Last updated September 3, 2019 at 12:10 pm
Our daily guide for National Science Week in Victoria.
National Science Week is happening all across the country. Over in Victoria, there are many different ways to get involved in the national celebration of science.
Here are some of our picks for the 9 days of incredible science outreach and activities.
National Science Week officially runs from 11 – 19 August.
Saturday 11 August
Café Scientifique: the art of parasites – painting a new image
Join us for the launch of the stunning artwork Gula Guri mayin “Heal the Body” by Bernard Lee Singleton and animation by Russell Milledge and Tai Inoue followed by a lively café scientifique with Federation University researchers discussing art and science. Please book online for this free event.
Where: Art Gallery of Ballarat, 40 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat Central, VIC, 3350
When: 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Tickets: free, artgalleryofballarat.com.au/product/cafe-scientifique-11-august
More information: scienceweek.net.au/cafe-scientifique-the-art-of-parasites-painting-a-new-image
Sunday 12 August
Lit Up!
A spectacle reminiscent of the legendary White Night in Melbourne and Ballarat but here in Daylesford! This project is being developed by Daylesford SC Year 8 students with the guidance and direction of Andrew Howie a leading maker of 3D video content for music events & architectural facades.
Where: Daylesford Town Hall, Vincent Street, Daylesford, VIC, 3460
When: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Tickets: free
More information: scienceweek.net.au/lit-up
Monday 13 August
Science Festival – the science of science communication
In this talk we will discuss our new research on science communication, including objective measures of how effectively scientists communicate and how science utility might influence our opinions of our political leaders.
Presented by A/Prof Mark Quigley and Dr Jeremy Silver from the School of Earth Sciences.
Where: Malaysian Theatre, Melbourne School of Design, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010
When: 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Tickets: free, eventbrite.com/e/science-festival-2018-the-science-of-science-communication-tickets-47702831453
More information: scienceweek.net.au/science-festival-the-science-of-science-communication
Tuesday 14 August
How does hunger influence our behaviour?
Ever felt hangry when you get hungry? The drive to eat is essential for survival. Hunger-sensing neurons in our brain control our food intake to ensure we have enough energy for our day-to-day activities. However, these neurons also influence broader behaviours such as anxiety, fear, motivation and learning.
Rachel Clarke from Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute will discuss the science of how the brain responds to hunger and some of the ways this might impact our behaviour.
Where: Wheelers Hill Library, 860 Ferntree Gully Road, Wheelers Hill, VIC, 3150
When: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Tickets: free
More information: scienceweek.net.au/how-does-hunger-influence-our-behaviour
Wednesday 15 August
The Future of Space Travel
Let’s Torque and Sisters in Science present an exciting panel discussion on a topic that humans have puzzled over for centuries: space exploration. What are we doing in space? What might we find? What are the consequences? And, how can we best collaborate as we move further into the unknown?
Where: Royal Society of Victoria, 8 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000
When: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Tickets: $5 per person, trybooking.com/WVCH
More information: scienceweek.net.au/the-future-of-space-travel
Thursday 16 August
Immersive Science II: Revealing the invisible universe – Bendigo
Take a tour of the invisible Universe. We will provide everyone with a SciVR headset to take them out of this world to the world of colliding black holes and microscopic wonders.
Join Professor Alan Duffy and Dr Rebecca Allen to discover how Australian scientists are leading the way in probing the Universe through ripples in the fabric of space-time and providing unique views of the microscopic world.
Where: Goldfields Libraries – Bendigo, 259 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo, VIC, 3550
When: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Tickets: free, eventbrite.com.au/e/immersive-science-ii-revealing-the-invisible-universe-bendigo-tickets-46213468729
More information: scienceweek.net.au/immersive-science-ii-revealing-the-invisible-universe-bendigo
Find more SciVR events around Victoria.
Friday 17 August
Textual Data Sonification and Algorithmic Composition Competition Performance
The Textual Data Sonification and Algorithmic Composition Competition challenges participants to write computer programs that take any text as input, and generate sheet music that can be performed by an a cappella vocal quartet (soprano, alto, tenor, bass).
Where: RMIT University, Swanston Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000
When: 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Tickets: free
More information: scienceweek.net.au/textual-data-sonification-and-algorithmic-composition-competition
Saturday 18 August
Why you’re not dead yet
Neuroscientist Dave Farmer gives a comedic, educational talk about the arse end of the brain (aka the brainstem) filtered through Jackson Voorhaar’s non-educational comedy mind to help disseminate the information to the layidiot. Thanks for not laughing at disseminate.
Where: Loop Project Space & Bar, 23 Meyers Place, Melbourne, VIC, 3000
When: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Tickets: Adult $20, concession $15, trybooking.com/WWJE
More information: scienceweek.net.au/why-youre-not-dead-yet
Sunday 19 August
Public Outreach Astronomy: Nangiloc-Colignan
Southern Cross Outreach Observatory Project (SCOOP) is a mobile astronomical observatory designed to travel across states and carry out public astronomy activities. It is equipped with computerised telescopes for daytime solar and night time stellar and planetary viewing. SCOOP has also been associated with National Science Week since 2017, carrying out public outreach astronomy interstate.
Where: Nangiloc-Colignan District Primary School
When: 1:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Tickets: free
More information: scienceweek.net.au/public-outreach-astronomy-nangiloc-colignan
Check out SCOOP at their other pop up locations around VIC, NSW and SA.
