Setting the mood for the erotic-themed evening will be a DJ from BoomBox 2 U. Barry White is definitely on the playlist. Photo: Questacon.
While pollen season is still a couple months away, there’s already talk of reproductive habits and all the quandaries that come with it at Questacon.
Every year the National Science and Technology Centre runs a couple of adults-only events – and tonight they’ll be hosting an evening for people to begin Flirting With Science.
“Last year’s theme – nostalgia – was our first one back after COVID. It was super popular and we wanted to keep that momentum going,” says Questacon’s Tourism and School Group Coordinator, Rebecca Kiddey.
“This one explores all that’s involved with love, sex, and attraction. It’s designed for people to enjoy the process of developing a STEM mindset (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), and foster a sense of belonging to what can sometimes be an overwhelming subject.”
From 5:30 pm to 9 pm, guests will be able to roam through the centre riding solo or with their beau and take part in a fun-filled educational journey that asks how the world around us works.
“We have a jaw-dropping Sex on the Beach show with Alice Ryder, exploring the world of animal reproduction in the ocean,” Ms Kiddey says. “Think David Attenborough’s expertise crossed with Harry Styles’ sex appeal, along with a hint of slime.”
At the start of every hour, the Japan Theatre will have guests bear witness to a flatworm penis-fencing competition, the lessons our snogging taught us about shark sex, and a breakdown of Finding Nemo that may hold you back from ever watching it again.
Next to ‘The House of Temptation’, AKA Atomic cafe, will be a Truth or Dare cupcake store. Customers will be asked to select a cupcake at random, and take on the directive labelled underneath them. Photo: Questacon.
In the QLab there will be an exhibit called Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places. Ms Kiddey says this is where participants can “dissect organs and explore the biological systems around us through the overarching narrative of the search for love”.
Guests will be able to pass through the centre with a beer, wine or themed cocktail like their ‘Watermelon Sugar’ gin martini, ‘Are you up?’ espresso martini, or passionfruit daiquiri ‘Passionate affair’. These can be collected from the two bars open on the night, Little Desires on the ground floor, and Second Base which will be right next to the Get Your Rocks Off exhibit on geoscience.
Every half hour from 6 pm, the Big Bee Energy puppet show will take guests through lessons on pollination and botanical reproduction. Photo: Questacon.
At the very top of the centre is an appropriately named section called The Moon. There you can take part in a sexual health trivia game run by local NGO Meridian, all in the name of learning and fun. Those who answer the questions on STIs and blood-borne viruses correctly will receive a prize that will help keep them in the safe sex sphere.
Also on The Moon is a space for guests to experiment with condoms, with the idea being it will normalise the handy tools for barring the miracle of life. They’ll get to test their durability and strength, by racing to put them on demo models, blowing them up like balloons, and packing as many balls into them as possible to witness the extent that they can stretch. Ms Kiddey says Questacon is also open to ideas on other ways you can experiment with the plastic contraceptives.
Those interested in attending tonight’s event can find more information and tickets on Questacon’s website.
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