Indigenous astronomy, internet evils, the poo palace, and what will the Antarctic look like in the future?

2 August, 2022
Exclude from Home Page, National Science Week

Dozens of Science Week stories around New South Wales

More on these highlights below.

Scientists, experts and event organisers are available for interview throughout National Science Week.

Read on for contact details for each event, or call:

  • Tanya Ha – tanya@scienceinpublic.com.au or call 0404 083 863 or 03 9398 1416
  • Jane Watkins – jane@scienceinpublic.com.au or 0425 803 204

Visit ScienceWeek.net.au/events to find stories in your area using the event listing.

Media centre here. Images for media here.

NSW’s National Science Week launch with minister, science demonstrations and explosions, and kids with creepy crawlies – 8.00am, Friday 12 August, The Calyx, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

National Science Week kicks off with the launch of the Sydney Science Trail.

Launch event with:

  • The Hon. Alister Andrew Henskens MP, Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology
  • The Kids Connecting Nature team, building bee hotels
  • Denise Ora, Chief Executive Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, and the Australian Institute of Botanical Science
  • Kim McKay, Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Museum

Where: The Calyx, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney

Media enquiries: Stephanie Bedo, stephanie.bedo@botanicgardens.nsw.gov.au or 0427 613 263

National Science Week in NSW: event highlights

Dr Karl, dinosaurs, furry friends, and a T-Rex autopsy show: all on the Sydney Science Trail – Mt Annan and Sydney

See rare orchids, learn about First Nations medicine, and meet scientists from the Australian Institute of Botanical Science at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney and Mt Annan.

Ask Dr Karl about climate change solutions, hear about First Nations tools and technologies from the experts, meet a furry possum, and come face-to-face with the roving puppet dinosaur Winny the Muttaburrasaurus at Australian Museum.

The Sydney Science Trail is back in multiple locations across the city, with family-friendly activities, an expo, workshops, expert talks, silly science, and spectacular demonstrations.

Multiple dates and locations

Scientists and experts available for media interviews.

Media enquiries:

Fighting superbugs, big bad tech, caring for sky country, and microfactories making new materials from old – Sydney Science Festival is back

  • Discover how Professor Veena Sahajwalla created a new generation of green materials, products and resources, all formed from waste.
  • Former Google engineer turned design ethicist James Williams discusses how big tech companies manipulate and persuade us in the attention economy.
  • Hear former NASA astronaut Dr Mary Ellen Weber share recollections from an outstanding career and offer her insights into the ‘new space’ era of commercial space.
  • Caring for Sky Country: Karlie Noon and Krystal de Napoli discuss their new book Astronomy: Sky Country 2022 where they talk about bringing together Indigenous astronomical expertise and practices of caring for Sky Country and dark skies, with current issues in astronomical sciences.
  • Hear how First Nations cultural burning practices can reshape Australia’s response to climate change: Victor Steffensen in conversation with Nate Byrne.
  • Superbugs: By 2050, antibiotic resistant infections are projected to become the leading cause of death worldwide resulting in approximately 10 million deaths annually. Learn how Jon Iredell’s phage therapy research is fighting this threat.

Hear from compelling speakers on science’s hot topics. Sydney Science Festival is back with events in multiple locations around Sydney and online.

Friday 12 – Saturday 20 August. Multiple events and locations.

Media enquiries: Media enquiries: Siân Davies, sian@articulatepr.com.au, 0402 728 462; or Sasha Haughan, sasha@articulatepr.com.au, 0405 006 035

Most speakers are available for media interviews.

Saving the planet by gardening underwater – Lake Macquarie and Sydney

The NSW coastline has endangered underwater seagrass meadows that are badly in need of restoration. Posidonia australis seagrass meadows provide habitat for native aquatic species, improve water quality, help stabilise the seabed, and can capture carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests.

Experts from Operation Posidonia share the science behind the restoration of these habitats in NSW estuaries through workshops, a field trip and collaborative art projects. Focusing on underwater seagrass meadows found in two of NSW’s most developed coastal areas, the project equips participants with the knowledge and skills to become active citizen scientists in their own communities.

Saturday 13 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/gardening-below-the-surface-with-operation-posidonia-lake-macquarie/warners-bay

Saturday 20 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/gardening-below-the-surface-with-operation-posidonia-sydney/mosman

Media enquiries: Clayton Mead, clayton.mead@unsw.edu.au or 0425 325 899.

Operation Posidonia founder Adriana Vergés and researcher Clayton Mead available for media interviews.

Unstable internet connection: why we’re addicted to dopamine – online

Too much dopamine is making us miserable, according to US psychiatrist Dr Anna Lembke.

In the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma, Dr Lembke argues that social media is a drug and we are addicted to its 24/7 stimuli.

People need dopamine to be healthy and happy, but recent research shows that compulsively chasing pleasure can lead to overconsumption.

In this online event for National Science Week, Dr Lembke will explain how we can overcome the problem to form genuine connections.

Monday 15 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/addicted-to-dopamine

Media enquiries: Siân Davies, sian@articulatepr.com.au, 0402 728 462; or Sasha Haughan, sasha@articulatepr.com.au, 0405 006 035

Dr Anna Lembke available for media interviews (via telephone or online).

The future of the Antarctic envisaged by artists and scientists – Wollongong

Iceberg in blue water

What will the Antarctic look like in the future? Ask a team of artists and scientists who have been there for their research.

Antarctica affects the global climate and climate change is affecting Antarctica. For most people, it’s an alien landscape, but it’s also full of life and a vital barometer for climate change.

‘Another Antarctica: Envisaging Antarctic Futures’ is an interactive exhibition that presents Antarctic science, policy and different perspectives in a gallery space. It brings researchers and artists together to imagine potential futures for this important ecosystem. Guests will learn about Antarctic research with a series of interactive presentations and workshops within the gallery.

Date: Monday 15 August – Sunday 23 October. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/antarctic-futures/wollongong

Exhibition website: www.uowblogs.com/eco-antarctica

Media enquiries: Kate Mayhew, kmayhew@uow.edu.au or 0475 388 887.

Artist and curator Dr Brogan Bunt and scientists Dr Melinda Waterman and Georgia Watson are available for media interviews.

The Indigenous night sky, bush food, and technology – Redfern

Kangaroo skin clock with wooden tools

What can Aboriginal astronomy tell us about the night sky? How are native flora used in bush medicine and soap making? How do Indigenous Australians make axes from stone and other artefacts? What can deadly science tell us about seaweed, birdlife, engineering, textiles, and more? What can 60 000+ years of Indigenous culture tell us about sustainable living?

The Indigenous Science Experience at Redfern is a celebration of Indigenous and Western science, and the achivements of Indigenous youth and Elders. This annual event demonstrates the value of traditional and contemporary Indigenous knowledge in science and technology. Indigenous students assist in demonstrating activities.

Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/indigenous-science-experience-at-redfern-2/redfern

Media enquiries: Joanne Jamie, joanne.jamie@mq.edu.au, 0439 170 683 or 02 9850 8283.            

Indigenous student leaders and event organiser Joanne Jamie (non-Indigenous) are available for media interviews. View video from 2019 event.

Step inside the Poo Palace – Newcastle

Is the perfect poo a number two? No, it’s a number three or four on the Bristol Stool Scale.

Ask the experts about digestion, farts and faeces, gut health and good bacteria; and experience the journey food goes on.

The Poo Palace is a giant inflatable with tunnels and slides that re-creates the human digestive system. Children and adults will be able to experience the journey food takes along the digestive tract.

Great filming and photography opportunities.

The journey starts with children entering a ‘giant mouth’. Next, they slide through a tunnel representing the oesophagus and into the stomach, where they can play in a ball pen that represents the stomach with enzymes and acids. Then they squeeze through a tunnel that represents the small intestine, leading to the large intestine, which is another tunnel where they can jump and walk along the ribbed floors and walls. Finally, at the end of the large intestine they squeeze out through the bum and press a button that represents a bowel movement.

Other activities:

Sunday 21 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/hmris-poo-palace/newcastle

Media enquiries: Sam Cardwell, Sam.Cardwell@hmri.org.au or 02 4042 0049

Gut health scientists available for media interviews.

Wattle vs woollybutt: what is Australia’s favourite tree? – online

Do you love the water-bulging boab or the towering mountain ash, the world’s tallest flowering tree? Are you intrigued by the carbon capturing power of grey mangroves or the ‘living fossil’ story of the Wollemi pine?

The search is on to find Australia’s favourite tree. This National Science Week, ABC Science wants people to go online to explore the wonder and science of the plant kingdom, and vote for their favourite tree.

33 different tree species have been long-listed by ABC’s resident tree-lovers in consultation with horticulturalists so that people can get to know our natives and vote for their favourites.

Monday 1 – Friday 26 August. Visit: www.abc.net.au/trees.

Media enquiries: Laura Boland, laura@scienceinpublic.com.au or 0408 166 426

Experts available for media interviews. Media kit at: www.scienceinpublic.com.au/abc/trees.

About National Science Week

National Science Week is Australia’s annual opportunity to meet scientists, discuss hot topics, do science and celebrate its cultural and economic impact on society—from art to astrophysics, chemistry to climate change, and forensics to future food.

First held in 1997, National Science Week has become one of Australia’s largest festivals. Last year—despite a global pandemic—1.3 million people participated in more than 1,750 events and activities.

National Science Week is proudly supported by the Australian Government, CSIRO, the Australian Science Teachers Association, the ABC, and Cosmos magazine.

National Science Week 2022 will run from Saturday 13 to Sunday 21 August. Event details can be found at www.scienceweek.net.au.