Roses are red is a common saying but not always true, and it is definitely not the case for GG’s Flowers in Canberra. They specialise in spectacular rainbow roses and this National Science Week, you will get the chance to discover just how these beauties are created.
National Science Week returns to Canberra from 9–17 August 2025 with a powerful and imaginative program that explores the big ideas shaping our world — from artificial intelligence and health innovation to sustainability, storytelling, and the intersection of science and the arts.
And to celebrate the wonders of science, GG’s Flowers has joined Science Alliance to present a week of hands‑on activities that are open to all abilities, but specially designed for people with intellectual and cognitive disabilities and other forms of neurodiversity.
They will explore the science behind creating a rainbow rose with activities across five days, covering topics from capillary pressure (how plants transport water) using explosions, creating patterns with colour, physical changes in plants and some more explosions, and games to increase coordination as is needed to create such intricate and unique blooms.
These activities will be co-presented by young people with disabilities and will open your eyes to science that exists in our everyday lives, in something as simple as a rose.
GG’s Flowers is a Canberra-based social enterprise florist, proudly built by a family of six with big dreams and an even bigger purpose.
At the heart of the story is Gayana Wijewickrema, less formally known as ‘G’. She is a bright, cheeky, and curious 26-year-old young woman with Down syndrome. Gayana loves family outings, frozen yoghurt taste-testing, and giving out world-class cuddles. As she neared the end of her school years, her mum, Geetha, wanted to ensure she had meaningful opportunities to work, grow, and be part of a connected community. So, Geetha — armed with creativity and determination — trained as a professional florist and founded GG’s Flowers.
Brodie is a young woman who has been working for GG’s Flowers for 5 years, assisting with deliveries and is excited for the upcoming Science Week event.
“I like exploring and exploding stuff and watching science experiments happen,” she says.
As she delivers the flowers, she said that many people ask them how the roses are made and now she can share the amazing science behind it all, thanks to classes from Dr V from Science Alliance.
Science Alliance’s main goal is disability empowerment. They provide world-class programs for young people with intellectual disabilities, aimed at increasing their skills development. Dr V from Science Alliance runs regular science classes for adults living with intellectual disability.
Moss has been attending Dr V’s classes for one term now and says they’ve completely changed how they feel about learning.
“Until these classes, I have never been able to enjoy attending education. They have an emphasis on creating understanding at the student’s own level and lets each participant get it at their own pace”. They love the way Dr V teaches as “there are never too many questions, or never a bad question we can ask.”
Moss started attending the classes due to their science interest stemming from a love of dinosaurs. The first class they went along to included creating their own fossils and burying them for another class to dig up. They loved the interactivity and deep science learning these classes offered. They also noted “they are more than just learning science, the classes also help to develop confidence in the students”. Moss is excited to be assisting with delivering the Rainbow Roses program for National Science Week.
National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. Now in its 27th year, it brings together schools, libraries, universities, museums, and everyday science lovers in a nationwide festival of ideas and inspiration. To find out more about the activities you can participate in, visit scienceweek.net.au
This year, National Science Week in the ACT will be bringing science to you while you shop!
Come past Westfield Belconnen, Westfield Woden, South Point Tuggeranong, Cooleman Court, Gungahlin Marketplace, Majura Park Shopping Centre or the Canberra Centre to discover the exciting science behind reptiles, engineering, waterbugs, space, robotics, the environment and much more!
The ACT’s program is proudly supported by Inspiring Australia and the Australian Government in conjunction with the ACT Government and the Australian National University.
