WA: Ingigenous tech, Broome’s Festival of STEM, Matt the Feral Cat
National Science Week in WA
Our early picks of highlights
- Noongar axe making – Kondinin
- Bomb bacteria with beanbags at the Broome STEM Festival – Broome
- Meet Matt the Feral Cat – Albany
More on each of the highlights below.
National Science Week in Western Australia is coordinated by Inspiring Western Australia. Visit their website: inspiringwa.org.au.
Noongar axe making – Kondinin
Wadjak and Balardong Noongar man Dylan Collard wants to share the technology of his ancestors, who were Australia’s first engineers and technologists.
He’s giving Kondinin locals the opportunity to sharpen their skills and learn about First Nations science through an axe making workshop. He will guide participants through the process of creating an axe (kodj), including preparing the materials – grinding balga sap, charcoal, and yonga goona (kangaroo poo) – and creating fire through friction with a stick.
Monday 19 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/the-first-scientists-2/kondinin
Bomb bacteria with beanbags at the Broome STEM Festival – Broome
Extract DNA from strawberries, join yarning sessions on First Nation science, and ‘kill’ bacteria with mini beanbags at the second annual Broome STEM Festival.
The festival brings scientists, educators, displays, and activities from the Telethon Kids Institute to WA’s Kimberly region to provide fun, free education sessions for students and community members. The event aims to celebrate and highlight scientists from the local region as well as promote science as a potential career opportunity. The festival will also explore the principles of two-way science, highlighting the rich tradition of Indigenous Australian scientific knowledge.
Wednesday 7 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/broome-festival-of-stem-2/broome
Media enquiries: Caitlin Sweeney, caitlin.sweeney@telethonkids.org.au or 0425 437 605.
Touring medical research scientists available for media interviews. Images and video from last year’s event available.
Meet Matt the Feral Cat – Albany
A play that explores the CATastrophic impact our feline friends can inflict on possums, phascogales, lizards, and other local creatures in the Great Southern.
‘Matt the Feral Cat’ uses the magic of puppetry to highlight the threat of cats to native wildlife, the science behind their control, and how we can all protect species.
Working with Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, locals will create a giant feral cat puppet using recycled plastic waste material and local native animal paper puppets from paper material that usually ends up in the bin.
The event culminates in a musical play about ‘Matt the Feral Cat’ to highlight local species, their threats, and protective measures that can assist their protection through community and scientific collaboration.
Friday 16 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/matt-the-feral-cat/albany
Media enquiries: Jenni Loveland, jenni.loveland@ohcg.org.au or 0409 572 240
Sarah Comer, regional ecologist with the Dept of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is available for limited media interviews.