Future Earth, life on Mars, and a gallery full of bloody science

Media releases, National Science Week

August a prime time to talk innovation and science—National Science Week kicks off 12 August

It’s time to plan your coverage of over 1,800 events across Australia for National Science Week from 12-20 August.

We have national touring speakers, and local events everywhere from the Tiwi Islands to Hobart:

  • the man behind the visual effects of Interstellar: Oliver James in Canberra and Melbourne
  • US science writer Dava Sobel, author of books The Glass Universe and Longitude in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Bendigo
  • the 17-year-old inventor of a build-it-yourself tablet, Taj Pabari—in Perth, Darwin and Brisbane
  • Australia’s Biggest Smartphone Survey—ABC’s national project
  • Australia joins the global Moonhack world record attempt for the most kids coding—national
  • Canadian astronaut and ‘Space Oddity’ Chris Hadfield coming to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne
  • Innovating Energy Summit: Powering Australia’s Future at Parliament House in Canberra
  • art meets science in ‘Blood’, the first exhibition of the new Science Gallery Melbourne
  • Future Earth science lessons in schools; science-themed Brain Break morning teas in workplaces

1,800 events across Australia during National Science Week, with more registered each day, including:

  • Life on Mars at the Sydney Opera House
  • ‘living fossil’ stromatolites in Shark Bay
  • a HealthLAB on wheels in the Tiwi Islands, and travelling through the Territory
  • Big Science Adelaide, bringing wine science, future cancer therapies and DIY virtual reality to the city
  • science over drinks at SciBar in Hobart.

See our pick of events here. Or search for an event in your area via scienceweek.net.au/events/.

To get our media releases in the lead up to and during National Science Week, register at scienceinpublic.com.au/bulletins or email tanya@scienceinpublic.com.au.

Australians will have opportunities to meet scientists, discuss the hot topics, do science and celebrate its cultural and economic contribution to society when National Science Week kicks off in August.

Running from 12-20 August, National Science Week 2017 is expected to reach more than a million Australians—with everything from science festivals, music and comedy shows, expert talks, art installations and performances, interactive hands-on displays, open days and online activities.

This year marks National Science Week’s 20th birthday. First held in 1997, it has become one of Australia’s largest festivals. Last year’s program saw 1.3 million people participate in over 1,800 events and activities.

The festival is proudly supported by the Australian Government; partners CSIRO, the Australian Science Teachers Association and the ABC; and sponsors Cosmos, Discovery Science, New Scientist and Popular Science.

National Science Week general media enquiries:

Tanya Ha – tanya@scienceinpublic.com.au or call 0404 083 863

Niall Byrne – niall@scienceinpublic.com.au or call 0417 131 977