National Science Week is Australia’s yearly celebration of all things science and technology. Photo: Ben Calvert.
Every year in August, schools, universities, research institutions, libraries, museums and science centres across Australia come together to celebrate everything science has to offer.
National Science Week 2024 is officially underway until 18 August, and there are plenty of activities for locals of all ages to participate in throughout the Canberra region.
For Jillian Matthews, National Science Week coordinator for the ACT, the annual event is an opportunity to connect scientists, researchers and educators with members of the wider community.
“National Science Week is a chance to showcase everything that makes Australian-led science great,” she says.
“It allows those who wouldn’t usually get the chance to interact with scientists and their research, celebrate our successes, and build interest in becoming a more science-literate society.
“On a personal level, I love seeing science happening in my area. You always hear about what’s happening overseas and interstate, but Canberra has so much to offer!”
On that note, here are just a few of the 150-plus events happening in Canberra this National Science Week.
National Science Week at Questacon
Where: Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre, King Edward Terrace, Parkes
When: From now until Sunday, 18 August
Cost: Activities included in admission unless stated otherwise. Tickets from $17.50 in the centre or online.
Questacon is celebrating National Science Week with a range of activities and events daily, including Science Time for early learners and Spectacular Science Shows in the Japan Theatre.
ReefUP! with The Chameleon Collective
Where: Libraries ACT, Antill Street, Dickson
When: 10:15 am to 11 am, Wednesday 14 August to Saturday 17 August
Cost: Free admission.
Reef UP! with The Chameleon Collective combines the latest scientific research with the magic of theatre, incorporating dance, music and captivating stories to highlight the beauty of reef ecosystems and teach students how to protect them.
Science in the Sanctuary
Where: Wildbark Learning Centre, 25 Rosenberg Street, Throsby
When: Saturday 17 August, 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Cost: Tickets $10 each, book on Wildbark.
Hosted by the Woodlands and Wetlands Trust, this event delves into the fascinating world of Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary with an array of fascinating topics, including First Nations science, eastern quoll movements, bush stone-curlew population dynamics, pookila conservation and more.
Artists James McGrath and Gary Sinclair are behind the mesmerising Ghost Trees exhibition, which is now open at the National Film and Sound Archive. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Ghost Trees at the National Film and Sound Archive
Where: National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, McCoy Circuit, Acton
When: Now open daily from 10 am to 4 pm, until Sunday 8 September
Cost: Free admission. Find out more at NFSA.
Ghost Trees immerses visitors in the endangered Rushworth Forest, encouraging reflection on humans’ place within and impact on nature. Soar through the canopy, tunnel underground and gaze up at ancient tree trunks recreated from real-world environmental data.
Unconformity Geology Tours
Where: Parliament House, Capital Hill, Parkes
When: Friday 16 August from 5 pm and Saturday 17 August from 10 am
Cost: Tickets from $56 to $75, available on Humanitix.
You may have visited Parliament House before, but have you ever ventured underneath it? Join an expert geologist from Geoscience Australia to discover ancient rock formations and glimpse the Canberra region as it existed 430 million years ago.
Government Scientists Group STEM Expo
Where: Great Hall at Parliament House, Capital Hill, Parkes
When: Thursday 15 August, 10 am to 4 pm
Cost: Entry is free; registrations can be made online.
Interested in exploring a career in government STEM? Meet the scientists, engineers, technologists, mathematicians and researchers working to solve Australia’s biggest challenges, including speakers from the Australian Antarctic Division, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, Australian Space Agency and Australian Institute of Marine Science.
Dark Matter in the Pub
Where: Badger & Co, shop 156-11 Joplin Lane, ANU Kambri Precinct
When: Friday, 23 August, 7 pm
Cost: Tickets are free; reserve your seat on Humanitix.
Dark Matter in the Pub brings together scientists and the Canberra community to explore the fascinating and mysterious topic of dark matter with interactive and entertaining presentations, a quiz, music, prizes and more.
HEDY! The Life & Inventions of Hedy Lamarr
Where: The Street Theatre, 15 Childers Street, Canberra City
When: Saturday 31 August, 7:30 pm
Cost: Standard tickets $35 each, book direct with The Street Theatre.
Heather Massie embodies no less than 36 characters in this solo celebration of Hedy Lamarr – a Hollywood film star and a genius inventor of technology that led to modern Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth.
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