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 21st 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.
“Sparking kids’ curiosity about science and mathematics is tremendously important because it opens their minds to how they might help solve some of the world’s big problems.
“I’d love to see every school kid encouraged to ask questions about the world around them and develop a passion for maths and science so that we have more people going on to do science and engineering.
“Exposure to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) through National Science Week is great first step on that journey,” she said.
The Sydney Science Festival is back, bigger and better in 2017 with a bumper program of activities and events to inspire and excite us about all things science and technology. The Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (the Powerhouse Museum), the Australian Museum and Inspiring Australia have teamed up this year to bolster the Festival’s reach – supporting more than 150 events across the metropolitan area.
Hundreds of other events will be held outside Sydney – many of those delivered by our dedicated network of 23 NSW Regional Science Hubs – to engage regional and rural communities and encourage an awareness of science.
Highlights from the National Science Week program in NSW
- Australian Museum Science Festival: 7000+ primary and secondary school children will participate in more than 400 interactive workshops, talks and shows from Tuesday 8 – Friday 18 August, while the Museum will also host the family-friendly ‘Super Science Saturday’ on Saturday 12 August
- The Sydney Olympic Park Science & Engineering Challenge at the Sports Centre, Homebush, from Monday 7 – Friday 11 August.
- ‘Science in the Swamp’ at Centennial Parklands on Saturday 12 August
- ‘Science in the Snowies’ in the Cooma Monaro region from Saturday 12 August
- ‘Family Science Sunday’ at MAAS (the Powerhouse Museum) on Sunday 13 August
- ‘Science in the Wild’ at The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan on Sunday 13 August
- Life on Mars: The 2020 Rover Mission at Sydney Opera House on Thursday 17 August
- The Innovation Games at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday 20 August
- Hunter Science Festival at Newcastle Museum on Sunday 20 August
- Riverina Science Festival at various locations from Monday 14 – Sunday 20 August
- Sapphire Coast Science Festival at Bega Civic Centre from Saturday 12 – Saturday 19 August
- ‘Research on show’ at Sydney’s universities throughout Science Week
National Science Week runs from Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 August 2017.
You can search events happening in your area by visiting: https://www.scienceweek.net.au/events/
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: TROY DEIGHTON (Prof O’Kane) 0477 364 649
JACKIE RANDLES (Inspiring Australia – NSW Manager) 0481 006 158