Science Tent

The full Splendour in the Grass 2018 Science Tent lineup has been announced with acclaimed astrophysicists Prof Tamara Davis from the University of Queensland and A/Prof Alan Duffy from Swinburne University joining a stellar line up of research scientists at the popular Byron Bay arts and music festival from 20-22 July 2018.

Festival goers can hear from Australia’s top science talent who’ll present talks and activities all day long.

Travel through a cosmic story of exploding stars and crashing galaxies over billions of years. Learn why the universe is made of dark matter and dark energy that on galactic scales completely overpowers everything else.

Find out about #blackholes, #hoverboards, #wormholes and what happened at the dawn of time #inthebeginning.

Discover what humans have in common with slime moulds and how sharks, ants and bees relate to eachother. Consider whether sharks like music and meet Anemonefish, the ocean’s most charismatic and colourful characters.

Make art with chemicals and find out what we can discover through the chorus of frogs.

Learn to identify and recognise the symptoms of gynaecological cancer and how immunotherapy – the latest new development in cancer treatment – hijacks your own immune system to kill your own cancer.

Get involved in the Great Science Squabble and eat fermented foods.

Among experts you’ll meet in the Science Tent are entomologist Dr Tanya Latty and chemist Dr Alice Williamson from The University of Sydney.

Talk to immunology researcher Dr Misty Jenkins from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute and local science stars from Southern Cross University, geochemist Dr Renaud Joannes-Boyau and chemists Professor Amanda Reichelt-Brushett and Dr Don Brushett.

Science Tent line up

From Southern Cross University you’ll meet:

  • Dr Renaud Joannes-Boyau, a geochemist who’s passionate about protecting the environment through surfer citizen science. His Smartfin is a regular surfboard fin packed with technology including a GPS sensor, a motion sensor and a temperature sensor that records while you’re surfing.
  • Southern Cross marine biologist Sophie Pryor, who studies the very colourful and charismatic anemone fish and is all about saving Nemo from warming oceans.
  • Young emerging biogeochemist Laura Stoltenberg, who’ll bring science to the table by showing the neat reactions behind your favorite brew and fermented foods
  • Andrew Colefax and Deb Stokes who’ll bring in the drones and explain why they look to the sky for answers.

From The University of Sydney you’ll meet:

  • Dr Alice Williamson who’ll talk about better living with chemistry.
  • Science communicator Tom Gordon who’ll explain how a pulsar can be used in music.
  • PhD candidate Adrianne Jenner who shows how a new mutant virus that’s been engineered to kill cancer cells has the power to potentially turn you into a zombie.
  • Dr Tanya Latty who’ll ask whether we are smarter than a slime mould.
  • PhD candidate Kate Leslie who’ll light up your night with fluorescent chemicals.

From Griffith University, be amazed by:

  • PhD candidate Celeste de Mezieres who’ll use physics to show you how your voice looks.
  • Marine researchers Mariel Familiar Lopez and Johan Gustafson who’ll bring you face to face with sharks.

From Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, catch the latest in cancer treatment with:

  • Dr Misty Jenkins who will show you how immunotherapy hijacks your own immune system to kill your own cancer.

From Australia New Zealand Gynaecological Oncology Group, be informed and entertained by

  • Ruth Gordon, who’ll explain why it’s time to break the taboos surrounding women’s gynaecological health and what we can all do to Save the Box.

See the full line up of speakers and sessions.

The Science Tent is produced by Inspiring Australia (NSW), Southern Cross University and Fizzics Education in partnership with Splendour in the Grass and with participation from dozens of research experts from universities across Australia.

Image courtesy of Southern Cross University and video courtesy of  University of Sydney. The Science Tent full program is available on the Splendour in the Grass website. #scienceinthegrass #SITG18.