Geological cabaret; Trekkies in space; balloon veggies; blooming brilliance
Dozens of Science Week stories around Canberra
- Striptease meets ‘dirty’ science in a geological cabaret
- Space film festival founded by refugee and Trekkie explores a ‘better future’
- Balloon veggies persuade kids to eat healthier foods
- The sound of cosmic collisions: a musical exploration of space-time
- Flower power: what is Australia’s most amazing wildflower?
More on these highlights below.
National Science Week in the Australian Capital Territory is coordinated by Inspiring the ACT. Visit their website: inspiringtheact.org.au.
National Science Week in ACT: highlights
Striptease meets ‘dirty’ science – Canberra
Canberran researcher Dr Karina Judd presents a smart, sexy, adults-only exploration of geological and earth sciences.
By day, Dr Judd conducts science-engineering-social science research at the Australian National University collaboration to make the zero-carbon transition more people-friendly.
By night, she moonlights as ‘Roxie’ in her one-woman cabaret Rock Hard! The Geological Cabaret, winning the 2026 Science at the Fringe Award.
“Funny and bold … an enjoyable learning experience!” – judge’s comments, Adelaide Fringe Festival.What to expect? Cocktail hour geology with sultry songs, smouldering dance, sharp wit and a shimmer of burlesque. No safety glasses required.
Friday 14 – Saturday 15 August.
Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/rock-hard-the-geological-cabaret-2/canberra/
Media enquiries: Dr Karina Judd, karina.judd@gmail.com or 0448 318 748.
Dr Judd, who wrote and produced Rock Hard! The Geological Cabaret, is available for media interviews. She studied environmental geology at UNSW Sydney, specialising in soil and mineral chemistry before completing Honours in geology showcasing soil chemistry techniques as a useful tool in identifying past tsunami. And she is a seasoned performer of cabaret, burlesque and dance.
See ANU profile: cpas.anu.edu.au/people/karina-judd
Space film festival founded by refugee and Trekkie explores a ‘better future’
Former IT professional-turned-filmmaker Masoud Varjavandi found strength watching Star Trek while growing up in a Baha’i family persecuted in Iran during the 1980s.
Today, he shares stories for a better future through Canberra’s Space Faring Civilisation Film Festival, featuring award-winning sci-fi and documentary shorts.
Masoud says: “This isn’t about escapism. It’s about reminding people that progress, peace and a better future are still within reach.”
Free stop-motion animation workshops will be held in Canberra’s shopping centres in the lead-up to the Space Faring Civilisation (SFC) Film Festival on Sunday 23 August.
The SFC Film Festival’s mission to bring together the next generation of filmmakers and science storytellers, culminating in a full-day event that includes creative workshops, Q&A panel, and screenings of award-winning sci-fi and documentary shorts with a positive perspective on science and space exploration.
Sunday 23 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/2026-space-faring-civilisation-sfc-film-festival/canberra
Media enquiries: Masoud Varjavandi, masoud@sfcfilms.com, 0432 902 619.
SFC Film Festival director Masoud Varjavandi is available for media interviews. View the 2025 Highlight Reel.
Balloon veggies persuade kids to eat healthy – Canberra, Condor, Denman Prospect & Holt
Move over balloon animals, these balloon fruits and veggies are getting kids eating healthy (note: please don’t eat balloons). Former reality tv star, molecular biologist and official balloon scientist Dr Chloe Lim has partnered with the University of Canberra and Nutrition Australia to create Foodie Fun Play! This hands-on adventure lets curious little eaters explore nutrition through storytelling, science and sensory experiences. Perfect for kids aged 3-8.
Chloe founded edutainment venture, Twistyfic, and made the finals of Channel 7’s TV show, Blow Up.
Saturday 15 August – Saturday 22 August. Multiple dates and locations.
Media enquiries: Dr Chloe Lim, chloe@twistyfic.com, 0401 118 648
Dr Chloe Lim is available for media interviews. Photos available for media use here.
The sound of cosmic collisions: a musical exploration of space-time – Acton & online
The most violent events in the universe create elements such as gold, platinum and the iodine in human blood. Dr Karelle Siellez is listening to the aftermath of these massive kilonova through electromagnetic radiation ad gamma-ray bursts. She will explore the ‘sound’ of cosmic collisions, and what these signal reveal about the universe, during public talks across the country as part of the 2026 Marie Curie lecture series.
Karelle is an astrophysicist and lecturer at the University of Tasmania. She contributed to the first detection of a gamma-ray burst and gravitational waves from the same cosmic event, recognised with the 2017 Breakthrough Prize. She is also an award-winning science communicator who integrates art, sound, and storytelling into her work.
Monday 17 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/2026-marie-curie-lectures-painting-the-universe-a-visual-and-musical-exploration-of-space-time-with-dr-karelle-siellez-2/acton/
Media enquiries: Dr Karen Livesey and Dr Karen Siu (Marie Curie Tour Co-ordinators), wip@aip.org.au or 0478 260 533
What do you think is Australia’s most amazing wildflower? – online
ABC Science wants Australians to discover our hidden “flower power”, the kind you find in botanical gardens rather than hippie communes.
With the help of experts, ABC Science has selected ten flowering plants from across the country.
Not just another banksia or waratah, but blooms from the unsung understory that also do something unbelievable. These ten wildflowers are more than just a pretty face; each one hides a surprising superpower. The public will decide which is the most amazing.
Voting to decide Australia’s most amazing wildflower will start just before National Science Week in August, with the winning bloom announced on Friday August 21 in a live broadcast on Radio National.
Wednesday 5 August – Friday 21 August. To find out more and vote, go to www.abc.net.au/wildflowers.
For interviews with Dr Ann Jones, contact Rob Caulley, ABC Publicity, Caulley.Rob@abc.net.au.
