National Science Week 2021 - Covid style

---

National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. Established in 1997, celebrations and events hosted during the week aim to encourage an interest in science pursuits among the general public, and to encourage younger people to be fascinated by the world we live in. Inspiring Australia is the national strategy for public engagement with science and technology and National Science Week is its flagship campaign.

Running each year in August (14th - 22nd), National Science Week features more than 1000 events around Australia. Normally, these events attract a wide audience from children to adults, and science amateurs to professionals. But the recent COVID-19 travel restrictions and lockdown orders for 2021 have affected many in-person events - as it did for last year.

Manager for Inspiring Australia NSW, Jackie Randles says that the science community has rallied for a second year to deliver an incredible program of online events.

“We were so looking forward to delivering live events again in 2021 after last year’s marathon virtual campaign, but for many of us in NSW and Victoria, this is not to be, due to the Delta variant of Covid-19. Luckily, last year’s efforts have meant that many science presenters have developed the skills they need to deliver engaging and entertaining events online – from comedy and improv to interactive games and short films, as well as presenting traditional online science panels and lectures you would expect from esteemed scientists.”

Jackie explained that as the latest round of lockdowns have come in very late in the planning cycle, some of the large scale family event presenters that have received grants from Inspiring Australia have decided to defer their programs until later in the year.

“Most will continue to offer programs online during science week to ensure their participation and we are really grateful to them for making the extra effort. Visitors to the campaign website will find that the quality and range of this year’s National Science Week options will continue to be as diverse as in any other year, with something on the program to suit all interests, ages and tastes.”

There are many ways to join the celebrations from home, including through downloading the SCINEMA international film festival for free, participating in the annual national citizen science film project or getting involved in one of hundreds of online experiences, from botanical illustration and animation workshops to science quizzes and comedy.

“Thanks to Little Scientists, we even have programs for preschoolers that you can join from home with your little ones.” Said Jackie

To find an event visit the National Science Week website at www.scienceweek.net.au

Our picks:

The Future of Food - Monday 16th August

Join food and health expert Johannes le Coutre in conversation with journalist Joanna Savill as they explore the future of food. As we take our first tentative steps into the paradigm shifting world of lab-grown and no-kill meat, will 21st century science save the day, or are the solutions to our biggest problems a combination of the old and the new?

Live from the Lab on FBi Radio - Friday 13 Aug - Friday 20 Aug

Each weekday morning from 8.15am - 8.45am on FBi Radio (95.4 FM or stream online), Six musicians and performers will be partnered with six science researchers. The musicians will then share six brand-new compositions inspired by their emotional response to cutting-edge research. 

Physical Activity, the Elixir of Health and Wellbeing: How much is enough? - Tuesday 17 Aug

Anne Tiedemann joins Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts (SMSA) online to share her expertise on physical activity for healthy ageing. We all know physical activity is good for us, but how much is enough to boost health and wellbeing?

Indigenous Food and Agriculture - Friday 13th August

Join indigenous speakers 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.

An Online Science Trivia event - 14 Aug - 22 Aug

BrightMindz Academy is proud to present another Online Trivia event, following last year's success. A great opportunity to instil love of science in young students.

Follow #scienceweek and @aus_scienceweek on Twitter  - or Facebook - for all the latest news.