Is space really the final frontier?
Captain Kirk certainly thought so, but you’ll gain a richer understanding of the cosmos at this year’s National Science Week, which launches on Saturday at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery at Inveresk.
The successful Apollo mission to the Moon in July 1969 is just one of a multitude of fascinating topics covered at this year’s Science Week.
QVMAG will be the centrepiece for this year’s Science Week activities, which will also include the man who makes science fun – the Crazy Scientist – natural science displays of bugs and other creatures, planetarium shows galore, Dinosaurs after Dark, and a very special electric car named Mighty Boy, to name but a few.
The week-long science extravaganza kicks off with a special celebration – the Big Day of Science on Saturday, August 10 – with a day jam-packed full of science-based activities, displays and presentations guaranteed to excite, enthral and fascinate people of all ages.
During the evening, the museum’s Planetarium manager Dr Martin George will host a public talk on the Apollo missions to the Moon, followed by Dr Patsy Cameron who will present fascinating insights into the astronomy of the First Tasmanians. Both talks will be presented in the University of Tasmania’s Annexe Theatre.
QVMAG will continue its popular display about the Apollo missions, and the Nights at the Museum (August 10 and 16) and will include, weather permitting, telescopic viewing of many celestial objects.
On Friday (August 16), the museum will host two more free public talks in the University’s Annexe Theatre, which includes scientist Brittany Trubody, who will discuss extinction events, and Dr Jennifer Lavers from UTAS, on the accumulation of single-use plastic items on remote islands.
This will be followed by a public debate moderated by the ABC’s Piia Wirsu, on the subject of whether we should concentrate on space efforts or focus more on the preservation of species on Earth.
City of Launceston Deputy Mayor Danny Gibson said National Science Week was a wonderful opportunity for families across Northern Tasmania to connect and discover something new and exciting in the world of science.
“This is a wonderful event every year at QVMAG and I encourage everyone to visit the Museum and get involved in what will be another exciting and inspiring event,” Cr Gibson said.
“Following on from the celebrations last month of the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing, this year’s focus will be the Apollo mission and the fascinating world of astronomy.”
Tasmanian Nobel Prize winner Professor Emerita Elizabeth Blackburn has been named Patron of Tasmanian National Science Week.
She will be lending her knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for science as the face of this annual festival celebrating science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) in schools, towns, pubs, and venues across Tasmania this August.
For a full list of all National Science Week activities, go to the QVMAG website: https://www.qvmag.tas.gov.au
