A Week of Science Australia Wide

National Science Week starts on Saturday, and goes for just over a week. Of course we have our very own Science Spectacular happening on the final day; Sunday the 23rd of August. There are lots of fun things to do including 8 classes, stalls, experiments and demonstrations.

But if you have a hunger for even more science, there are literally hundreds of events happening all round the country, and many in Melbourne. We’ve collected a bunch of them here, but you can find all of them on the National Science Week website.

A year of light

Did you know it’s the International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies? There are several events that engage with this theme:

  • Scienceworks has its Light Spectacular show, with lightning, LEDs, LCDs, lasers and even animals that emit their own light.
  • Carlton Connect Initiative is presenting an exhibition full of light-inspired art called Light Speculation at LAB-14 Gallery.
  • And the world’s largest hologram, an artwork by Australian artist Paula Dawson called ‘To Absent Friends’, will be on display at RMIT for one day only.

A fun day (or evening) out

Everyone heads to the Queen Victoria Market once in a while, and if you go on Sunday August 16, you’ll find Living Science. Focussing on where food meets science and technology, this will be a great for the whole family (hint: bring your kids!)

If you like your science in carnival form, Market of the Mind is for you. Starting in the early evening, checkout the sideshows and the live ice sculpture.

Think you’re a bit of a science buff? Test your mettle at Lost in Science Trivia against the Lost in Science team (including one of our popular teachers, Chris Lassig).

Aussies love their beaches, so head down to the Marine Education Science and Community Centre that will be running a wide range of science activities. From geology to current marine research, and even some history.

Finally, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute is running several events at Science in the Square, from the art of science to movie screenings, and discussions of what the future holds.

The featured image of the Hubble Space Telescope is from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and is borrowed and edited with thanks under a Creative Commons Licence.