Bat caves, eating bugs, beer science, and a NASA astrobiologist

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

Dozens of Science Week stories around Tasmania

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:

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

Media centre here. Images for media here.

National Science Week in Tasmania: event highlights

Join a NASA astrobiologist and 150 roving scientists for a drink – Hobart

NASA astrobiologist David Flannery, physicist Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, science journalist Natasha Mitchell, climate activist Craig Reucassel and other boffins will be up for a drink and a chat in Hobart.

About 150 roving scientists will be on the loose, talking to punters as part of Beaker Street Festival of arts and science at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.

They will also give talks and workshops and enjoy some science art, live music in a bar and Tassie food and drink.

Friday 5 August – Sunday 7 August. Event details: https://www.scienceweek.net.au/event/beaker-street-festival-2/hobart

Media enquiries: Laura Dyba, laura@vallisandco.com

Images available. Festival Founder Margo Adler and some event presenters and scientists are available for interviews.

Beer quenches scientists’ thirst for knowledge (online and live in Tassie)

Four brewers from around Australia will put on lab coats to craft experimental beers in a live-streamed event, hosted by scientists Kelsey Picard and Matthew Fielding.

The four brewers will represent Victoria’s Black Arts Brewers and Blenders, South Australia’s Shapeshifter Brewing Co, New South Wales’s Mountain Culture Beer Co and Tasmania’s Shambles Brewery.

Drinkers watching online can  order a 4-pack so they can taste the beers for themselves during the event as Kelsey and Matthew delve into the science of brewing.

Date: Friday 19 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/exbeerimental-science-2

Media enquiries: Matthew Fielding, matthew.fielding@utas.edu.au or 0417 167 618

Kelsey and Matthew are available for media interviews.

Plant-powered cars, Jurassic poop, the science of piracy, and more at Festival of Bright Ideas 2022 – Hobart

  • Cars of the future could be fuelled by plants, according to Dr Graham Walker. He’ll be exploring the future of energy, including solar power and storing carbon dioxide.
  • The singing palaeontologist Professor Flint explores the science of dinosaur droppings and the origin of faeces.
  • Find out about the science of piracy in Piratechniques 101, with ABC’s Lish Fejer (Pirate Captain ScungeBucket).
  • Plus, the science of circus trapeze, robot building, drug designing, bunny cuddling, forest secrets, volcano and lava science, and underwater creatures: more than different 40 science sessions, all under one roof.

These are just some of the speakers, activities and displays at the Festival of Bright Ideas, Tasmania’s largest public STEM event, at Princes Wharf 1 on Hobart’s waterfront.

Friday 19 August: Schools Day.

Saturday 20 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/festival-of-bright-ideas-2022/hobart

Media enquiries: Sarah Bayne, sarah@luminousevents.com.au or 0419 472 539

Bugs, bats, brains, and space junk: young scientists tour Tasmania

Meet Mars the computer scientist tracking space junk, Alyce the bat-woman working in caves, Dipon the cheesy microbiologist, Alex the ecologist turned tabby cat tracker, Ash the brain researcher seeking a stroke of genius, and Shasta the entomologist who can tell you all about bugs and why we should eat them.

These are just a few of the Young Tassie Scientists team — passionate early career researchers bringing science presentations and activities to schools and public events state-wide during August.

The group aim to inform Tasmanians about what’s happening in STEM research across the island, with a focus on reaching regional, rural and island communities. They’re also sharing their science stories in Hobart at the Festival of Bright Ideas.

Multiple dates and locations.

And at Festival of Bright Ideas: Friday 19 – Saturday 20 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/young-tassie-scientists-at-festival-of-bright-ideas/hobart

Media enquiries: Emily Attrill (she/her), emily.attrill@utas.edu.au or 0448 336 552

All of the Young Tassie Scientists are 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.