The 2013 NSW Regional Science Grants program is creating a network of enduring local partnerships throughout NSW.

Funding of $40 000 has been allocated to nine community partnerships that have each agreed to act as Regional Science Hubs.

While each Hub has been funded to deliver specific initiatives during National Science Week 2013 they will continue to work with other community initiatives in the longer term to present ongoing opportunities for science community engagement in their region.

Nine successful projects have been selected from a pool of 36 applications.

1. Central West Science Hub $6000 towards inaugural sustainability expo to be held at the Dubbo Regional Botanical Gardens Dubbo City Council will join Dubbo Field Naturalist & Conservation Society, River Smart Australia, Wambangalang Environmental Education Centre and Dubbo Regional Botanical Gardens to present a sustainability expo.
2. Murrumbidgee Science Hub $4000 towards a regional astronomy festival, Stars of the South West Skies Carrathool Shire Council is joining forces with Goolgowi Public School and South West Arts to present a regional astronomy festival including talks, workshops and a Stargazers’ Ball.
3. Eastern Riverina Science Hub $6000 to The Wired Lab in Cootamundra Cootamundra High School will hook up with Eastern Riverina Arts, The Wired Lab and the Distance Education Unit to present The Science of Sound, an art and sound workshop series at which participants will build their own modular unit.
4. Far South Coast Hub $6000 to Atlas of Life in the Coastal Wilderness who will launch an app for marine data collection and develop its ‘Science in our Place’ project Bournda Environmental Education Centre will partner with the Sapphire Coast Marine Society, Panboola Wetlands Trust and NSW Parks and Wildlife to develop and launch an app for marine data collection and present workshops to train participants in a biodiversity mapping project. $3500 to Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre Open Day Science by the Sea features talks, workshops and activities presented by the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre in in Eden in partnership with the EarthWatch Institute Australia, National Parks and Wildlife Service and others.
5. North Western Science Hub $6000 to the SMART Tree Project The Armidale Tree Group, Southern New England Land Care and Catalyst Club partner with New England Regional Art Museum and others to present a science meets art exhibition and workshop series entitled ‘Talking with Trees: Exploring SMART Trees from the Inside Out!’
6. Murray Science Hub $5000 towards the Charcoal Night project Murray Arts, Albury Wodonga Community College, Indigenous elders, environment groups and the Albury Wadonga Astronomical Society will join forces to develop workshops that will produce charcoal animations illustrating Indigenous astronomy. Final animations will be screened during the annual Border Stargaze festival.
7. Snowy Region Science Hub $2000 to Snowy Science – Joyful Exploration Snowy River Shire Council and the Lions Club of Jindabyne will be working with local high schools to create youth-led science talks, workshops and site visits to showcase the science in the region and create learning pathways for young people in the area.
8. Western Sydney Science Hub $1500 towards Be Inspired! Penrith South Public School will join the CWA Penrith, National Parks and Wildlife and the local Apple store to develop science activities for a Penrith mini science festival.