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Dozens of stories and interesting people at 150+ Science Week events in Tasmania

• The barista scientist, the insect lover, and other Young Tassie Scientists tour the state.
• What did a voyage to Antarctica tell us about women in science? Meet the scientist studying the scientists.
• What do rabbits and sea urchins taste like? Fighting invasive species by making them gourmet—Launceston.
• Behind the scenes—how do you make an Attenborough documentary?
• From the ocean’s food chain to the good oil, why krill is crucial, and why Hobart is the krill capital.
• Whisky Academy: the science behind Tassie’s whisky boom—Strahan.
• Multiple Sclerosis: meet the Tassie scientists looking for solutions for the 23,000 Australians affected.
• Fluorescence—from forensic science to highlighter pens and spinach. Sydney chemist Elizabeth New reveals all.
• Tasmanian climate science experts on the big changes that are happening in our oceans and ice—local differences in global warming, sea level rise, acidification and reefs—Sandy Bay and Launceston.
• Trash in the tummies of seabirds, microplastics, and a surfboard fin made from recycled plastic waste: the problems and solutions of ocean plastic pollution.
• Do you have a healthy relationship with your smartphone? Researchers want to know.

More on these highlights below, and others at www.scienceinpublic.com.au/science-week, and on Twitter at @SciWKMedia.

[Read more…] about From Antarctica to ocean plastics, and fighting MS to the science of whisky…Tassie science on show

Highlights from Day 3 of National Science Week

344 events and exhibitions, 19 online activities, and dozens of great stories and talent, including:

Canberra (Parliament House): Innovating Energy Summit: how will we power our future?

Canberra: Ask the Interstellar visual effects wiz how to make a black hole on the big screen believable.

Melbourne: Will Australia’s biomedical research future be as bright as our past achievements? With Gustav Nossal, Anne Kelso and other research leaders.

Sydney:

• The science of Fred Astaire.
• City Recital Hall: Quantum science explained with an electric guitar.
• Time travelling brain: ask neuroscientist Muireann Irish how memory works.

[Read more…] about Making a black hole; Fred Astaire; quantum physics explained by electric guitar; biomedical and renewable energy summits; and more

Sunday 13 August 2017

Highlights from Day 2 of National Science Week

157 events and exhibitions, 16 online activities, and dozens of great stories and talent, including:

Melbourne:

• The science of food at Queen Victoria Market, with fruit DNA, zebrafish embryos, liquid nitrogen shows, hands-on experiments, and a marine touch tank.
• Discover the wildlife at Coolart Wetlands.

Sydney:

• The science of sharks and how to save them.
• How do we learn language?

Adelaide:

• What is colour? Pop-up science shows in Rundle Mall.
• What stories can maps tell you? Ask a State Library Explorer in Residence.

Townsville: Earth 2.0: are we moving to Mars?

Launceston: Beetles, bugs, spiders and creepy crawlies at QVMAG Science Open Season.

Canberra: What brings seeds to life? Germination in the nation’s capital.

Perth:

• Tiny eco-homes, native animals, big bubbly science shows, and more at Perth Science Festival.
• And meet the schoolboy inventor and innovator Taj Pabari.

Alice Springs: Can Alice Springs be 100% renewable energy powered by 2030?

Online: How healthy is your relationship with your smartphone? Scientists want to know.

More than 173 events, exhibitions and online activities on offer around the country today.

National and international talent, researchers, experts, and other interesting people available for interview around the country. Plenty of photo opportunities.

For general Science Week media enquiries:

• Tanya Ha – tanya@scienceinpublic.com.au or 0404 083 863
• Niall Byrne – niall@scienceinpublic.com.au or 0417 131 977

National Science Week has become one of Australia’s largest festivals. Last year saw a staggering 1.3 million people participate in more than 1,800 events and activities.

In 2017, National Science Week celebrates its 20^th birthday, with 2,000+ events registered throughout Australia— from insect Olympics in Darwin to ‘Blood’ at Melbourne’s new Science Gallery, to Antarctic science in the Apple Isle—with everything from science festivals, music and comedy shows, expert panel discussions, interactive hands-on displays, open days and online activities.

The festival is proudly supported by the Australian Government; partners CSIRO, the Australian Science Teachers Association and the ABC; and sponsors Cosmos, Discovery Science, New Scientist and Popular Science.

Visit the National Science Week website for the details of events in your area: www.scienceweek.net.au.

Saturday 12 August 2017

Highlights from Day 1 of National Science Week

170 events and exhibitions, 17 online activities, and dozens of great stories and talent, including:

Sydney: Your brain on fake news.

Canberra: What do you get when science meets street art? See ‘Co-Lab’ at Science in ACTion.

Bendigo: Before Hidden Figures, women made The Glass Universe, with US author Dava Sobel.

Melbourne: How does the smell of BLOOD make you feel? at the Science Gallery Melbourne.

Hobart: Ethical farming, the science of piracy and Hobart Hackerspace at the Festival of Bright Ideas

Adelaide: How does your brain work? [Read more…] about Your brain on fake news; an insect festival; science graffiti; and more

Dozens of stories and interesting people at 325+ Science Week events in Victoria

• Art meets science in BLOOD: Attract & Repel.
• A virtual reality look inside a plant cell.
• The science of food at Queen Victoria Market.
• Game your children’s interesting in science.
• Will Australia’s biomedical research future be as bright as our past achievements? With Gustav Nossal, Anne Kelso and other research leaders.
• What do actress Hedy Lamarr, nuclear physicist Lise Meitner and Nobel winner Marie Curie have in common? Their science stories on stage.
• Ask the Interstellar visual effects wiz how to make a black hole on the big screen believable.
• Can science make the world’s most liveable city even better?
• Are your genes your destiny? Gattaca 20 years on.
• What can we learn about ancient astronomy from Mayan ruins? Ask an expert from Honduras.
• Do you have a healthy relationship with your smartphone? Researchers want to know.

More on these highlights below, and others at www.scienceinpublic.com.au/science-week, and on Twitter at @SciWKMedia.

[Read more…] about Mayan astronomy; biomedical future; black holes on the big screen; a bloody Science Gallery; and more

Press release from: Senator The Hon Arthur Sinodinous AO, Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science and Senator for NSW

National Science Week, which I am delighted to launch today, provides a valuable opportunity for all Australians to meet scientists, discuss hot topics, do science and celebrate its discoveries and impact on our society.

This is the 20th anniversary of National Science Week and it will be held from 12-20 August.

It has become one of Australia’s biggest festivals with 1.3 million people expected to participate in more than 2000 events, including hands-on and online activities and competitions from the Tiwi Islands to Antarctica and Christmas Island to Cape York.
[Read more…] about National Science Week 2017 showcases key importance of science to the community

Media release posted on behalf of the New South Wales National Science Week Coordinating Committee and the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist

10 August 2017

Communities across New South Wales will have their eyes opened to the wonders of science and technology through a packed program of National Science Week events.

Close to 600 fun and family-friendly events will be hosted by universities, museums and research organisations across the state as part of the annual celebration of science, technology and innovation.

National Science Week, now in its 21^st year, provides an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of Australian scientists to the world of knowledge.

NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, Mary O’Kane, says it also seeks to foster a love of science in young Australians.

“National Science Week is a chance not only to celebrate really great achievements and advances in science; but also to stir our next generation of science minds,” Professor O’Kane said.

[Read more…] about Bumper program of National Science Week events to inspire families about wonders of STEM

Scientists in the shopping mall; the science behind the energy crisis; forensic facial reconstruction; and more

Brisbane

• Remarkable science careers: TV presenting, engineering sports tech, immunology with worms, and putting parasites in a book for kids
• Are batteries the answer for keeping the lights on? What’s Australia’s energy crisis all about? Find out at the Big Picture Energy talks
• Commonwealth Games sports science, medical science and making slime at Westfield
• Meet the curators, and a science sleepover at Queensland Museum
• The science of fireworks with the Brisbane Broncos
• Meet the ‘farmer robot’ at Street Science at EKKA
• Battle of the brains: who is the funniest physicist?
• Find out how facial forensic reconstruction works from the scientist whose work helped identify a Belanglo victim—also in Toowoomba

Regional Queensland

• Microbes cleaning up mine sites, how the land effects the Reef, and an ancient fanged kangaroo—talk with science’s female rising stars, touring Cairns, Cloncurry, Mt Isa, and more
• New MacDonald has a drone: how science is shaping rural futures—Charters Towers
• Art-science experiences in the tropics at Cairns

Everywhere: do you have a healthy relationship with your smartphone?

[Read more…] about Dozens of stories and interesting people at 260+ Science Week events in Queensland