2021 National Science Week

14-22

AUGUST

FOOD: DIFFERENT BY DESIGN

HOW WILL YOU SCIENCE DURING NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK? EVENT (WEBINAR)

AUSTRALIA’S INTERNATIONAL SPACE RACE Wednesday 18 August, 4:30pm–5:30pm Australia has always punched above its weight in science, technology andengineering and our foray into the international space race has been no different.

With the creation of the Australian Space Agency in 2018 we have only strengthened our position on the global stage, forging new opportunities and allowing us to work more collaboratively across states, agencies, and research institutes.

We’ve been in the race since the Moon landing, when Canberra’s Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station transmitted the first images back to earth, and we are creating the future space communications network using lasers.

Along the way we’ve supported many individuals to have successful space careers here and abroad.

Join us as we explore Australia’s contribution to the International Space Race, Past, Present and Future.

KATHERINE BENNELL

DR SASCHA SCHEDIWY

Assistant Manager, Leader Astrophotonics Chief Technical Office, Group ICRAR/UWA Australian Space Agency

WEBINAR SERIES

EVENT (VIRTUAL)

BEYOND THE LAB

UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE PUBLIC LECTURES

WEBINAR 1 Tuesday 17 August, 10:00–11:00am DATING AUSTRALIA’S ROCK ART Monday 16 August, 2:00pm–2:45pm WEBINAR 2 Wednesday 18 August, 2:00pm–3:00pm

WEBINAR 3 Thursday 19 August 12.00-1.00pm Beyond the Lab is a new schools engagement initiative for Years 8-12 students launched by the Australian Academy of Technology & Engineering (ATSE). During the webinar series ten 10 PhD STEM students, also known as Catalysts, will share their non-traditional career journeys.

The Beyond the Lab webinars are free, and will run during National Science Week. Secondary school teachers and students are encouraged to attend.

Presenters will include Catalyst Dr Edith Botchway and Catriona NguyenRobertson. Dr Botchway grew up in Ghana and enjoyed studying mathematics in school. After considering becoming an economist, she decided to pursue a career in neuropsychology instead. Now, she’s an Associate Research Fellow at Melbourne’s Deakin University. Catriona Nguyen-Robertson wanted to be a doctor when she was in high school. Now she’s an emerging leader in immunology and science communication.

If you’re looking to pursue a career in STEM, we encourage you to attend the webinars.

Australia hosts the oldest ongoing culture in the world with aboriginal rock art providing an important window into what Australia’s first people were doing and the things that were important to them when it was created. However, in order to understand how these remarkable artworks might relate to things like changes in the climate and environment, we must know how old it is.

In this talk, Dr Helen Green will discuss the different scientific techniques being used to date Australia’s rock art and the importance of integrating traditional knowledges and western science.

DR HELEN GREEN Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Earth Sciences

Scientists are curious by nature. In the spirit of National Science Week, we have collated a number of resources, virtual events hosted by STEM leaders and competitions to partake in to explore the joys of science at home. All of the events and competitions listed are free to partake in.

Click on the names of the events and activities to register and learn more.

EVENT (VIRTUAL)

SYDNEY SCIENCE TRAIL 13 August-13 September 2021

The Sydney Science Trail is a free online adventure filled with familyfriendly science programs, presented in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.

The annual program by the Australian Museum, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and other partners is an opportunity for curious kids of all ages and schools to think, talk and experience the science conducted at our organisations – from the study of the natural world and research into the effects of climate change to the exploration of the environmental knowledges of First Nations peoples.

The Trail is packed with on-demand activities, kids games and opportunities to learn both at home and in the classroom. Take the trail and be rewarded for what you discover.

Complete the science quiz at the end of each level and receive your badge–see how many you can collect!

And because it’s the United Nations’ International Year of Fruits and Vegetables, this year’s National Science Week theme is Food, so expect an investigation of sustainable food production, kitchen chemistry and managing food waste, applying science to solve real-world problems!

EVENT (VIRTUAL)

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TRACKING PYGMY BLUE WHALES IN THE EASTERN INDIAN OCEAN Tuesday 17 August, 11:00am-12:00pm

THE OCEAN’S CHEMISTRY IS CHANGING. WHY DOES IT MATTER? Thursday 19 August, 11:00am-12:00pm

Tagging and tracking the elusive pygmy blue whales of the eastern Indian Ocean is helping us to protect and manage this endangered species, particularly where their migratory route and feeding areas overlap with Australia’s largest oil and gas producing region.

Excessive CO2 emissions isn’t just an atmospheric problem, it’s changing the chemistry of our oceans and impacting ocean life.

Join Australian Institute of Marine Science’s Marine Megafauna Ecologist Dr Michele Thums for a special webinar to find out how her team is using acoustics and satellite tracking technology to better understand pygmy blue whale behaviour.

Join Australian Institute of Marine Science’s Senior Principal Research Scientist Dr Katharina Fabricius for a special webinar to learn about ocean acidification and how we can help mitigate it.

DR MICHELE THUMS

DR KATHARINA FABRICIUS

Marine Megafauna Ecologist Australian Institute of Marine Science

Senior Principal Research Scientist, Australian Institute of Marine Science

COMPETITION

THE EXPERIMENTAL COOKBOOK COMPETITION Closes 30 August Whether you’re a scientist or a chef, the Expermental Cookbook Competition is your chance to put your skills to the test. Win a cookbook featuring your very own recipe! Open to all Camp Australia children, partner school teachers and team members.

EVENT (WEBINAR)

QUANTUM SHORTS SCREENING AND Q&A Thursday 19 August, 5:30pm-7:00pm Join the Sydney Quantum Academy for a special screening of the Quantum Shorts Film Festival Finalists 2021 during National Science Week. This livestream event will feature a Q&A panel of quantum experts and a quantum shorts film finalist, discussing the movies and their take on quantum.

EVENT (VIRTUAL)

EVENT (VIRTUAL) + SCG

STEM HOUR: CONNECT, LEARN, GROW - FOOD FOR THOUGHT – PHILOSOPHICAL INQUIRY WITH CHILDREN Monday 16 August, 11:00am-12:00pm

NATIONAL SCIENCE QUIZ Thursday 19 August, 6:00pm-7:00pm Streaming on YouTube

“How does a cow turn into a sausage?”; “Why is it ok to eat cows but not whales?”; “Can I send my sandwich to a child who’s really hungry?”

Hosted by Charlie Pickering, of ABC’s The Weekly, the National Science Quiz brings together six of Australia’s best scientists and science communicators.

This online event is interactive, so you can test your scientific knowledge and reasoning and play along for a chance to win cash and prizes.

As part of National Science Week, The Little Scientists Australia’s webinar Open your imagination to the panel will discuss how children’s critical possibilities of a quantum future! Come questions can be addressed in an on a journey into the creative world of honest and age-appropriate way that quantum physics through the eyes of encourages further inquiry and supports ten winning short films. These stories, a constructive world view. Focusing selected from 224 films, from 52 on philosophical inquiry and critical countries tell a quantum story in under thinking in early childhood settings, five minutes. Each evokes a human story Clarissa Seeto-Regueira, centre director, – the way we might react to “a world Benjamin Kilby, teacher and philosopher, where the weirdness of quantum physics Alex Forbes, STEM teacher, and Jessica is manifest around us. Whether it is Danaher, dietitian and researcher, will children, or beguiling young adults, or a share ideas for critical reflection on the future society, I can feel the imagination food we eat: Where does it come from? of those films opening up my own.”

How is it made? Do all families eat the (Joshua Slater – QuTech). same foods?

The National Science Quiz is a celebration of the world of science.

Watch, join in, do both, or do either – whichever you choose the National Science Quiz will remind you how wonderful science really is!

Contact: Mr Rajnesh Ram

Cost: $25.00

CHARLIE PICKERING Australian Comedian

SCG COMPETITION

SCIENCE PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION Thursday 12-Friday 20 August, Submissions close 20 August Open to all Year 5-12 students Take three creative photos and submit with a short report. A chance for you to present ideas in science using your creative lenses.

Contact: Mrs Rojiwadiya, Mrs Angie Atal Carreon and Ms Iman Balla

Did you know that the 2021 National Science Week Theme honors the United Nations International Year of Fruits and Vegetables and the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development?

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

EVENT (VIRTUAL)

EVENT (WEBINAR)

HOW DID I GET HERE? THE TWISTS AND TURNS OF A STEM CAREER: HOSTED BY THE NATIONAL YOUTH SCIENCE FORUM Tuesday 17 August, 7:00pm-8:00pm Is a career in science, technology, engineering, or maths (STEM) something you’re considering?

BUILDING THE UNIVERSE, BRICK BY BRICK Saturday 21 August, 2:00pm-3:30pm

Maybe you’re looking for a career change, or you’re working for the first time in a STEM-adjacent role and want to know a bit more about careers in your new field.

Maybe you haven’t considered it as an option or don’t think you’re smart enough (which is a common myth!). Or maybe you help others consider their STEM career options, give career advice, and want to learn more about what programs and career tools are available. If any of these sound familiar, then this webinar is for you.

The National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) is delighted to present an online panel discussion, ‘How did I get here? The twists and turns of a STEM career’, featuring Australia’s Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM. Dr Foley will be joined by David Ball, Regional Director Australia and New Zealand, Lockheed Martin Australia, and Dr Sam Moyle, high school science teacher and the 2019 recipient of the Prime Minister’s Prize for Excellence in Science Teaching in Secondary Schools. The webinar will be hosted by 2016 NYSF alumnus Benjamin Millar, current Bachelor of Advanced Computing Honours student at the Australian National University.

Tune in to hear about our panel’s diverse STEM career stories, how they got to where they are today, and how they overcame hurdles along the way. Our panellists will provide insights on how you can find out about STEM careers and share some of the great resources available.

Many of the jobs that will be available in three to five years don’t even exist yet, and huge STEM workforce shortages are predicted in Australia and globally.

Don’t miss this inside view on a life in STEM from leading industry and education experts.

The universe started with a big bang.

Let’s retrace our steps back to the beginning of time, and create our own universes with LEGO. For National Science Week 2021, the Young Stars will build a model of the Universe as it grew from the Big Bang to today, using LEGO! The kids will get to see how matter evolved over billions of years, and get hands-on with their own LEGO, which we will provide for those in the ACT thanks to ‘Inspiring The ACT’.

Starting with the fundamental particles, represented by LEGO bricks, we will build up more complicated structures recreating the cooling of the Universe and fusion in Stars.

Each participant will be given a part of the Universe’s evolutionary timeline to build. Some will make ‘nuclei’ and ‘atoms’, while some will consider ‘subatomic’ particles.

DR CATHY FOLEY AO PSM Australia’s Chief Scientist

DAVID BALL Regional Director Australia and New Zealand: Lockheed Martin Australia

DR SAM MOYLE

BENJAMIN MILLAR

Join us in this cosmic adventure to build your own universe, brick by brick.

Bachelor of Advanced 2019 recipient of Computing Honours the Prime Minister’s student at the Prize for Excellence in Australian National Science Teaching in Secondary Schools; University High School Teacher

Professor Neena Mitter and her team’s world’s first Hass avocados, produced by trees grafted on tissue culture plants, are tasty, healthy, and disease-free! Learn all about her work here. We are looking forward to working with her next year.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PROFESSOR MITTER’S BREAKTHROUGH RESEARCH.

SCG COMPETITION Write a summary or review, or create a vlog of an online science week event/activity, and go into the draw to win a sponsorship to the value of $500 toward a science related purchase.

It could be toward a new computer, a trip to a science venue you’ve always wanted to visit: the only limit is your imagination.

Send your entry to community@scg.vic.edu.au before 26 August 2021.

EVENT (VIRTUAL)

EVENT (WEBINAR)

INDIGENOUS FOOD AND AGRICULTURE Friday 13 August, 6:30pm–7:45pm

THIS SOUNDS LIKE SCIENCE: SOUNDS FROM THE ICE Wednesday 18 August, 12:30pm

Join us to yarn about native foods and Indigenous farmers — everything from practising agriculture as a traditional custodian, growing bush foods and making sure they’re safe to eat, preparing amazing meals and getting Australian native foods to market.

Join scientist, explorer and author Professor Chris Turney in an online conversation with composer Brendon John Warner as they discuss their new work in progress: Sounds from the Ice. Intended as a debut sound and image presentation to be presented live as part of This Sounds Like Science in National Science Week, Sounds from the Ice will take audiences on a fascinating journey through environmental change at the ends of the Earth.

SPEAKERS: Luke Williams is a proud Gumbaynggirr descendent, currently completing his PhD in the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences at RMIT University.

He collaborates with FSANZ, working alongside Aboriginal businesses and organisations to research how new regulatory frameworks for assessing the dietary safety of traditional food items can better consider the unique history, knowledge and culture held by First Nations people.

Kerrie Saunders is a Kamillaroi/Gomeroi woman with a passion for highlighting bush tucker in the local and surrounding areas of Moree. Kerrie conducts regular bush tucker tours through her business, Yinarr-ma, where she identifies bush tucker and cooks yummy meals for guests. Kerrie also works with the University of Sydney on the Indigenous Grasslands for Grain project in Narrabri, making flour and bread with native grains.

Joshua Gilbert is a Worimi man, farmer and academic, who shares the narration of Indigenous identity through agricultural truths in light of modern contexts.

He is undertaking higher degree research at Charles Sturt University, is the Indigenous Co-Chair of Reconciliation NSW and was recently recognised within the world’s top 50 young gastronomers.

Our MC: Gamilaraay astrophysicist Karlie Noon is passionate about Indigenous astronomical knowledge and was the first Indigenous woman to obtain a double degree in science and mathematics. Karlie recently commenced a PhD in astronomy at the Australian National University and is Sydney Observatory’s first Astronomy Ambassador.

Chris will discuss his quest to understand how past climates inform what we know about future change and how, working in the Antarctic, he is developing new records of past climate that extend historical weather records over millennia.

Chris and Brendon have been collaborating to create new musical compositions based on this research.

They will describe their process and how they hope with this work to improve public understanding of the impacts of future abrupt climate change in Australia and globally.

SCG COMPETITION

VOLCANO MAKING AT HOME Monday 16-Friday 20 August, Submissions due 21 August Open to all Year 5-12 students

LUKE WILLIAMS

KERRIE SAUNDERS

JOSHUA GILBERT

KARLIE NOON

Make your own at-home volcano using food products such as baking soda and vinegar. Take a video of your volcanic eruption and submit it on the STEM@ SCG Schoolbox page. For insructions on how to make a volcano at home and submitting your video, click here.

Contact: Mr Cutting, Mrs Cooper, Mr Chandra and Mr Ram

Did you know that when you cook, you are doing chemistry? Physical and chemical processes take place when cooking to transform your ingredients. Vegetables soften when steamedand certain foods change colour when we cook them–like meat or eggs.

Next time you cook, observe how your food changes.

EVENT (WEBINAR)

THOUGHT FOR FOOD PANEL Tuesday 17 August, 7:00pm–8:00pm

EVENT (VIRTUAL)

HOW TO SAVE THE PLANET, ONE BURGER AT A TIME Monday 16 August, 7:00pm-9:00pm

DR BIANCA LÊ Join ANSTO for this panel discussion involving ground-breaking innovators, entrepreneurs and scientists from the food science industry.

Hungry for more information on the 2021 National Science Week theme ‘Food: Different by Design? Join us for this panel discussion involving groundbreaking innovators, entrepreneurs and scientists from the food science industry.

DR MINH HA

If you’ve never stepped inside a real research laboratory, this event is for you.

Join Cellular Agriculture Australia for a 2 hour online event at the University of Melbourne where you’ll learn about the basics of cellular agriculture science.

You’ll also have the opportunity to go on a virtual tour inside a research laboratory where cellular agriculture scientists are working on producing sustainable meat.

Registration essential.

WHAT IS CELLULAR AGRICULTURE? Cellular agriculture is a new research field and industry dedicated to producing meat, eggs, milk, and leather more sustainably and more ethically. Whether you’re concerned about climate change, passionate about animal welfare, or interested in improving human health, we can collectively transform our food system from farm to table.

Learn more about how technology is shaping the agricultural and food industries, the latest research on the SPEAKERS: sustainable production and consumption • Dr Bianca Lê (Executive Director of Cellular Agriculture Australia) of fruits and vegetables, and better ways of managing food waste and distribution. • Dr Minh Ha (Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences) Suitable for members of the general public, this 60-minute free online event is an opportunity to learn more about this fascinating and critical scientific area and have your questions answered by EVENT (VIRTUAL TOUR) our expert panel.

VIRTUAL TOUR: MEET MAGNUS FOR THE LAST TIME Thursday 17 August, 9:00am–10:00am Join the Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre as we take you on a livestreamed tour of the facility – your last opportunity to meet the Magnus Supercomputer, before it is replaced

by Setonix, a supercomputer 30x more powerful than its predecessors.

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