National Science Week Grants 2011

State	Project	Applicant Organisation
ACT*	SCINEMA Festival of Science Film 2011	CSIRO Discovery Centre
ACT	Canberra Family Science Spectacular 2011	CSIRO Discovery Centre
ACT	Who Could You Be?	The Australian National University
ACT	Facial Reconstruction in the National Portrait Gallery	National Portrait Gallery
NSW*	'Hey! You. Buy This Stuff'  - National Tour	Polymath Productions
NSW	Far Out Science	University of New England
NSW	Science Fact or Fiction	Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)
NSW	The Sydney Solar System Project	Christopher Lansell
NSW	Marvellous Molecules NSW	RACI NSW Branch
NSW	Engaging Indigenous Secondary Students from Rural NSW in Science	Macquarie University
NSW	Science under the Sea	National Marine Science Centre
NT	Science on Trial	CSIRO Education Centre NT
NT	Fun Run	Darwin Festival Association
NT	Career Pathways in Health Sciences Road Show: Thinking outside of the square!	Australian Health Promotion Association (NT Branch)
QLD	Gold Coast Science Fair	Gold Coast City Council
QLD	EKKA Pavilion: National Science Week - Ignite Your Imagination	The University of Queensland
QLD	Science for Life! at Queensland Museum South Bank	Queensland Museum
QLD	Townsville Dreaming	Townsville Intercultural Centre
SA	Science Alive!	National Science Week Coordinating Committee SA
SA	Mawson Lakes Science Week 2011	Rotary Club Of Mawson Lakes
SA	The Social Networking of Lizards	Flinders University
TAS	Young Tassie Scientists 2011 - Taking Science Around Tasmania	University of Tasmania
TAS	Savvy Science. Why Be Energy Efficient?	Australian Sustainable Schools Initiative -Tasmania
VIC	City Science 2011	CSIRO Education
VIC*	Great Big Science Gig	CSIRO Education
VIC	Science without Borders	Discovery Science and Technology Centre
VIC	Bugs on Legs and Critter Cuisine	The Scientwists
VIC	Would You Like Some Gene Technology With That?	The Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics
VIC	Collisions on Canvas: Art and Chemistry	University of Ballarat
VIC	Sci Spy	Monash University
VIC	Rain Reaction	Echelon Productions
VIC*	The Probability Drive - the Maths Behind the Lucky Country	Numbercrunch - Mathematical Communication
VIC	Rocket Science	Physics Students' Society - University of Melbourne
WA	Science: Get On Board	Scitech
WA	Reading the Country Kimberley Road Show	Environs Kimberley
WA	YOUth at A Sound of Science	Australian Association for Environmental Education
WA	South to North - The Direction of Science	Western Australian Museum Albany
WA	Shopping Trolley Science	Scitech
WA	Icebreaker Science	Scitech

*project has national activities

Project Descriptions

National Projects

SCINEMA Festival of Science Film (Australian Capital Territory)

SCINEMA explores the latest collaborations between science, film and art in over 500 cities and towns across Australia, introducing the latest in science and natural history filmmaking at screenings in museums, theatres, libraries, schools and universities. This project will also include a Student Science Film Competition which celebrates the International Year of Chemistry.

'Hey! You. Buy This Stuff' - National Tour (New South Wales)

'Hey! You. Buy This Stuff' is a science comedy show about the science and psychology of advertising, sales and persuading people to part with their money. This project is from the presenter of the 2010 grant project 'The Stupid Species - why everyone (except you) is stupid', Daniel Keogh and has support from ABC Science and Zapruder's Other Films.The hour-long show will integrate elements of stand-up, film, animation and experiments. It will tour to every state and territory across Australia.

Great Big Science Gig (Victoria)

A science rock cabaret that showcases cutting edge research and innovation in an accessible and highly entertaining way. It engages audiences through science demonstrations, audience participation and live music. The show features Australian research and innovation across a wide variety of topics and disciplines. The show will tour nationally to both regional centres and metropolitan areas.

The Probability Drive - the Maths behind the Lucky Country - 6 City National Tour (Victoria)

“Life is just a chaotic series of events without purpose or meaning... unless you are a mathematician. Then, everything makes sense.” A stand-up maths comedy show looking at the maths driving dumb luck specifically from an Australian perspective. This project is presented by Simon Pamena after his successful 2010 show "Planet of the Primes". The show will be aimed at ages 13 and up and will tour 6 capital cities. During the tour school shows will also be offered. Check out the review from a recent performance at the Adelaide Fringe Festival.

return to top

Australian Capital Territory

Canberra Family Science Spectacular 2011

Hosted at the CSIRO Discovery Centre, all of Canberra's science institutions come together to provide free hands-on experiments for our Experiment-a-thon, while our exhibition floor and grounds house reptiles, a petting zoo, a billy-cart competition, and tours of Australia's national facilities. The Spectacular is free educational science fun for the whole family.

Who could you be?

A project that will allow viewers to effortlessly control and embody a virtual character and allows users to effectively adopt a new skin or Avatar. By allowing the student to embody this character, it allows them to envision themselves as a successful scientist, hence the title; Who Could You Be? This project will be exhibited in a public venue in Canberra, with a portable version of the system toured around schools, as a way of directly engaging students.

Facial Reconstruction in the National Portrait Gallery

The public (18 years +) will be guided through the main stages undertaken in a facial reconstruction. The sessions will be held in public view in the main foyer and the project will display the facial anatomy/the stages involved in a facial reconstruction and an interactive demonstration for visitors to the Gallery. The project will culminate in a Scientist talk.

return to top

New South Wales

Far Out Science

This project highlights three events: ‘Consumer Chemistry’ gives shoppers to a local shopping centre the opportunity to see fun hands-on experiments demonstrating the applications of science. ‘Science in the Bush’ held at UNE for primary and secondary students from indigenous and remote areas participate in a day of science activities including hands-on experiments, quizzes and lively presentations. ‘Radical Wine’ invites members of the public to discover the science of wine. Attendees will have the opportunity to do scientific experiments and hear a series of short, entertaining lectures given by wine makers and chemists about the science of wine.

Science Fact or Fiction

A cinema style event where the audience will watch segments of popular Sci-Fi movies before ANSTO scientists and a high profile MC, critique the science featured in the film and conclude whether it is based on fact or fiction. The event will run for approximately 90 minutes and there will be two sessions run; a matinee featuring children’s movies and an evening session for adults.

The Sydney Solar System Project

This project is to display a 1:1 billion scale model of the Solar System along the Sydney foreshore. The Sun will be positioned at Bondi beach and the planets and other astronomical bodies will run south along the coast towards Maroubra. Each section of Solar System will have an astronomer present to educate the public about what the model is representing. Dr Karl Kruszelnicki will also conduct a guided tour of the model.

Marvellous Molecules NSW

Marvellous Molecules will conduct outreach events targeting school aged children, their parents or carers at various venues around Sydney. Through the colourful banners and hands-on building molecular models, the public audience will marvel at the marvellous chemical molecules in their everyday living including a Chemistry Show that includes participants carrying out some nifty chemical reactions.

Engaging Indigenous Secondary Students from Rural NSW in Science

This collaborative project between Macquarie University, Aboriginal elders and three northern NSW High Schools aims to engage rural communities in science through experiments relevant to everyday life. The program will train Indigenous students to deliver and explain hands-on experiments to junior students, parents and the wider public.

Science under the Sea

As a leader in marine science education and research, Southern Cross University’s National Marine Science Centre (NMSC) aims to promote greater awareness of the marine environment and scientific processes during Science Week through a series of hands-on activities/displays and presentation/lectures to the general public.

return to top

Northern Territory

Science on Trial

A 'legal' team of budding scientists will travel from Darwin to Alice Springs to expose the community to some of the pressing and current issues by putting the science 'on trial'. Local scientists and community members will be invited to appear as witnesses during the debate.

Fun Run

Fun Run is an interactive, free event combining sports science and artistic performance. In an ancient gladiator-style spectacle, our hero Humphrey pits his fragile, moderately trained body against the extreme physical challenge of marathon running amongst an elaborate set of technology, medical expertise, community support, fellow fun-runners and audience expectation.

Career Pathways in Health Sciences Road Show: Thinking outside of the square!

The road show aims to promote and celebrate the diverse career pathways of those people pursuing jobs in the field of health sciences in the Northern Territory.

return to top

Queensland

Gold Coast Science Fair

The Fair will build upon the base of fun and exciting hands on science activities delivered by education, industry and government. Our aim is to showcase local scientific talent, host a range of events, demonstrations and interactive activities raising the awareness of and interest in science by residents of the Gold Coast.

EKKA Pavilion: National Science Week - Ignite Your Imagination

The National Science Week EKKA Pavilion is now a reputable, integral feature of the Queensland Annual Show showcasing excellence in Science, Technology and Innovation in Queensland to the public. Participating organisations develop and provide interactive exhibits, workshops, science education seminars and giveaways for participants.

Science for Life! at Queensland Museum South Bank

The Science for Life! program will include a range of events such as: celebrating current research with museum scientists engaging the public to showcase museum collections, their work and careers in science; a feature public lecture presented by an acclaimed speaker; a collaborative event celebrating the International Year of Chemistry; hands-on activities and interactive exhibits; science theatre and science cinema.

Townsville Dreaming

The project will examine the night sky over Townsville picking out indigenous and conventional star constellations. Two storytellers, both indigenous and/or professional actors, will tell stories of the constellations drawn from both indigenous and non-indigenous myths.

return to top

South Australia

Science Alive!

A three-day festival, 2011 will be the sixth version of this constantly evolving mass participation interactive science event. The event will consist of a Careers Day for high school students on the Friday; a Business Networking event and National Science Week Launch on the Friday evening; and a weekend event for the general public with over 50 interactive booths.

Mawson Lakes Science Week 2011

A week of activities based at Mawson Lakes, comprising two community events and a fun filled day of activities for local school students in Adelaide. The school activities include science shows, hands on activities, static displays, science demonstrations, school displays and activities.

The Social Networking of Lizards

Flinders University and the South Australian Museum will have live lizards, specimens and story boards on display for the general public and school groups. As well as this showcase, each day a scientist will present an interactive talk and a hands-on mini DNA extraction practical to demonstrate how science is changing the way we think about lizards and the importance of biodiversity.

return to top

Tasmania

Young Tassie Scientists 2011 - Taking Science around Tasmania

Early career researchers who are passionate about their work and can connect with a range of audiences will present talks and activities based on their research to regional and remote communities around Tasmania. This program is aimed at increasing understanding, inspiring interest and providing insights into diverse areas of science and engineering.

Savvy Science. Why be energy efficient?

This program to the schools and communities in rural and/or isolated, disadvantaged areas of Tasmania will focus on growing each community’s understanding of the science and technology involved in energy. It will include a series of community forums, interactive workshops, and an education program for students. The schools will become resource information centres for the community to facilitate wider community understandings about energy.

return to top

Victoria

City Science 2011

‘City Science’ will be made up of a series of key events based in central Melbourne. The project managers will work with research, community and industry partners to develop a variety of performances, presentations, forums, demonstrations and discussion sessions based in well-known Melbourne venues. These will be designed to engage a range of different audiences, encouraging them to explore and learn about exciting science, technology and innovation.

Science without Borders

Science without Borders aims to take science out of its comfort zone, out of the lab environments and into the streets. Key events are a photo competition, a series of lunchtime Science Busks in main shopping areas, a Bendigo Business Council network breakfast, and three days of public shows hosted at Discovery which will engage audiences in science through theatre, drama, and fun.

Bugs on Legs and Critter Cuisine

In the face of a growing world food crisis, could insects be the next sustainable food source? Farmer’s Market and business lunch events will allow participants to try a range of bug delicacies, and learn about insects, nutrition, and sustainability through recipes, fact sheets and brochures, and live insect displays. Entomophagy experts and a chef will interact with participants.

Would you like some gene technology with that?

A mediated discussion between an expert panel and the general public about the use of genetic modification in the production of modern cereal crops will enable community members to raise discussion questions in advance, participate in live digital voting on scenarios and provide on the spot questions. The event will be filmed and further ongoing communication will occur online.

Collisions on Canvas: Art and Chemistry

Local scientists, artists and businesses come together to entertain and educate. Discover a fascinating world where art and chemistry collide on canvas as you learn about the papers, dyes, pigments, fixatives, fillers and strippers you use whenever you pick up a brush, pen or pencil. Talks and a public forum will be followed by workshops in which participants will manufacture and use pigments in communal artwork.

Sci Spy

Sci Spy provides the opportunity for the community to learn of the major work of industries, departments and educational providers in science and technology in the Gippsland region. Activities will include a panel of experts Q and A, “Science Soap Box” where experts will dispel common misconceptions about general science and discuss local research, “Movie Science”, a show case of science careers, and “Fun with Science” shows.

Rain Reaction

A new educational musical focussing on the concept of chemistry as a creative science, contributing to sustainable living, enabling clean waterways and impacting upon manufacturing industries and the issue of climate change will tour a number of cities during National Science Week. It will be a highly interactive theatrical performance for students featuring action packed narratives, appealing characters, loads of comedy, songs and dancing.

Rocket Science

This event involves the launch of a series of model rockets in a public park. The general public will be invited to observe and participate. Educational materials will be provided and University of Melbourne scientists, technicians and engineers will be sharing their knowledge and experience.

return to top

Western Australia

Science: Get On Board

Step onto the bus or train and be ignited by science! A poster campaign highlighting aspects of science relevant to commuters, such as energy efficiency, pollution control, sustainable cities and environmental management, developed by Scitech in partnership with Transperth, will be displayed throughout Perth metropolitan trains and buses promoting science and National Science Week to unsuspecting commuters.

Reading the Country Kimberley Road Show

A showcase of the many projects where science is being linked with traditional ecological knowledge in the major towns of the Kimberley will start in Broome and move onto Derby, Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek and end in Kununurra. In each town science displays will be presented in conjunction with local science/conservation project coordinators and scientists, offering opportunities for the community to engage in hands on science based activities with Traditional Owners and scientists on Country.

YOUth at A Sound of Science

Youth engagement and leadership is the focus of this community fair at the Canning River Eco Education Centre (CREEC). The sounds of animals, plants, humans and the Earth itself will be explored, led by science presenters, prominent Indigenous Elders and researchers. Innovative, creative sessions on the sounds of science will be investigated by the general public.

South to North - The Direction of Science

This program explores the way in which chemistry is constantly occurring in the natural world as well as the man made world and how this impacts on our daily lives. The program will travel as a road show of demonstrations, workshops and experiments to some of the most remote regional communities in the state and will involve educators and conservation and entomological scientists.

Shopping Trolley Science

A two-day science festival designed to inspire the general public and local school groups with cutting-edge science and technology currently being used in Western Australia, with a focus on Astronomy and the SKA. Using one of WA’s largest shopping centres, the event will incorporate live science shows and hands-on exhibits, as well as interactive displays and demonstrations from the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research and Astronomy WA.

Icebreaker Science

Icebreaker Science will take hands-on science activities into at-risk environments, to foster positive intra-family social interactions, and affirmative experiences with science. Taking place in family visit rooms at some of WA's juvenile detention centres and women’s prisons, the hands-on science activities will give a context that promotes conversations between family members, encouraging enjoyment with science, a positive attitude to science and an upbeat stance towards learning.

return to top