Science Gallery Melbourne is accessible step-free without assistance. The exhibition galleries have an infra-red hearing assist system and the education workshops have an audio induction loop (copper) system. More information and resources, including exhibit audio descriptions, a sensory map and visual storytelling document are available on our Access page. We ask that you please notify us in advance of any accessibility requirements that we should be aware of ahead of your visit.
Venue Information
Location
Science Gallery Melbourne
114 Grattan St
University of Melbourne
Parkville VIC 3053
Old Quad Gallery
Old Quad, North Wing (Building 150)
The University of Melbourne
Parkville VIC 3052
Bus Drop-Off Zone
The Science Gallery Melbourne bus drop-off zone (Google Maps link) is located on Grattan Street near the corner with Cardigan Street (on the northern side adjacent to the gallery). Please note there is no bus parking area available at Science Gallery Melbourne.
Public Transport
Tram: Melbourne University, Stop 1 (raised platform). Tram stop serviced by Trams 1, 3-3a, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72.
Train: Closest station Melbourne Central then a 10 minute walk up Swanston Street.
Bus: 402 Footscray-East Melbourne loops past Science Gallery Melbourne.
See the University website for more details.
Meeting Points
At the start time of your program, we will meet you at the Science Gallery Melbourne foyer.
Opening Times: Science Gallery Melbourne is open 11am-5pm, Tuesday to Friday. Old Quad is open 10am-4pm, Tuesday to Friday. So, if your excursion starts outside these times and you arrive early, please give us a call (03 8344 1420).
Toilets
Female, male, gender-neutral and accessible toilets are available at Science Gallery Melbourne. These are public facilities so please take this into consideration when planning your excursion staffing and supervision.
Bag Storage
Science Gallery Melbourne will provide a secure location for students to store their bags for the duration of the learning program.
Lunch & Breaks
We have public break spots suitable for all weather but we recommend Womin-djerring, an open-air public courtyard in the centre of the Melbourne Connect Precinct.
We encourage students to bring their own lunch. School lunches will be available for a fee from the Science Gallery Melbourne café. Pre-ordering directly with the catering company will be essential to allow the caterers to provide for large groups (link coming soon). There are also many other independent cafes and restaurants nearby, however, lunch breaks will be approx. 30-45 minutes so it may not be a practical option depending on your school group size.
Extend Your Experience
Ongoing University Activities
Campus Tours & Presentations (virtual and in-school options)
Billibellary’s Walk (cultural interpretation of the Parkville Campus)
STEM Outreach News
Want to be kept in the loop about all upcoming workshops, events and activities for secondary school students run by the University of Melbourne?
You can opt in to receive the quarterly STEM in Schools newsletter by filling out this form.