Launch today, 11 am, 17 April 2015, South Australian Museum with State and Federal Ministers and children’s activities on the lawns.
- From the ancient rocks of the Flinders Ranges to the mysteries of the Southern Ocean;
- From the chemistry of wine to the engineers who keep our submarines hidden;
- From life-creating research into fertility to life-saving stem cells;
- From growing wheat with less water to farming tuna;
Science is central to South Australia’s cultural and economic future. South Australia needs a science-aware community ready to make informed decisions in a rapidly changing world, and ready to grab science-driven jobs.
The State Government, Federal government, all three SA Universities and the South Australian Museum have joined forces to create a statewide science-engagement program as part of the national Inspiring Australia program.
The three year initiative will:
- Boost National Science Week activities in South Australia
- Catalyse arts, civic, community and science groups to join together in holding regional and suburban science events – from putting telescopes on streets to citizen science projects tracking plants and animals as they adapt to a changing climate.
- Build science event networks in regional and suburban centres
- Support the creation of science clubs.
The program will build on the success of the first three years of Inspiring Australia which included:
- See the Earth’s oldest animal fossils – training Flinders Ranges locals to be science communicators, working with them to develop the tourism potential of the region’s Ediacara fossils – national ‘Hidden Treasures’.
- Putting a portable planetarium on the road in the Eyre Peninsula.
- Creating 3D virtual tours of the 30,000 years old art and mining areas of Koonalda Cave on the Nullarbor.
- Putting young researchers’ discoveries in the national media spotlight through Fresh Science.
Media contacts
Andrea Murphy, Manager Communications and Marketing, South Australian Museum, 08 8207 7385; +61 475 834 072, andrea.murphy@samuseum.sa.gov.au
Lydia Hales (Science in Public), 03 9398 1416, lydia@scienceinpublic.com.au