Northern Territory
The year ahead
2010 is shaping up to be another bumper year of artistic and scientific activity in the Top End. Keep an eye on the events map for a range of activities in August. This year the Darwin Festival is presenting two Science Week events. Here is a sneak peak of these events, for more info go to www.darwinfestival.org.au. The Darwin Festival full program will be launched on July 7th. For general enquiries about Science Week in the Northern Territory please contact our chairperson Paul.
After Hours at the Dinosaurs Museum in collaboration with Erth Visual and Physical Theatre.
An interactive show for children at the NT Museum. The show stars dinosaurs and integrates an outdoor “petting zoo” plus an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour, lead by the dinosaurs, inside the Museum after hours. Bring your torches and get set for a night-time adventure.
Footsteps on Blue Mud Bay in collaboration with Nomad Art.
A cross-cultural art project which commemorates the 150th anniversary of the publication On the Origin of the Species by Charles Darwin.
Artists, scientists and academics will gather together in Arnhem Land to create new work, record and share knowledge of the natural environment, traditions and change. This work will be showcased in an exhibition at 24hr Art, Darwin.
The First Astronomers?
In 2009 this event played to large crowds at the NT Museum and Art Gallery. Under the Milky Way, Bill Yidumduma Harney and Professor Ray Norris took the audience on a journey of the night sky.
Since its Darwin premiere The First Astronomers has gone on to represent the NT at the Australian Performing Art Market. We presented the shows on the banks of the Torrens River to over 350 national and international delegates.
We are currently in discussion with presenters across the country to showcase this unique partnership in 2010.
Key events in the NT in 2009
Bush Food of Arnhem Land
This project comprised a number of interactive workshops in which the culinary, botanical, cultural, nutritional value and potential business enterprises of bush food were investigated. The activities were conducted by local rangers, a bush chef, a botanist and science teachers. Activities were for the whole school community.
The Science of Entertainment 2: The Future
This was the sequel to the popular 2003 SMART show that probed the science behind movies. The new show used interactive multimedia, hands-on demonstrations and exciting audio/video clips to explore the future of entertainment and, of course, the science that makes it work.
So, what might the future of entertainment involve? Interactive systems, SGI, green screen, motion capture, composite images, Wii technology, audio pitch processing, rendering and much more!
The First Astronomers
This is a theatrical presentation exploring both the theory of CSIRO Astrophysicist, UK born Ray Norris and the traditional beliefs of Elder and Senior custodian of the Wardaman people, Ydumduma Bill Harney. To coincide with the 2009 Darwin Festival, Science Week and the UN International Year of Astronomy, The First Astronomers will bring together, for the first time, these two dynamic characters to promote and present their separate, yet hauntingly similar theories of Aboriginal astronomy in an entertaining and enchanting performance.
The Top End Science fair
This was a 3 day Science fair at the CSIRO Tropical Ecosystem Research Centre. The fair hosted a range of demonstrations and interactive hands-on activities highlighting the importance of Science and Engineering in our everyday lives.
SPONSORS
Key Contacts
Chairperson and media spokespeson:
Paul Lyons
CSIRO Science Education Centre
Ph: 08 8944 8495
Fax: 08 8947 1010
Email: Paul Lyons