This year’s theme is Innovation, and there have been so many innovative events happening all around Australia in the last week. There was the winner of the Shirty Science competition’s ‘Most Excellent Science Shirt’ – Beyond the Stars, which is a visual representation showing the connection between the vast scales involved in the study of…
Category: Science Week News
DIY Science: Homopolar Electric Motor
What you need 50 cm uncoated copper wire (e.g. picture-hanging wire) AA battery neodymium magnet, cylindrical in shape with a diameter similar to that of the battery (available from hardware stores) Safety warning Keep neodymium magnets out of reach of children and away from people with pacemakers. Strong magnets may snap onto metal objects with…
DIY Science: Gelatine Colour Diffusion
What you need measuring cup 50 ml cold water and 200 ml boiling water 2 tablespoons powdered gelatine* heat-proof jug, metal teaspoon, and knife small bowl or cups (clear or white will look best) food colouring (various colours) in dropper bottles *Vegan substitute: 1 tablespoon agar powder. After Step 3, heat the agar mixture in…
DIY Science: Magic Coin Trick
What you need 5 coins of the same value, each from a different year small bag or box What to do This is a magic trick to be presented to a group of people who have NOT read these instructions. Lay the coins on a table and ask a volunteer to look at the coins….
DIY Science: Erasable Pens
What you need erasable pen paper or cardboard What to do Write a message to a friend on the paper or cardboard. Rub out the whole message with the eraser on the pen. Give the cardboard to your friend and whisper in their ear to tell them how to reveal the message – they need…
DIY Science: Water Bottle Pinhole Prank
What you need empty plastic bottle with a lid pin sticky tape water What to do With the lid on the bottle, use the pin to make a series of small holes in a line around the bottle. Wrap a piece of sticky tape around the bottle so it is covering all of the holes….
DIY Science: DNA Extraction
What you need 1⁄2 cup of cold water 1⁄2 teaspoon table salt 2 teaspoons dishwashing liquid 3 large strawberries isopropyl alcohol (64% v/v), available at pharmacies knife and chopping board, small bowl, fork, fine sieve, small glass and toothpick or tweezers Safety warning Isopropyl alcohol is a highly flammable and volatile liquid. Use in a…
Welcome to National Science Week 2023
It’s the week you’ve been waiting for! National Science Week has now officially started, and there are some great experiences to get involved in. Check out these great events this weekend that are helping to kick-off National Science Week: Saturday 12 August The Midlands Biodiversity Hot Spot is Tasmania’s only nationally recognised biodiversity hot spot….
Sapphire Coast Science Festival
For over a decade the Sapphire Coast Regional Science Hub and Sustainability Education Network (SCRSHSEN) has been celebrating National Science Week by hosting the Sapphire Coast Science Festival. The festival highlights the amazing biodiversity of the region and the work being done by local organisations and scientists to raise community awareness of, and engagement with,…
MUP Book Packs for National Science Week 2023
Melbourne University Press have put together three science-themed book packs for National Science Week. To order a pack, email Dominika at MUP. Postage is included in the price. Please allow 10 days for delivery. The offer ends on 31 August. Gold Pack Eleven books for $279 Beyond DNA, Benjamin Oldroyd (NEW! coming in September 2023),…