A huge array of engaging new content was produced for National Science Week’s 2020 virtual edition, including a variety of podcasts, films, workshops and webinars supported with grant funding from Inspiring Australia NSW and the Australian Government. Many of these initiatives continue to be available online. They represent just some of the 250+ science week experiences presented across NSW, and more than 1200 national initiatives, including in Australian schools.
Inspiring Australia NSW sincerely thanks our many research, academic, community, cultural and business partners for rising to the challenge of this year’s COVID-19 restrictions. Together, we quickly acquired the skills needed to create a sensational, virtual celebration of science to mark this year’s National Science Week campaign. Congratulations to all involved!
Highlighted projects listed below include some of those Inspiring Australia NSW supported with science week grant funding and others produced by universities and individual researchers that you can continue to enjoy online.
Be amazed by 50 virtual science experiences in the Sydney Science Trail developed by Royal Botanic Garden and Australian Museum with support from Inspiring Australia NSW.
Explore science, sport and tech in the Innovation Games series hosted by TV presenter, author and STEM+ communicator Lee Constable with representatives from Sydney Thunder, GWS Giants, Sydney Kings, NSWIS and the Australian Olympic Team. Watch them demonstrate some fun, sporty experiments you can try at home.
Watch the Live from the Lab 2020 trailer
Enjoy new music inspired from nanoscience that was performed live in the studio each day of science week on FBi Radio. Live from the Labis a celebration of science, music, arts and culture. Through partnerships and collaborations between artists and scientists, Live from the Labbrings science to new audiences and celebrates its place in our shared culture.
The Deep Blue On my Doorstep podcast series produced by coral researcher A/Prof Tracy Ainsworth introduces listeners to leading Australian researchers as they look to the future and what is needed to protect the blue spaces on our doorsteps.
Starting with seabirds – Dr Nicholas Carlile Senior scientist NSW Department of Planning Industries and Environment, talks about NSW’s seabird populations.
Saving turtles – Dr Duan March, veterinary scientist turtle researcher Southern Cross University and Coffs Harbour Dolphin Marine Rescue, covers his work rescuing turtle populations on the NSW north coast.
Chasing jellyfish – Professor Kylie Pitt, Head of Marine Science Griffith University and founder of the Sea jelly lab, takes us on a journey of jelly fish.
Wild waves – Dr Hannah Power, University of Newcastle, talks about the power of waves, from beach erosion to coral reefs
Gaming sharks – Dr Vincent Renault, University of Newcastle, explains how to study sharks and where to find them.
City to kelp – Professor Peter Steinberg, University of New South Wales, speaks about the importance of blue spaces around our cities and how to preserve them.
Future oysters – Dr Laura Parker, University of New South Wales, explains how to build resilience to future ocean conditions.
Antarctica calling – Dr Dana Bergstrom, Australian Antarctic Division, convinces us that Antarctica is the centre of the world.
Stewarding the seas – Mr John Turnbull, The University of New South Wales, explains how people get can involved in protecting our oceans.
People for reefs – Mr Troy Johnson, Ranger Queensland Parks and Wildlife, talks about why people are so important for the future of the Great Barrier Reef.
Iconic EAC – Professor Iain Suthers, University of New South Wales, finishes up the series by bringing everything together with the iconic east Australia current and talks about where the future lies for the next generation of marine scientists in Australia.
Dr Karl’s House Party was a chance for everone to kick off National Science Week 2020 with an awesome house party. Streamed live into lounge rooms, audiences learned about all manner of whacky scientific phenomena such as the animal that has to grow an anus each time it wants to defecate, how spiders can fly for thousands of kilometres and also count, why dead fish can swim indefinitely, and why humans have been making coffee the wrong way for six centuries.
The Idea Evolution podcast series explores innovation at sea in five programs created especially for science week on these themes: Coral reefs; Submarines; Medicine; Scuba; and Marine conservation.
#BatteryLow is a unique outreach event presented by Arludo. During science week, 17,000 people joined a livestream broadcast with different scientists as they played videogames and chattted about their work over several hours.
My STEM Story produced by UTS presents a series of personal video messages from professional women in STEM who hark from regional backgrounds to their former, younger selves.
We still need to talk about climate change! This urgent climate change conversation was facilitated by UNSW Science Dean Professor Emma Johnson with Prof Tim Flannery and A/Professor Adriana Verges.
Find out what is the most effective personal action you can take on climate change in this cross-disciplinary climate action panel that was facilitated by Lee Constable with Professor Lesley Hughes, Greg Bourne, A/Prof Caroline Fisher, Katerina Gaita and Tennant Reed.
Should the Moon have personhood? This fascinating discussion facilitated by Annie Handmer with Donna Lawler, Michelle Maloney, A/Prof. Alice Gorman, Gabriel Harris and Ceridwen Dovey about the ‘NewSpace’ industry asked what it would mean to the space industry if the Moon was a stakeholder in the decision-making process. How would we mine or inhabit the Moon in a sustainable and legally appropriate manner? Where do ethics, First Nations people and heritage fit in?
How to Maximise Research Impact? asked how researchers can boost their scientific discoveries for the benefit of our broader society.
A series of engaging conversations with women working in a wide range of nuclear science careers. Explore the science behind somewhat controversial misconceptions and find out about the diverse jobs and applications of nuclear science in medicine, sustainability and energy. Watch the webinar series on YouTube
Meet microbiologists in the new JAMSpod including those working at the pointy end of pandemics. Getting to know your friendly microbiologist explores what motivates and inspires them and the global challenges they help solve.
Getting to know Prof Liz Harry, Director of the ithree institute (infection, immunology and innovation) at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS).
Getting to know Prof Dee Carter, who graduated from the University of Otago, New Zealand, with a Bachelor of Science (Hons I) and undertook her PhD at Imperial College, London
Getting to know A/Prof. Tim Newsome, a lecturer in Molecular Bioscience with key leadership responsibilities in the areas of virology research and teaching.
Getting to know Prof Brajesh Singh, an internationally recognised expert in the field of functional ecology and soil biology. Through his fundamental research, his work identifies the quantitative relationships between soil biodiversity and ecosystem
Getting to know A/Prof Willa Huston: a Molecular Microbiologist with an interest in chlamydia and chlamydial diseases.
Getting to know Prof Michael Gillings, a Professor of Molecular Evolution whose interests focus on genetic diversity and its role in evolution.
Getting to know Dr. Brendan Burns who has deep expertise in the study of stromatolite communities.
Getting to know Prof Ian Paulsen who is an expert in genomics and synthetic biology and always seem to be involved on the cutting edge of science!
Meet 12 amazing researchers who share their STEM journeys to excite, intrigue and inspire you with their work and their passion for their jobs. Soapbox Science Sydney is all about promoting women in STEM and creating role models for women and girls interested in science and technoogy careers.
Get involved in the E$$ENTIAL MEDICINE$ project and explore questions about open source approaches to the treatment of ancient and emerging diseases, including COVID-19. Meet scientists involved in the Breaking Good Initiative advocating for everyone in the world to have access to the medicines that they need.
Discover how algae is a sustainable resource and its potential use in fashion, retail, food and beer through this dynamic panel discussion Brewing a greener future that was held at the Young Henry’s brewery in Sydney.
Discover Indigenous perspectives of the night sky with Kirsten Banks, an engaging astrophysicist whose passion for astronomy also attracts huge audiences on TikTok!
Meet plant scientists and ecologists working to understand plant diseases and insects and protect habitat from biosecurity risks. Try your hand at botanical illustration and digital animation in online workshops led by professional artists. Encourage young people you know to be a biosecurity warrior! Dozens of virtual experiences are available as part of PlantX!
Watch an animated film about bushfires created by Dr Hamish Clark, co-convenor of Science at the Local, to understand the elements that contribute to risk.
Join research-led online Praxical workshops and learn about the scientific method as you explore habitable worlds, conserve endangered species and monitor pollution.
By Jackie Randles, Manager Inspiring Australia NSW.Feature illustration by Cath Leach of Catfish Creative represents a discussion on collaboration between scientists, abalone divers and sea urchin processors that was facilitated by the Atlas of Life on the Coastal Wilderness as part of the 2020 Sapphire Coast Science Festival.
A huge array of engaging new content was produced for National Science Week’s 2020 virtual edition, including a variety of podcasts, films, workshops and webinars supported with grant funding from Inspiring Australia NSW and the Australian Government. Many of these initiatives continue to be available online. They represent just some of the 250+ science week experiences presented across NSW, and more than 1200 national initiatives, including in Australian schools.
Inspiring Australia NSW sincerely thanks our many research, academic, community, cultural and business partners for rising to the challenge of this year’s COVID-19 restrictions. Together, we quickly acquired the skills needed to create a sensational, virtual celebration of science to mark this year’s National Science Week campaign. Congratulations to all involved!
Highlighted projects listed below include some of those Inspiring Australia NSW supported with science week grant funding and others produced by universities and individual researchers that you can continue to enjoy online.
Be amazed by 50 virtual science experiences in the Sydney Science Trail developed by Royal Botanic Garden and Australian Museum with support from Inspiring Australia NSW.
Explore science, sport and tech in the Innovation Games series hosted by TV presenter, author and STEM+ communicator Lee Constable with representatives from Sydney Thunder, GWS Giants, Sydney Kings, NSWIS and the Australian Olympic Team. Watch them demonstrate some fun, sporty experiments you can try at home.
Enjoy new music inspired from nanoscience that was performed live in the studio each day of science week on FBi Radio. Live from the Lab is a celebration of science, music, arts and culture. Through partnerships and collaborations between artists and scientists, Live from the Lab brings science to new audiences and celebrates its place in our shared culture.
The Deep Blue On my Doorstep podcast series produced by coral researcher A/Prof Tracy Ainsworth introduces listeners to leading Australian researchers as they look to the future and what is needed to protect the blue spaces on our doorsteps.
Dr Karl’s House Party was a chance for everone to kick off National Science Week 2020 with an awesome house party. Streamed live into lounge rooms, audiences learned about all manner of whacky scientific phenomena such as the animal that has to grow an anus each time it wants to defecate, how spiders can fly for thousands of kilometres and also count, why dead fish can swim indefinitely, and why humans have been making coffee the wrong way for six centuries.
The Idea Evolution podcast series explores innovation at sea in five programs created especially for science week on these themes: Coral reefs; Submarines; Medicine; Scuba; and Marine conservation.
#BatteryLow is a unique outreach event presented by Arludo. During science week, 17,000 people joined a livestream broadcast with different scientists as they played videogames and chattted about their work over several hours.
My STEM Story produced by UTS presents a series of personal video messages from professional women in STEM who hark from regional backgrounds to their former, younger selves.
We still need to talk about climate change! This urgent climate change conversation was facilitated by UNSW Science Dean Professor Emma Johnson with Prof Tim Flannery and A/Professor Adriana Verges.
Find out what is the most effective personal action you can take on climate change in this cross-disciplinary climate action panel that was facilitated by Lee Constable with Professor Lesley Hughes, Greg Bourne, A/Prof Caroline Fisher, Katerina Gaita and Tennant Reed.
Should the Moon have personhood? This fascinating discussion facilitated by Annie Handmer with Donna Lawler, Michelle Maloney, A/Prof. Alice Gorman, Gabriel Harris and Ceridwen Dovey about the ‘NewSpace’ industry asked what it would mean to the space industry if the Moon was a stakeholder in the decision-making process. How would we mine or inhabit the Moon in a sustainable and legally appropriate manner? Where do ethics, First Nations people and heritage fit in?
How to Maximise Research Impact? asked how researchers can boost their scientific discoveries for the benefit of our broader society.
A series of engaging conversations with women working in a wide range of nuclear science careers. Explore the science behind somewhat controversial misconceptions and find out about the diverse jobs and applications of nuclear science in medicine, sustainability and energy. Watch the webinar series on YouTube
Meet microbiologists in the new JAMSpod including those working at the pointy end of pandemics. Getting to know your friendly microbiologist explores what motivates and inspires them and the global challenges they help solve.
Meet 12 amazing researchers who share their STEM journeys to excite, intrigue and inspire you with their work and their passion for their jobs. Soapbox Science Sydney is all about promoting women in STEM and creating role models for women and girls interested in science and technoogy careers.
Get involved in the E$$ENTIAL MEDICINE$ project and explore questions about open source approaches to the treatment of ancient and emerging diseases, including COVID-19. Meet scientists involved in the Breaking Good Initiative advocating for everyone in the world to have access to the medicines that they need.
Discover how algae is a sustainable resource and its potential use in fashion, retail, food and beer through this dynamic panel discussion Brewing a greener future that was held at the Young Henry’s brewery in Sydney.
Discover Indigenous perspectives of the night sky with Kirsten Banks, an engaging astrophysicist whose passion for astronomy also attracts huge audiences on TikTok!
Meet plant scientists and ecologists working to understand plant diseases and insects and protect habitat from biosecurity risks. Try your hand at botanical illustration and digital animation in online workshops led by professional artists. Encourage young people you know to be a biosecurity warrior! Dozens of virtual experiences are available as part of PlantX!
Watch an animated film about bushfires created by Dr Hamish Clark, co-convenor of Science at the Local, to understand the elements that contribute to risk.
Join research-led online Praxical workshops and learn about the scientific method as you explore habitable worlds, conserve endangered species and monitor pollution.
By Jackie Randles, Manager Inspiring Australia NSW. Feature illustration by Cath Leach of Catfish Creative represents a discussion on collaboration between scientists, abalone divers and sea urchin processors that was facilitated by the Atlas of Life on the Coastal Wilderness as part of the 2020 Sapphire Coast Science Festival.
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