National Science Week refers to cycle of science-related events for the universal public which are held in a specific country during a nominated week of the year. The endeavor of such science weeks is to connect and motivate people of all ages with the latest science, engineering and technology. This year, present 2011; it will be the 14th year celebration of the National Science Week which is said to be an annual nationwide celebration of Australian achievements and capabilities in science. National Science Week is scheduled for 13-21 August 2011 at Adelaide, and there will be activities for everyone.
Australia’s National Science Week is held annually in August, funded through the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science and Research, by the government. National Science Week welcomes an audience of over a million calling all the people of the country and abroad and also hosts more than 1000 events across the nation. Science Week provides a prospect for all Australians to participate in events and activities that showcase science facts and encourages younger people to consider continuing studies in the science stream. A driving force of this annual event is the extremely popular National Tour. Past National Tour guests have included a few very famous names like the Arctic explorer and environmental scientist Tim Jarvis, NASA Astronaut Katherine Megan McArthur; environmentalist Tanya Ha; theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss; and paleontologist Scott Sampson.
Another key activity during National Science Week is the important, National Project, which is run in concurrence with the ABC Australia. Past project have included the Big Sleep Survey in 2010 and the Aussie Star Hunt in 2010. The basic aim is to increase society awareness and understanding of the role of science, engineering, technology and innovation in maintaining and improving our society, economy and the environment. Every year a National Science Week theme for schools is chosen to assist teachers focus and plan ways to engage students in National Science Week celebrations. The theme decided for school’s for the year 2011 is based around the International Year of Chemistry.
At the National Science Week there will be spectacular science shows, hands-on experiments, mini-planetariums, interactive exhibits, solar cars, electronics, native animals, robotics, flight simulators and much more. The variety provided at during the week is extremely spectacular. It includes events like,
·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.
· ‘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.
· 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 Probability Drive – the Math behind the Lucky Country – 6 City National Tour (Victoria)
A stand-up math comedy show looking at the math 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.
Many other events will be held during the week like the, Science Alive! , The Social Networking of Lizards, Rocket Science, Ice-breaker science and many more.
This is one week one should definitely not miss.