August 10, 2023

Community invited to celebrate National Science Week at UOW

UOW to host several free events to showcase diversity of science happening on Illawarra’s doorstep

The University of Wollongong (UOW) will be bubbling with activity next week as science enthusiasts come together to celebrate National Science Week (12 August to 20 August 2023).

National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology and UOW is hosting several free events to showcase the diversity of science happening on the Illawarra’s doorstep.

Associate Professor Theresa Larkin from the Graduate School of Medicine is the brainchild behind UOW’s National Science Week celebrations.

“We’re bringing together scientists across multiple disciplines and different stages of their study or careers to share fun science content that is suitable for people of all ages and from all walks of life,” Associate Professor Larkin said.

“I’m passionate about science and making it accessible to everyone and this is the perfect opportunity for the community to experience the diversity of science at UOW and to help us celebrate.”

Together with Stuart Creal, the Director of the Science Space, Associate Professor Larkin was successful in UOW receiving a grant from Inspiring Australia and the Australian Government to support National Science Week events on campus.

Members of the community are invited to attend a range of activities happening at UOW Shoalhaven, UOW’s Wollongong campus and UOW’s Science Space.

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Science Showcase at UOW Shoalhaven

The week will kick off with a Science Showcase at UOW Shoalhaven on Saturday 12 August from 10am to 3pm. The campus in West Nowra will be transformed into a science activities hub, with guided tours of the medicine and nursing teaching spaces; Fire and Ice Spectacular Science shows; a Dragon Training mobile zoo reptile display; Project Bucephalus robotics building; tours of the observatory; and interactive medical displays.

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Indigenous Science, Song-lines and Stars at UOW Science Space

On Tuesday 15 August UOW’s Science Space will host Indigenous Science, Song-lines and Stars, an evening event in the Planetarium at the Innovation Campus from 6pm to 9pm. This special event will include a night sky planetarium show; a presentation by Dr Robert Fuller from the Australian Indigenous Astronomy group on Aboriginal astronomy and song-line connections; and a preview of the ‘Lizard Island’ section of The Earth Above Planetarium show. This is a ticketed event.

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Live ABC Illawarra radio broadcasts

On Wednesday 16 August visitors to UOW will find ABC Illawarra presenters broadcasting live from Wollongong campus. From 8.30am Nick Rheinberger will broadcast Illawarra Mornings and from 3pm Lindsay McDougall will broadcast Illawarra Drive. The programs will both include interviews with UOW scientists from a broad range of disciplines including Indigenous science, environmental science, health and medical research, physics, climate change and more. Different science challenges involving the presenters and students will also take place, as well as a National Science Week quiz and day-long science competition.

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Allan Sefton Memorial Lecture

On Friday 18 August at 5.30pm Professor Dana Bergstrom, an applied ecologist who has worked at the Australian Antarctic Division for 20 years, will present on whether Antarctic science is worth the carbon miles. The Allan Sefton Memorial Lecture is held annually and is named in honour of the late Allan Sefton, who was well-known as a naturalist and conservator of the environment.

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Further information

For a full list of events that are taking place at UOW during National Science Week 2023 please visit the UOW website.