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Selfies in ‘space’; sex in the sea; rugby on the Richter scale; and what do scientists think of sci-fi?

ENTERTAINMENT highlights from across Australia this National Science Week

One-up your mate’s Bali pics with selfies in a replica International Space Station – Melbourne
This ain’t your mammal’s reproduction, in the adults-only Sex on the Beach Science Show – Canberra
What do experts make of the ‘science’ in Mars Attacks!? – Canberra
Can Raider’s fans move the needle? Earthquake experts will find out – Canberra
Brewing experimental beer, with interactive drink-along four packs – online and Hobart
Dr Karl, dinosaurs, furry friends, and a T-Rex autopsy show: all on the Sydney Science Trail – Mt Annan and Sydney
Plant-powered cars, Jurassic poop, the science of piracy, and more at Festival of Bright Ideas 2022 – Hobart
Battle of the boffins: which scientific field is best? – Hindmarsh, SA

More on these highlights below.

ScScientists, performers and event organisers are available for interview leading up to and throughout National Science Week: 13 to 21 August.

[Read more…]

The arresting drama of dementia; Antarctic prophesies; humanity as swarm, and more

Great National Science Week ARTS stories up for grabs now around Australia

Award-winning theatre based on real stories of dementia, with neurobiologist-led audience discussion – Adelaide, SA
Starlings flock; humans crowd; drones… zizz? Explore the swarm in this exhibition-cum-experiment – Parkville, VIC
Explaining cancer biology to young people through pop-culture, art and augmented reality – online
Antarctic explorers (both artistic and scientific) visualise their predictions for the future of an alien, vital continent – Wollongong

More on these highlights below.

Scientists, performers and event organisers are available for interview leading up to and throughout National Science Week: 13 to 21 August.

[Read more…]

How do collisions of rocks with planets help the planets evolve?

Planetary scientist Katarina Miljkovic is available to discuss the nature of planets in Hobart this week. It’s part of a national tour of public and school talks promoting opportunities for women in physics. Her free public lecture on Tuesday 9 August is part of National Science Week.

The planets in our solar system are vastly different although they all formed from the same cloud of gas and dust around a star – our sun. Why is this?

Associate Professor Katarina Miljkovic thinks the answers lie in studying how asteroids, comets and meteors bombarded the planets in the past, changing the surface conditions.

She works at Curtin University’s Space Science and Technology Centre and School of Earth and Planetary Sciences and uses data from several NASA missions.

[Read more…]

Sea Country, science on silos, daleks and drones, and Alzheimer’s takes centre stage

Dozens of Science Week stories around South Australia

Daleks, racing drones, and dinosaur droppings: Science Alive! is back – Wayville Showgrounds
South Australian landmarks set alight with science story projections – Barmera, Karoonda, Port Pirie, Quorn and Wallaroo
Alzheimer’s takes centre stage in acclaimed play – Adelaide
Insect corn chips and roasted seaweed: what will you be eating in 2050? – online via Adelaide
Stingrays in the stars: Indigenous knowledge of the sea – Port Adelaide
Tree scientist encourages gardeners to grow the urban forest – Adelaide, SA
Smaller, lighter, faster X-rays – Tonsley, SA
My Science Rulz, Your Science Droolz! – Hindmarsh, SA
Wattle vs woollybutt: what is Australia’s favourite tree? – online

More on these highlights below.

Scientists, experts and event organisers are available for interview throughout National Science Week.

[Read more…]

Growing skills and STEM careers this National Science Week

Media release from The Hon Ed Husic MP, Minister for Industry and Science

4 August 2022

The Australian Government is celebrating the work of our scientists this National Science Week, working to close the gender gap and inspire the next generation to be part of the highly skilled STEM sector.

Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic made the comments at Parliament House as he marked this year’s National Science Week, which will run from 13-21 August.

“Australia is home to some of the best and brightest scientists and researchers – and it’s an incredible talent pool that we want to grow,” Minister Husic said.

“The Government is determined to address the gender gap in our science and research sectors, to ensure that girls and women can see a place in that STEM talent pool and then to take a deep breath and dive in.”

[Read more…]

Fighting superbugs, life in space, microfactories, and what do Australians really think of science?

This year’s festival runs from 13 to 21 August, with thousands of events.

National launch with Minister at Parliament House – Thursday 4 August.

Scientists, experts and event organisers are available for interview leading up to and throughout National Science Week. Here are some early stories:

National: 88% of Australians trust science and scientists, but scepticism has increased slightly amid social media misinformation – 3M State of Science Index 2022 results reveal what we think of science
Canberra: First Nations Sciences of the Land: the official launch of National Science Week at Parliament House
Hobart: Dr Karl, a NASA astrobiologist, and 150 roving scientists walk into a science bar…
Adelaide: Daleks, racing drones, and dinosaur droppings: Science Alive! is back
Melbourne & online: Are you smarter than a TV personality? Charlie Pickering quizzes Nate Byrne, Lawrence Leung and scientists
Melbourne: Step inside the International Space Station and take a selfie
Perth: What does climate change have to do with human rights?
National, with Brisbane talent: 1,500+ rockets simultaneously launched around Australia
Darwin: Thunderbirds are go! Why have they gone? Ask a palaeontologist
Sydney: Fighting superbugs, big bad tech, caring for sky country, and microfactories making new materials from old – Sydney Science Festival returns.