Media release from the National Science Week WA Co-ordinating Committee
National Science Week returns from 10 – 18 August, to reveal spectacular and breathtaking discoveries of science and technology through more than 1,000 events across Australia, 240 of which will be in Western Australia.
For Western Australians, the week will launch with the spectacular Moonboorli (Beyond), a free youth-focused event and gathering place for culture, ideas, knowledge and storytelling, presented by Propel Youth Arts WA at the State Library of Western Australia on Saturday 10 August.
The Hon. Dave Kelly, Minister for Science, will officially launch National Science Week at the Moonboorli (Beyond) opening ceremony.
A highlight of Moonboorli (Beyond) and National Science Week, will be special guest Andrea Boyd, sharing her experience as the only Australian International Space Station Flight Controller at the European Space Centre in Cologne. She was also instrumental in helping create the new Australian Space Agency.
Science lovers can use ‘real-life’ forensic science techniques to solve a murder at Fremantle Prison with Murdoch University’s Science Behind Bars. Or sign up to Citizen Science Projects The Great Aussie bioQuest or the ABC’s Aha! Challenge.
Artificial Intelligentsia will present the Inspired Machines workshop to harness the power of machine learning to create art and music. And a panel of NASA scientists will discuss the big questions at Life on Mars, and if clues in WA’s Pilbara could soon give us answers.
The WA Maritime Museum will be running multiple activities to enhance their Planet Shark exhibition (6 July – 10 November), including Q&A forums, specialists lectures and a special shark theatre show for families.
And SCINEMA International Film Festival, presented by Australia’s Science Channel, will return to the big screen at the Perth Cultural Centre, showcasing the best science short film, documentary, animation and experimental films from around the world.
Perth Science Festival, delivered by Scitech, will return as part of National Science Week on 24 – 25 August at the Claremont Showgrounds, where families can immerse themselves in over 50 amazing hands-on activities, shows and demonstrations from Western Australian STEM experts.
National Science Week is one of Australia’s largest festivals and was first held in 1997. In 2018, approximately 1.2 million people participated in a staggering 2,100 events around the country.
This initiative is proudly supported by the Australian Government; partners CSIRO, the Australian Science Teachers Association and the ABC; and sponsors Cosmos, Discovery Science, NewScientist and Popular Science.
More information: www.scienceweek.net.au l Perth Science Festival tickets: https://bit.ly/2NZbLZH
Media Contact:
Susan Hoerlein,Public Affairs & Communications Specialist, Scitech
p (08) 9215 0733 l m 0422 553 343 l e susan.hoerlein@scitech.org.au