Happy National Science Week!

natsciwk_skyscraper1Australia’s annual celebration of science is on again from 15-23 August. Celebrating the International Year of Light, this year’s citizen science project Galaxy Explorer puts you in the astronomer’s seat. Classify and size galaxies to help scientists are the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research better understand how the universe was created and how it evolves.

Head to the National Science Week website to explore the hundreds of events across Australia. In the meantime, here are just a few to whet your science whistle.

Energised Fashion

Where: Design Hub, RMIT University, Melbourne VIC
When: 2.00-5.30pm Saturday 22 August
Cost: Free!

Can clothes be smart? RMIT University’s Energised Fashion Runway will feature applications of wearable technology in a number of domains including fashion, communications, entertainment, medical and healthcare, occupational health and safety.

Get involved with the Hands-On Lab throughout the fashion show or take part in a Wearable Technologies Workshop earlier in the day.

See Energised Fashion at the National Science Week website for more information.

Astronomy and Light Festival

Where: Scienceworks, Spotswood VIC
When: 5.00-9.00pm Saturday 22 August
Cost: Adults $7, children $5, families $20

The astronomy and Light Festival will be an evening of light (and dark) related fun at Scienceworks in Spotswood, featuring astronomers and optics researchers from across Victoria and Australia. A public event for all ages.

See Astronomy and Light Festival at the National Science Week website for more information.

Thumb_PARTICLE-FEVER-300x300Particle Fever

Where: Melbourne School of Design, Lecture theatre 1, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC
When: 6.30pm, Wednesday 19 August
Cost: Free!

Particle Fever follows six scientists seeking to unravel the mysteries of the universe during the launch of the Large Hadron Collider. The ARC Centre of Excellence for Particle Physics at the Terascale presents a free screening of the film, with a special introduction by Professor Ray Volkas, Head of the School of Physics at the University of Melbourne.

See Particle Fever at the National Science Week website for more information.

Silver Screen Science

Where: ACMI, Federation Square, Melbourne VIC
When: 7.00pm Thursday 20, Friday 21 and Saturday 22 August
Cost: Free!

Hosted by the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Silver Screen Science is a contemporary science film festival featuring Hollywood blockbusters Contagion (Thursday 20 August), Gattaca (Friday 21 August) and Outbreak (Saturday 22 August).

Film screenings are followed by thought provoking dialogue as medical researchers, health professionals, artists and science fiction writers separate fact from fiction.

See Science in the Square at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute website for more information.