APPN celebrates National Science Week

APPN is celebrating National Science Week 2025 with NCRIS and the Australian Government Department of Education, to showcase the power of science and innovation.

National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science, engineering, mathematics, technology, and innovation. This year’s theme is:  Decoding the Universe – Exploring the unknown with nature’s hidden language.

So how does APPN help decode the universe and explore the unknown within nature’s hidden language? 

By using multispectral, hyperspectral, fluorescent and 3D imaging tools! 

Our team has a suite of technologies which help us uncover traits invisible to the naked eye. Our sensors can read hundreds of reflected wavelengths (we call it spectral data) from leaves, revealing insights into plant health (like water stress), pigment levels (which may mean disease onset) and nutrient content (such as nitrogen levels) long before symptoms appear.

We also have new technologies to shed light on the ‘hidden half’ of agriculture; the roots, soil, and the microbiome. Using our innovative rhizoboxes, the rhizolysimeter and X-ray CT scanning equipment we can now assess soil traits (moisture, nutrients, pH, etc), soil biology and plant root structure down to 3 meters below the surface! 

These tools help us make assessments of plant and root structure and function, so we can better understand yield and growth. This knowledge helps breed better plant varieties which produce more food, more sustainably, to feed our growing population.   

You can find out more about our technologies here: Australian Plant Phenomics Network | Fact Sheets

You can stay up to date on our research activities here: Australian Plant Phenomics Network | News from our blog

And don’t forget to participate in National Science Week activities! 

Running from 9–17 August, there are lots of online events to check out, as well as activity ideas for people to do at home or in their neighbourhood. Most National Science Week events are free and open to the public. Search this year’s events by your favourite topics here.

14 August 2025