Western Australia

National Science Week is from 13 to 21 August 2011

National Science Week 2011 is almost here!  As the largest state with a diverse population, National Science Week in Western Australia provides an exciting opportunity to showcase the science, technology and innovation that drives our communities and our economy. There are many fun, fascinating and inspiring events and activities planned for all ages around Western Australia. Get involved!

If you are running an event or activity make sure you register it online to take advantage of extra promotion and to ensure it is counted towards the total number of National Science Week events. To do this visit the homepage of this website and click on 'submit your event' under the large map.

If you are thinking of running an event, or need further information regarding National Science Week in WA, contact Claire Patterson, the WA Coordinator.

Brain Break morning tea

Celebrate science and give your brain a break this National Science Week by holding a morning tea for friends or colleagues. Register your Brain Break by Friday 29 July to receieve a FREE National Science Week pack including quiz questions, activity suggestions, coasters and other promotional items. To register complete the online registration form.

What's on in WA?

Check out a range of events and activities happening in the Perth and regional WA by downloading our events flyer. All these events are free unless otherwise specified.

You can also find a selection of National Science Week activities planned for schools by downloading our schools flyer.

For even more events and activities visit the homepage of this website and click on the large map to find out what's happening in your area. If you are running and event and it isn't on the map make sure you register it as soon as possible!

Taster of events

Here you can find a taster of some of the key events happening in the Perth Metro area but check out the events flyers above for many more events throughout WA! Many events and activities are still being planned so keep your eye on the events map on the homepage of this website.

Scitech Comedy Debate

Comedians, media personalities and science communicators will engage in hilarious debate to settle the ultimate nature vs. nurture argument once and for all and decide if our personalities are born or made.
Date: Saturday 13 August
Time: 7.30-9.30pm
Location: Octagon Theatre, UWA, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley
Tickets: $23.00 plus 30c booking fee. Visit www.trybooking.com/SBT for online ticket sales
Other: 18+ event

Analogue to Digital

Analogue to Digital is a sound art and experimental music event for adults. The event highlights sound artists working in the fields of music that intersect with science and technology. There will be performances and a short talk, plus the Scitech exhibits will be open. Check the National Science Week website for performer details.
Date: Sunday 14 August
Time: 7.30-10.30pm
Location: Scitech, Sutherland St, West Perth
Cost: $10.00
Contact: Claire Pannell 9215 0850 or claire@scitech.org.au

Shopping Trolley Science

This event highlights the excitement of science by demonstrating the ground breaking research occurring in WA. Participate in hands-on activities run by local universities, watch a Scitech science show and explore interactive exhibits.
Date: Saturday 13 August (General public)
Time: 9am-3pm
Location: Armadale Central, 10 Orchard Ave, Armadale

What's it really like to work as a forensic scientist?

Ever wondered what it is like in a real forensic science lab? Hear from ChemCentre's forensic scientists about their fascinating work and its importance in our community, then venture through Scitech's feature exhibition, 'Whodunit?
Date: Monday 15 August
Time: 5.30-7.30pm
Location: Scitech, Sutherland St, West Perth
Cost: Free
Booking: Reserve your free ticket by visiting www.trybooking.com/SNL

Rain Reaction – Science Musicals

These educational science musicals celebrate the International Year of Chemistry and will emphasise that chemistry is a creative science involved in solutions to sustainable living, clean water, manufactured products and climate change
Date: Saturday 20 August
Time: 11am, 1pm, 3pm
Location: Scitech's Lotterywest Science Theatre, 45 min performances
Booking: No need to book. These special performances replace normal theatre shows and are open to Scitech visitors

Jurassic Perth

The creative minds from Scitech have joined forces with the techno whizzes at iiNet to create Perth's own virtual Jurassic Park, bringing dinosaurs into the CBD. Download the app, take a walk around the Murray and Hay Street Malls and see how many dinosaurs you can collect. You can even take photos of you and your new scaly friends that can only be seen through the phone to share.
Date: Saturday 13 - Sunday 21 August
Location: Perth CBD
Other: More information and a link to download the app will soon be available at www.scitech.org.au

Icebreaker Science

This will see teams of Scitech staff visit two Perth prisons to deliver exciting, hands-on activities. Inmates and their families will be encouraged to work together to complete a number of engaging experiments including making slime and creating giant bubbles.

NATIONAL SPEAKER EVENTS

Hanson Robotics

Don't miss these presentations by international tour guests, Hanson Robotics, as they explore their world of robotics technology, science and vision. Hear them talk about human-like robotics, the mechanics of robot faces, intelligent software, bio-inspire nanotech materials, cognitive science using robots and the application of these robots in research and the arts.

Bringing robots to life – public lectures

Date: Tuesday 16 August
Time: 6.30pm
Location: Edith Cowan University, Joondalup campus, Lecture Theatre Building 8 room 101.
Booking: Contact a.vanhatch@ecu.edu.au or 6304 3451

Date: Wednesday 17 August
Time: 7.00pm
Location: Curtin University, Elizabeth Jolley LT, Building 210
Booking: To reserve a seat visit http://curtinscienceweeklecture2011.eventbrite.com

Bringing robots to life - Schools lecture (yr 9-11 students)

Date: Tuesday 16 August
Time: 1.30 – 2.30pm
Location: University of Western Australia, Social Sciences Lecture Theatre
Bookings: Contact Chris Hale chris.hale@uwa.edu.au or 6488 1141

Free event plus a limited number of $100 bus rebates are available upon request

Professor Michael Cowley

Come along to hear internationally recognised physiologist, Professor Michael Cowley, as he delivers presentations about his work in developing drugs to beat obesity, diabetes and metabolic disorders. Professor Cowley will be delivering two public lectures and a schools event as below:

Developing drugs to treat obesity – public lecture
Date: Friday 19 August
Time: 4.15pm for a 4.30pm start. Refreshments and networking from 5.30pm.
Location: Curtin University. Bankwest Lecture Theatre. Building 200A, Room 220
Contact: events@curtin.edu.au or 9266 2563

How your brain knows how much you've eaten – public lecture
Date: Saturday 20 August
Time: 9.30am
Location: Murdoch University, Kim Beazley Lecture Theatre
Booking: Online bookings available soon at www.experience.murdoch.edu.au

How your brain knows how much you've eaten – High school lecture
Date: 19 August 2011
Time: 10.30 to 11.30am
Location: Curtin University. Venue tbc
Bookings: To book tickets visit the Curtin website or contact Curtin Science Outreach Coordinator on 92661021

Science Cafe

9.30am – 12pm, Wednesday 17 August, 2011, The University of Western Australia, Winthrop Hall

Professor Lyn Beazley AO, Chief Scientist of Western Australia, and the WA National Science Week Committee invite you and your students to the Science Café. WA scientists from a wide range of organisations will host a morning tea providing you and your students with a unique opportunity to speak one-on-one with them and receive practical knowledge about science career pathways.

The Science Cafe is now fully booked.

Activities funded by WA National Science Week seed grants:

ARC Centre for Excellence in Plant Energy Biology

This project aims to engage the WA adult pub-going community by providing quirky, funny and interesting scientific beer coasters and accompanying resources in predominantly Perth pubs

Badgingarra Primary School

"Wind, Gas and Oils – Nature's Chemistry Set." An interactive all-day gathering for the community to provide an awareness and celebration of the chemistry that takes place in the local area and environment.

Esperance Public Library

"Dinosaur discovery – can you solve the puzzle?" Interactive fun activities will introduce children to the work of palaeontologists and their discoveries

 School of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

"Art Under the Microscope" – an art exhibition based at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Art Gallery that will showcase captivating and beautiful images taken from research and diagnostic laboratories across Western Australia.

 WA Museum – Kalgoorlie-Boulder

This project involves bringing one or more speakers to the WA Museum's regional site in Kalgoorlie-Boulder to present public lectures and increase the profile of National Science Week. The speakers will also engage with students in a range of local campuses.

National Science Week Federal grants

The following grant applications were successful in Western Australia:

Click here for details of all National Science Week 2011 grants.

National Science Week 2011 is almost upon us but now is actually the time to start brainstorming about ideas for 2012. If you are thinking of applying for a Federal Grant for National Science Week 2012 feel free to get in touch with us  to chat about your ideas.

Receive updates

To provide updates on National Science Week in Western Australia we send occasional electronic newsletters to our WA subscribers. These newsletters contain updates on grants, planned activities and other important information.

Subscribe to the WA National Science Week electronic newsletter

Key contacts

Simon Carroll (acting Chair)

Email: simon.carroll@scitech.org.au
Phone: 08 9215 0730

Sarah Bassham (for media enquiries)

Email: sarah.bassham@scitech.org.au
Phone: 08 9215 0702

WA Sponsors