Are you a researcher who loves doing hands-on science communication? Do you want to be a part of 2024 National Science Week, but don’t know where to start?
Join our Meet a Scientist program this year and be a part of some fabulous community events over the week 10 to 18 August 2024.
What do we offer?
- We match you with a community event based on your availability.
- We provide a free online training session with tips on how to do ‘hands-on’ science communication.
- We manage everything at the event, so all you have to do is turn up with your props!
- For some events we can help with transport, if needed.
We know that many kids are curious and have questions about the world around them and, while out science teachers do amazing job in fostering their interests, we know that many kids still don’t think science is for them.
But one impressionable interaction with a researcher or scientific professional can be the pivotal moment in encouraging them to further study and a career in STEM.
Community events provide an opportunity for direct interaction with scientists and the opportunity to ask specific questions. Our Meet a Scientist program in 2023 was a huge success, with scientists keep busy for hours with questions from children and their families at a range of events.
Researchers are set up at a table each where they have physical props or visual/auditory stimulus for participants to explore and stimulate questions. Kids may stay for one minute or 10. There are no slides or presentations.
This year we will also offer an optional online training session at 12pm on Thursday 25 July 2024. The short workshop will cover what sort of objects and props to bring, and how to engage young people in these sorts of settings. We can provide feedback on your ideas as well.
Who should apply?
- This opportunity is open to all science, engineering, health and medical researchers, no matter your level of expertise, but we particularly encourage PhD students and early career researchers to join.
- The school theme for 2024 National Science Week is Species Survival – More than just sustainability. This theme does not apply to community events, but we particularly welcome scientists from this area of research this year.
- Scientists, engineers and researchers generally from government, the not-for-profit sector, and industry are also encouraged to join.
Read the options below and fill out the EOI form as soon you can. EOIs will close on Wednesday 24 July.
2024 National Science Week Opportunities
This page will be updated with new opportunities as they are confirmed. If there is nothing here that works for you, please contact inspiringnsw@sydney.edu.au and we’ll see if there are other options in your area.
1. Wild about Food Sydney City Farm at Sydney Park St Peters
When: Saturday 10 August
Event time: 10am to 2pm
Shifts: Two shifts – 10am to 12pm or 12pm to 2pm
Audience: Families and residents interested in food, sustainability, and healthy eating
Commitment and requirements: There will be an informal drop in ‘Meet a scientist’ stall that will run all day. You will engage families and residents with an interactive display. Morning shift- arrive by 9.30am for induction, depart midday. Afternoon shift- arrive by 11.30am for induction, depart 2pm
2023 website: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/science-of-nature-community-open-day-tickets-658150404577/
2. Western Sydney Parklands – Science in the Scrub at Lizard Log
When: Sunday 11 August
Advertised event time: 11am to 3pm
Shifts: Two shifts – 11am to 1pm or 1pm to 3pm
Audience: Diverse range with a focus on families (9,000+ in 2023)
Commitment and requirements: Morning shift- arrive by 10.30am for induction, depart 1pm. Afternoon shift- arrive by 1pm for induction, depart 3pm. You are to engage with families by providing a simple demonstration or interactive display at a table. There will be ‘Meet the Scientist’ stalls set up specifically for this.
2023 website: https://www.westernsydneyparklands.com.au/things-to-do/science-in-the-scrub-2023/
3. Woollahra Library, Double Bay, Sydney – Speed Meet a Scientist
When: Saturday 17 August
Event time: 2pm – 3.45pm
Audience: Mostly primary school aged children their parents/grandparents.
Commitment and requirements: Speakers will need to arrive at 1.30pm for briefing and preparation, and will be expected to stay until 3.45pm. In 6 minute rotations, you will talk to 6 different families – discussing your expertise and encouraging them in their field of interest We want to engage teens this year, so open to suggestions for demonstrations, props, pictures, presentations. We will group age demographics together on the day in groups.
2023 website: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/national-science-week-2023-speed-meet-a-scientist-all-ages-registration-675735843097
5. Centennial Parklands, Sydney – Science in the Swamp
When: Sunday 18 August
Advertised event time: 11am to 3pm
Shifts: Two shifts – 11am to 1pm or 1pm to 3pm
Commitment and requirements: Scientists are expected to commit 2 hours within the timeframe of the event, but can stay all day. You will have your own table to set up your presentation, provide a simple demonstration or display that families can interact with for a few minutes at a time. We highly encourage you to apply for the Western Sydney Parklands event if this event interests you also!
2023 website: https://www.centennialparklands.com.au/whatson/science-in-the-swamp/science-in-the-swamp-map-and-program
The Science Comedy program will tour regional NSW (Armidale, Canberra Coffs Harbour, Penrith, Wollongong, and Wagga Wagga) as well as hosting events in Sydney in the lead up to, and during 2024 National Science Week.
We have include it here as another opportunity for scientists to get involved in 2024 National Science Week and will update dates as they are confirmed.
6. Science Comedy program
Event times: 7 to 8.30pm
Audience: Young people and adults (mostly licensed venues or libraries)
Commitment: Attendance at workshops with a comedian and a presentation trainer, then present for 10 minutes, with slides, at an evening ticketed event.
Website: https://www.futuresciencetalks.com.au/science-comedy-program
Sign me up!
If any of the above opportunities interested you, please fill out the EOI form https://forms.office.com/r/qdrr4rnXne with your information and availability as soon you can. EOIs will close on Wednesday 24 July.
If you not available for the listed activities, but are still eager to participate, please let us know more in ‘Q9. Any other information’, and we will be in contact if any other opportunities during National Science Week arise.
Please contact us by email if you have other questions inspiringnsw@sydney.edu.au
Feature image: PhD student in Oncohemotology and Nutrition, Gayathiri Rajakumar, at Science in the Swamp, 2023 National Science Week.
Are you a researcher who loves doing hands-on science communication? Do you want to be a part of 2024 National Science Week, but don’t know where to start?
Join our Meet a Scientist program this year and be a part of some fabulous community events over the week 10 to 18 August 2024.
What do we offer?
We know that many kids are curious and have questions about the world around them and, while out science teachers do amazing job in fostering their interests, we know that many kids still don’t think science is for them.
But one impressionable interaction with a researcher or scientific professional can be the pivotal moment in encouraging them to further study and a career in STEM.
Community events provide an opportunity for direct interaction with scientists and the opportunity to ask specific questions. Our Meet a Scientist program in 2023 was a huge success, with scientists keep busy for hours with questions from children and their families at a range of events.
Researchers are set up at a table each where they have physical props or visual/auditory stimulus for participants to explore and stimulate questions. Kids may stay for one minute or 10. There are no slides or presentations.
This year we will also offer an optional online training session at 12pm on Thursday 25 July 2024. The short workshop will cover what sort of objects and props to bring, and how to engage young people in these sorts of settings. We can provide feedback on your ideas as well.
Who should apply?
Read the options below and fill out the EOI form as soon you can. EOIs will close on Wednesday 24 July.
2024 National Science Week Opportunities
This page will be updated with new opportunities as they are confirmed. If there is nothing here that works for you, please contact inspiringnsw@sydney.edu.au and we’ll see if there are other options in your area.
1. Wild about Food Sydney City Farm at Sydney Park St Peters
When: Saturday 10 August
Event time: 10am to 2pm
Shifts: Two shifts – 10am to 12pm or 12pm to 2pm
Audience: Families and residents interested in food, sustainability, and healthy eating
Commitment and requirements: There will be an informal drop in ‘Meet a scientist’ stall that will run all day. You will engage families and residents with an interactive display. Morning shift- arrive by 9.30am for induction, depart midday. Afternoon shift- arrive by 11.30am for induction, depart 2pm
2023 website: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/science-of-nature-community-open-day-tickets-658150404577/
2. Western Sydney Parklands – Science in the Scrub at Lizard Log
When: Sunday 11 August
Advertised event time: 11am to 3pm
Shifts: Two shifts – 11am to 1pm or 1pm to 3pm
Audience: Diverse range with a focus on families (9,000+ in 2023)
Commitment and requirements: Morning shift- arrive by 10.30am for induction, depart 1pm. Afternoon shift- arrive by 1pm for induction, depart 3pm. You are to engage with families by providing a simple demonstration or interactive display at a table. There will be ‘Meet the Scientist’ stalls set up specifically for this.
2023 website: https://www.westernsydneyparklands.com.au/things-to-do/science-in-the-scrub-2023/
3. Woollahra Library, Double Bay, Sydney – Speed Meet a Scientist
When: Saturday 17 August
Event time: 2pm – 3.45pm
Audience: Mostly primary school aged children their parents/grandparents.
Commitment and requirements: Speakers will need to arrive at 1.30pm for briefing and preparation, and will be expected to stay until 3.45pm. In 6 minute rotations, you will talk to 6 different families – discussing your expertise and encouraging them in their field of interest We want to engage teens this year, so open to suggestions for demonstrations, props, pictures, presentations. We will group age demographics together on the day in groups.
2023 website: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/national-science-week-2023-speed-meet-a-scientist-all-ages-registration-675735843097
5. Centennial Parklands, Sydney – Science in the Swamp
When: Sunday 18 August
Advertised event time: 11am to 3pm
Shifts: Two shifts – 11am to 1pm or 1pm to 3pm
Commitment and requirements: Scientists are expected to commit 2 hours within the timeframe of the event, but can stay all day. You will have your own table to set up your presentation, provide a simple demonstration or display that families can interact with for a few minutes at a time. We highly encourage you to apply for the Western Sydney Parklands event if this event interests you also!
2023 website: https://www.centennialparklands.com.au/whatson/science-in-the-swamp/science-in-the-swamp-map-and-program
The Science Comedy program will tour regional NSW (Armidale, Canberra Coffs Harbour, Penrith, Wollongong, and Wagga Wagga) as well as hosting events in Sydney in the lead up to, and during 2024 National Science Week.
We have include it here as another opportunity for scientists to get involved in 2024 National Science Week and will update dates as they are confirmed.
6. Science Comedy program
Event times: 7 to 8.30pm
Audience: Young people and adults (mostly licensed venues or libraries)
Commitment: Attendance at workshops with a comedian and a presentation trainer, then present for 10 minutes, with slides, at an evening ticketed event.
Website: https://www.futuresciencetalks.com.au/science-comedy-program
Sign me up!
If any of the above opportunities interested you, please fill out the EOI form https://forms.office.com/r/qdrr4rnXne with your information and availability as soon you can. EOIs will close on Wednesday 24 July.
If you not available for the listed activities, but are still eager to participate, please let us know more in ‘Q9. Any other information’, and we will be in contact if any other opportunities during National Science Week arise.
Please contact us by email if you have other questions inspiringnsw@sydney.edu.au
Feature image: PhD student in Oncohemotology and Nutrition, Gayathiri Rajakumar, at Science in the Swamp, 2023 National Science Week.
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