Sunday 15 August 2021
Highlights from day two of National Science Week
432 events and exhibitions, 234 online activities, and dozens of great stories and talent.
Researchers, experts, and other interesting people available for interview around the country.
- VIC: How can families fight climate change?
- TAS: Making the greatest sourdough ever
- NSW: Deadly Science: Indigenous astronomy and modern bush medicine
- SA: Soil your undies for science
- NT: Rock stars and researchers: science in cabaret
- QLD: Make a melon go boom
Read on for more on these, including event contact details.
Also today:
National Science Week 2021 runs from 14 to 22 August. Media kit at www.scienceinpublic.com.au. Or visit the National Science Week website for more events and activities: www.scienceweek.net.au.
For general Science Week media enquiries:
Tanya Ha: tanya@scienceinpublic.com.au or 0404 083 863
Niall Byrne: niall@scienceinpublic.com.au or 0417 131 977
More about the event highlights
Promising to save the world – online (VIC)
Families are being encouraged to learn more about climate change and make a pledge – to do more for our planet.
What is happening to our natural environments in Victoria and what we can do about it?
Museums Victoria is creating a space for families to enhance their understanding of climate science and create a climate pledge for the future.
This webinar is suitable for families (recommended for children 8 and older).
Sunday 15 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/climate-change-families-for-a-thriving-future/ Media enquiries: Brigitte Gebbie, Senior Publicist, Museums Victoria, bgebbie@museum.vic.gov.au, 0415 676 120; Museums Victoria Media Team, media@museum.vic.gov.au, 0466 622 621
Deadly Science: astronomy, engineering and modern bush medicine – online (NSW)
Our first scientists, Australia’s Indigenous culture, learnt from the land, sea and sky.
From bush medicine, astronomy, engineering and forensic science to chemistry, land management and ecology.
Founder of Deadly Science and 2020 NSW Young Australian of the Year, Corey Tutt is available for interview.
Sunday 15 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/our-deadly-science/
Media enquiries: Sasha Haughan, sasha@articulatepr.com.au, or 0405 006 035; or Kym Elphinstone, kym@articulatepr.com.au or 0421 106 139.
Who started the sourdough baking craze? – Online (TAS)
Experts in the science of fermentation are on a quest to find Australia’s oldest sourdough.
Collaborating with The Sourdough Library in Belgium, the team is also aiming to bake the greatest sourdough ever while developing a masterclass on baking the Covid-19 lockdown daily staple.
Chef and sourdough expert Morgan Clementson is available to talk about our sourdough obsession, and how people can start their own ‘Ferment-Home-Station’.
Saturday 14 August to Monday 23 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/ferment-home-station/
Media enquiries: Dipon Sarkar, dipon.sarkar@utas.edu.au
Morgan Clementson is available for media interviews.
Soil Your Undies! – Murraylands & Riverland, SA
Better compost. Flourishing gardens. And healthier crops.
An experiment asking people to bury their undies is being staged to help determine what’s in different soils.
The observations will help determine what’s active in soils across locations such as farms, gardens, compost, crops and so on.
The Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board is asking people in those regions to take part .
Participants get a pair of 100 per cent cotton undies with their instruction kit.
Saturday 14 August to Monday 4 October. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/soil-your-undies/
Media enquiries: Jayne Miller, jayne.miller@sa.gov.au or 0467 762 107
Soil biologist Eliza Riger and citizen science coordinator Sylvia Clarke are available for media interviews.
The Big Watermelon Experiment: physics, forces and flying fruit – QLD
How many elastic bands will it take to make your watermelon explode? The Big Watermelon Experiment is a mass science experiment for school students. It has just one aim: to make melons go boom.
This nationwide event is guided by Dr Rob Bell, the former Scope TV presenter. See how to take part here.
Saturday 14 – Sunday 22 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/the-big-watermelon-experiment/
Media enquiries: Rob Bell, rob@experimentary.com.au or 0438 387 019
Rob is available for interviews. Photos and vision available.
A STEAMy Cabaret – Darwin
Three female scientists, musicians and a group of burlesque performers are presenting a STEAMy cabaret – that’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics kind of STEAM.
The showcase celebrates women in many roles – from nurturer to rock star, dancer to researcher.
Varied topics are tackled including feminism, fisheries, genetics and medical anthropology.
It’s an inspiring celebration of mind and body.
Sunday 15 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/science-and-sequins-a-steamy-cabaret/parap/
Media enquiries: Matt Fraser, matt@originalspin.com.au or 0401 326 007; or Amber Forrest-Bisley, amber@originalspin.com.au or 0405 363 817.
More about National Science Week
National Science Week 2021 runs from 14 to 22 August. First held in 1997, National Science Week has become one of Australia’s largest festivals. Last year about 1.1 million people participated in more than 1200 events, despite a global pandemic.
In 2021 there will be online events, virtual tours and experiences, DIY science and home-based activities held all around Australia. And there are some in-person events planned in line with local pandemic restrictions. Media kit at www.scienceinpublic.com.au; public event listings at www.scienceweek.net.au.