The Robogals Science Challenge is an Australia-wide science competition for girls. It enables participants to learn more about science and engineering by conducting projects or experiments with a friend, parent, or another mentor. Entries to the competition are submitted online in the form of videos, photos and writing in three age categories. The competition will…
We are delighted to once again bring together the National Science Week program for Victoria in 2019, and warmly invite everyone interested in being a part of our state-wide celebration of all things Science to come along to our information and networking session at the Royal Society of Victoria.
As editor in chief of a science magazine for six years, I’m not sure how I missed the gene therapy revolution. Yes, we did the odd news report on gene therapy, but mostly we were blinded by the deluge of CRISPR publications – a cheap, precise new technique of gene editing that was transforming the ability to genetically modify plants, insects, animals and maybe one day humans. As it turns out this happened in China last November .But it wasn’t just me who missed the gene therapy revolution. It seems most people I speak to about it – including many medical people – hadn’t noticed. The most dramatic example has biblical dimensions. In 2017, the New England Journal of Medicine published the results of a gene therapy trial for children born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). These kids normally develop paralysis and die by the age of two. Instead most were sitting and rolling; some were walking and talking. Is this just a fringe thing? Big Pharma doesn’t think so. Novartis recently paid $US 8.7 billion to purchase – AveXis, the start-up company behind the SMA trial. In this talk, allow me to guide you through the gene therapy revolution and how it is set to disrupt the way medicine is delivered.
Consciousness remains one of the biggest mysteries of the human brain. Our perception of what exists as well as our thoughts, feelings, imaginings and dreams has attempted to be understood by philosophers through conceptual analysis and thought experiments. Neuroscientists have sought to describe it as a biological process of neuronal activity captured by measurable tests of brain activity. Increasingly, philosophers and neuroscientists are joining forces, but consensus is elusive. Do we experience consciousness only while we are awake? Do other animals experience consciousness? Does it fade after brain damage? Are intelligent computers conscious? Is consciousness a process? What is it for? We have invited a neuroscientist and philosopher to share their research and perspectives on consciousness and to provide some guidance on these questions.
The Yarra Ranges community is invited to an afternoon focused on skills, employment and technology as part of Education Week at the Box Hill Institute and Yarra Ranges Tech School.This event will showcase Yarra Ranges Tech School's facilities, technology and programs through workshops and an open house. The learning spaces and technology labs will be accessible for direct interaction by attendees during the tour.Ahead of the tour there will be a panel of key industry representatives who will provide an outline of their industry, the skills being sought and share experiences of their own journeys in the area of STEM, robots and automation.
Write a poem about THE MOON: it could be about travelling to the Moon; some human history or culture that includes our understanding of the Moon; what the Moon has taught us in science; anything else that’s Moon-related. When National Science Week begins (11-19 August) the Science Rhymes website will display a collection of your rhyming verse…
The Radio Amateurs of the Tablelands Radio & Electronics Club, in Far North Queensland are commemorating the 50th year since the Lunar Landing, by operating a special event call sign on the Radio Amateur bands. The callsign for this station is Vi50ML. All licenced Radio Amateurs are invited to join in by establishing radio contact…
Come and take part in a range of hands on science experiments and explore the world of STEM. For children ages 5-12.
Bring a jar of soil from home and learn how to manage the soil pH levels in your organic garden. You will have the opportunity to test your soil and optimise the health of your garden.
Young inventors The young inventors is a project based learning program that provides a hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and math opportunity to budding young inventors. They will be using LittleBits and Micro:BBC boards to invent objects such as a self driving art machine or a cardboard inch worm. This is a 6 week program…
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing by building your own space-themed game. Get together with your friends, download the step-by-step instructions, and learn to code your own game. In 2018 we broke the record for the most kids coding in a single day. Help us break the record again in 2019. Make sure…
Phones and iPads can be really easy to use, but lots of their useful features are easy to miss. Bring your iPhone or iPad along for tips, tricks and hidden features that can help you get the most out of your device. Bookings essential.
