Inspiring Victoria

Spit for Science and Gut Feelings Spot Talks
2019-08-17 14:00 - 15:00 (Australia/Melbourne) | Melbourne Museum, 11 Nicholson Street, Carlton, VIC, 3053, Australia
Museums Victoria is creating a world first live microbe map …. and we’re inviting you to spit for science!
Are you a cat or a dog person? A coffee drinker? Vegan? We want to know because recent research shows the mix of helpful microorganisms in your gut is affected by your lifestyle choices… but how? And Melbourne is the allergy capital of the world, do we have a unique microbe fingerprint that’s talking to our immune systems?
To investigate these questions and more we are creating a digital microbe map of Victoria, and taking a sample from one end of the gut, the mouth.
Here, microbes in saliva donated by you/visitors are being analysed by the University of Melbourne for this cutting-edge research. In the process, Melbourne Museum is creating a digital installation—growing with new data each month. Results so far are already on display at the front of the Gut Feelings exhibition.
The sample is a snapshot in time so the experience is not diagnostic, no individual data will be displayed or given to you—we want to consider gut health as a community. The museum display also focuses on variables within your control, empowering you to consider how your choices effect your gut (and so body/mind) health. You can improve your microbiome in as little as 24hrs simply by relaxing or eating well today.
Come and spit for science and meet the science experts who created the incredible GUT FEELINGS EXHIBITION in the space all day for spot talks and a celebration of all things guts.
Drop in – free with Museum entry.

The Psychology of Pets
2019-08-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Brighton Town Hall, Cnr Carpenter and Wilson Streets, Brighton, 3186, Australia
Join us to celebrate National Science Week and our latest exhibition, Pets are People Too, with this fascinating panel discussion on the psychology of pets. Hear from leading pet behaviorists and passionate pet advocates about how and why your pets think, act and feel.

Immersive Science III (SCIVR): Astronomy for all Australians – Sale
2019-08-17 13:30 - 15:00 | Sale Library, 70 Foster Street, Sale, VIC, 3850, Australia
Catch the latest news in black holes with Alan Duffy and Rebecca Allen with live Q&A. Download the app and explore the universe.
Realise the power of stars, delve into the latest gravitational wave research, and explore the Universe—all without leaving town. Science communicators and researchers Associate Professor Alan Duffy and Dr Rebecca Allen return to share the latest wonders of Australian-led research in Astronomy through SciVR; an immersive astronomy experience enabled by a virtual reality (VR) smartphone app. Download the app for free, then come and join in our live viewing party event on Saturday 17 August as you explore the app on your smartphone.
Get ready from 1:30pm and the live stream starts at 2pm AEST. Alan and Rebecca share the science of astronomy through a more inclusive experience with an updated app, special close-captioned studio live-stream, and social media Q&A to regional groups and grassroots-organised viewing parties in libraries and other venues across the country.
This program has been made possible with the generous support of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav), Swinburne University of Technology, and is supported by the Australian Government as part of National Science Week.

Immersive Science III (SCIVR): Astronomy for all Australians - Lalor
2019-08-17 13:30 - 15:00 | Lalor Library, 2A May Road, Lalor, VIC, Australia

Immersive Science III (VR): Astronomy for all Australians - Emerald
2019-08-17 13:30 - 15:00 | Emerald Secondary School and Mount Burnett Observatory, 425 Belgrave Gembrook Road, Emerald, VIC, 3782, Australia
Catch the latest news in black holes with Alan Duffy and Rebecca Allen with live Q&A. Download the app and explore the universe.
Realise the power of stars, delve into the latest gravitational wave research, and explore the Universe—all without leaving town. Science communicators and researchers Associate Professor Alan Duffy and Dr Rebecca Allen return to share the latest wonders of Australian-led research in Astronomy through SciVR; an immersive astronomy experience enabled by a virtual reality (VR) smartphone app.
Download the app for free, then come and join in our live viewing party event on Saturday 17 August as you explore the app on your smartphone. Get ready from 1:30pm and the live stream starts at 2pm AEST. Alan and Rebecca share the science of astronomy through a more inclusive experience with an updated app, special close-captioned studio live-stream, and social media Q&A to regional groups and grassroots-organised viewing parties in libraries and other venues across the country.
Hosted by Mount Burnett Observatory in partnership with Emerald Secondary College and ESC Astronomy Club.
This program has been made possible with the generous support of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav), Swinburne University of Technology, and is supported by the Australian Government as part of National Science Week.

Immersive Science III (SCIVR): Astronomy for all Australians - Romsey
2019-08-17 13:30 - 15:00 | Romsey Community Hub, 96 Main Street, Romsey, VIC, 3434, Australia

Immersive Science III (SCIVR): Astronomy for all Australians - Lilydale
2019-08-17 13:30 - 15:00 | Yarra Ranges Tech School, 1 Jarlo Drive, Lilydale, Victoria, 3140, Australia

Immersive Science III (SCIVR): Astronomy for all Australians - Wangaratta
2019-08-17 13:30 - 15:00 | Wangaratta Library, 21 Docker Street, Wangaratta, VIC, 3677, Australia

Immersive Science III (SCIVR): Astronomy for all Australians - Bendigo
2019-08-17 13:30 - 15:00 | Bendigo Library, 259 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo, VIC, Australia

Fizzics Liquid Nitrogen Show - Wonthaggi Library
2019-08-17 13:30 - 14:30 | Wonthaggi Library, Murray Street, Wonthaggi, VIC, Australia
Fizzics – Liquid Nitrogen Show – is an event hosted by Fizzics Education. The show demonstrates phase changes, expansion, contraction, basic cell theory, air pressure, and the weather.
Featured experiments include lid launcher, ball smasher, liquid nitrogen sprinkler, frozen bubbles, fog breath, cool lasers, cooling circuits and levitating magnets.
The shows allow up to 60 children through demonstration to find out:

How solids, liquids and gases change when rapidly heated and cooled.
What happens to living things if they are frozen?
How can Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion explain a liquid nitrogen sprinkler
What is the Leidenfrost effect?

Mobile Planetarium Sessions with Science Discovery Dome (adults show)
2019-08-17 13:30 - 14:30 | Sunshine Library, 301 Hampshire Road, Sunshine, VIC, 3020, Australia
Enjoy the mobile dome experience. Come and watch movies on astronomy and the Earth projected across the dome.

Cleaning Products Workshop
2019-08-17 12:00 - 14:00 | Rosebud Library, McDowell Street, Rosebud, VIC, Australia
Bring along a recycled jar and make your own cleaning product. Learn about alternative products to chemicals, how to utilise resources from your garden and cutting down on waste.

Nitro Ice Cream
2019-08-17 12:00 - 14:00 | Rosebud Library, McDowell Street, Rosebud, VIC, Australia
Watch the science of using liquid nitrogen to instantly turn liquid into the creamiest ice cream. Demonstrations and ice cream giveaways.
At 196 degrees below zero, handcraft unique flavours that are theatrically made right before your eyes, giving you the ultimate ice cream experience. Their staff members are specially trained to handle liquid nitrogen – a non-toxic, non-flammable substance which will be completely evaporated by the time it reaches you, leaving behind only the creamiest ice-cream that your palate could’ve tasted.

Learn how science works with Mighty Maggots
2019-08-17 11:30 - 12:30 | Corio Library, Cnr Cox Road and Moa Street, Norlane, VIC, 3214, Australia
Become a mini-scientist in this hands-on workshop. Children will experiment with maggots to form and test a hypothesis before making some incredible maggot artwork with Dr Melanie Thompson.
During the session, participants will learn how to develop and test a hypothesis using our Mighty Maggots and a selection of foods. Participants will be asked to hypothesise or ‘guess’ which of the three prospective food choices the Mighty Maggots would like the best.
Children are then given a plate of food and three maggots to start their experiment. The results are then recorded and compared to the original hypotheses. Who was right? Which maggots were fastest?
Participants will then use food dye, maggots and blotting paper to create their very own piece of marvellous Mighty Maggot art to take home.
Please note- no maggots are harmed during this program and all safety measures are followed.

Ballarat International Foto Biennale to the Moon and Back @ The Ballarat Municipal Observatory
2019-08-17 10:00 - 15:00 | Ballarat Municipal Observatory and Museum, 439 Cobden Street, Mount Pleasant, Victoria, 3350, Australia
To the Moon and Back takes visitors on an educational and inspirational trip to the moon, where visitors can participate in creative moon themed sun-print and light-box activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo Moon landing.

The Ballarat International Foto Biennale presents two weekends of free activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo Moon landing.
Children will learn about space travel and science while being creative with photography.
Visitors can discover how astronauts live in space and create a layered light box image incorporating astronauts and space scenery, or images of objects they would take with them on a trip to the Moon – a toothbrush, favourite book or toy, or even a dog. Once completed take a photograph and make another.
The lunar theme continues in a sun print activity incorporating Moon related stencilled images. Using a non-toxic cyanotype paper, participants will watch as their image is exposed to UV light (ie. the Sun) resulting in a clever silhouetted image on a blue background to take home.
The events run alongside Ballarat Municipal Observatory Science Week activities and the Ballarat International Foto Biennale exhibition To the Moon and Back.
Take this opportunity to visit this historic observatory, and browse the buildings over the opening weekend of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale, when audiences can view the free exhibition To the Moon and Back, featuring work by international photographic artists exploring the continued relevance of the historic 1969 lunar landing and its lasting photographic legacy.
Bookings required for groups of 6 or more.
10am – 3pm, 17-18 and 24-25 August.

Note: Sunprints require UV light and will be replaced by an alternate activity in the case of wet weather.

Family STEAM Day
2019-08-17 10:00 - 15:00 | Ferntree Gully Library, 1010 Burwood Highway, Ferntree Gully, VIC, 3156, Australia
Join in anytime between 10am and 3pm for a day of Family STEAM fun (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Maths).
There will be a variety of robots and technology to program and play with, including Nintendo LABO, LEGO Boost, Spheros, Ozobots and BeeBots.
You’ll be able to make movies with a green screen, practice your coding skills, test out some science experiments, and tackle engineering challenges with the whole family!

Robot Kids Expo
2019-08-17 10:00 - 13:00 | Wangaratta Digital Hub, 21 Docker Street, Wangaratta, VIC, Australia
Come celebrate National Science Week 2019 with the Wangaratta Community Toy Library and the Wangaratta VEX Robotics Team at Robot Kids Expo.
Robot Kids is a FREE hands-on robotics expo designed especially for children aged 2 – 8 years old. There will be interactive demonstrations of a range of robotics including Fisher Price Code-a-pillars, Cubetto, Bee-bots, Edison robots, Dash robots and Spheros, as well as a demonstration from the Wangaratta VEX team. Have fun exploring the different ways children can interact with the various robotics, learning early programming skills and starting their journey to become master coders.
The kids will love making the different robots move, make noise, light up and detect the world around them.

Let's Get Bubbly Show
2019-08-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Rosebud Library, McDowell Street, Rosebud, VIC, Australia
Children and adults alike get to go inside real giant soap bubbles! They will have the opportunity to go in by themselves, with a sibling or with a parent.

Sea Turtle Talk
2019-08-17 09:00 - 10:00 | Rosebud Library, McDowell Street, Rosebud, VIC, Australia
Come dive into the fascinating world of sea turtle biology with Dr Kimberly Riskas and learn how you can help protect these ancient reptiles.
Did you know that sea turtles have been around since the time of the dinosaurs? Or that they swim thousands of kilometres to lay their eggs? Come dive into the fascinating world of sea turtle biology and learn how you can help protect these ancient reptiles.
Dr Kimberly Riskas is a marine scientist and science writer based in Melbourne. Originally from California, she completed her PhD in Queensland studying how fisheries impact marine wildlife. She has worked on marine conservation projects in Western Australia, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Malaysia and the United States.
Her science journalism pieces focus mainly on ecology and the environment and have been published in Cosmos, Hakai Magazine, Sciworthy, The Conversation and others.

2040 - Community Movie Screening
2019-08-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Oxley Shire Hall, 1157 Snow Road, Oxley, VIC, 3678, Australia
To celebrate National Science Week, the Greta Valley and Carboor Bobinawarrah Landcare Groups with support from the Rural City of Wangaratta, are hosting a FREE screening of 2040. This film is rated G. Bring your own container for popcorn and mug for hot drinks.
Tea/coffee and supper available. Local eco-living stalls and information on great local initiatives, including Boomerang bags and beeswax wraps.

BLUE - Community Screening
2019-08-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Oxley Shire Hall, 1157 Snow Road, Oxley, VIC, 3678, Australia
By 2050 there will be more plastic in the sea than fish. Our FREE community screening of BLUE takes us on a provocative journey into the ocean realm. We meet those who are defending habitats, campaigning for smarter fishing, combating marine pollution and fighting for the protection of species.

We are hosting a FREE community screening of BLUE to challenge our communities to think about what they can do to help our oceans.
Filmed around the world, BLUE is an Australian documentary that tells the story about the changes that are happening to our ocean and its marine life. It follows the lives of ordinary people doing extraordinary work to protect our ocean. Beautifully crafted, BLUE is deeply moving with a message that’s very clear: we need to act NOW to protect our most precious resource. The film is a call to arms focusing on people power.
Something we can all do is to replace disposable living with re-useable living – bring your own coffee cup, say no to single use plastic bags and stop using disposable cutlery and straws. Small things that we can all do that cumulatively will have a big difference.
Tea/coffee and supper available. Local stalls and information on great local initiatives, including Boomerang bags and beeswax wraps.

Harry Potter Science Trivia Night
2019-08-16 18:30 - 20:30 | Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre, 249-251 Faraday Street, Carlton, VIC, Australia
Is it magic or science? Discuss the latest science discoveries and test your Harry Potter knowledge as part of National Science Week. Chemical reactions or potions? Time travel or Einstein? Black holes, gravitational waves and virtual reality, or enchantment? Bring your team (up to six) and expelliarmus the competition.
For witches and wizards aged 15 and up (frightening moments, creature violence and mild language). Wear your robes or costumes for some magical prizes. Refreshments available. Bookings required.
Thanks to Kathleen Syme Library Young Adult Services Librarian and OzGrav – ARC Centre of Excellence for Gravtiational Wave Discovery.

Aboriginal Astronomy
2019-08-16 18:30 - 20:00 | Ballarat Library, 178 Doveton St N, Ballarat, Victoria, 3353, Australia
Astrophysics student and Kamilaroi woman, Krystal De Napoli shares how Indigenous Australians encode scientific information in their traditions and how this knowledge is passed to successive generations.
Features videos of dances, songs and interviews with elders.

Curious Kids' Night - It's all about STEAM
2019-08-16 18:30 - 19:30 | Coburg Library, Cnr Victoria and Louisa Streets, Coburg, VIC, Australia
A fun and engaging program to introduce young children and their families to the different aspects of STEAM. Exploring different streams of science with a variety of resources and materials. We want children to investigate the resources available on the night, develop an idea, design, build and then have fun with their families as they interact with their creation. Our event would be focussed on children and their families, in particular fathers, as they are not the traditional visitors to the library for regular children’s events.
The key elements of event would be electronics and engineering.
Electronics – done by using squishy circuits which uses playdough as a circuit medium. This challenge will also involve the arts as children use their imagination to create a playdough structure to make a circuit.
Engineering – This activity will be accessible to all age groups through the use of kickbricks for younger children and Planks for other children. Both these resources are age appropriate ways of allowing children to explore engineering by building. Challenges for children will be organised to encorgae them to work both on their own and collaboratively across the group.
Robotics – using existing sphero robots to learn simple programming and participate in some robotic challenges.

MACHINE World Premiere Screening at Melbourne International Film Festival
2019-08-16 18:00 - 2019-08-18 21:00 | Cinema 6, Hoyts Melbourne Central, Cnr Swanston and LaTrobe Streets, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
The world premiere of MACHINE screening at Melbourne International Film Festival.
MACHINE is an exploration of identity, creativity, and humanity, as we grapple with Artificial Intelligence and our place in a world where MACHINES appear to be smarter than humans.
Post screening there will be a Q&A with leading artificial intelligence scientist Professor Toby Walsh.

Inventing Tomorrow: Movie Screening
2019-08-16 18:00 - 20:30 | The Corner Youth Centre, 91 Wilsons Road, Mornington, VIC, Australia
Meet passionate teenage innovators from around the globe who are creating cutting-edge solutions to confront the world’s environmental threats – found right in their own backyards – while navigating the doubts and insecurities that mark adolescence. Take a journey with these inspiring teens as they prepare their projects for the largest convening of high school scientists in the world, the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
To reserve a seat please cal Mornington Peninsula Shire Youth Services on 03 5975 3114. Hurry places limited.

Bringing STEM to the community: Prof Veena Sahajwalla - Scientist, Engineer, Inventor
2019-08-16 17:00 - 19:00 | Quantum Victoria, 235 Kingsbury Drive, Macleod, VIC, Australia
Quantum Victoria and the Royal Society of Victoria are delighted to invite you to celebrate National Science Week with a presentation by ARC Laureate Professor Veena Sahajwalla – Materials Scientist, Engineer and Inventor.
Veena is revolutionising recycling science and is renowned for pioneering the high temperature transformation of waste in the production of a new generation of ‘green materials.’
In 2018 Veena launched the world’s first e-waste microfactory.
As the founding Director of the Centre for Sustainable Materials Research and Technology (SMaRT) at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, she is producing a new generation of green materials and products made entirely, or primarily, from waste. Veena also heads the ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub for ‘green manufacturing’, a leading national research centre that works in collaboration with industry to ensure new recycling science is translated into real world environmental and economic benefits.
In 2016, Veena was named one of Australia’s Most Innovative Engineers and in 2015, Veena named Australia’s 100 Most Influential Engineers, both by Engineers Australia.
Program
5.15 pm – 5.45 pm: Arrival and light refreshments and finger food – Gallery
5.45 pm – 6pm: Welcome by Director of Quantum Victoria, Ms Soula Bennett – Quantum Victoria Theatre
6pm – 7pm: Presentation by Prof Veena Sahajwalla – Quantum Victoria Theatre
7pm: Conclusion
We look forward to seeing you there.

STEM Fair @ Ascot Vale Library
2019-08-16 16:00 - 17:00 | Ascot Vale Library, 165 Union Road, Ascot Vale, VIC, Australia
Build, play and explore. Get hands-on with engineering, robotics and more. Make a UV kid and slime to take home.
Want to try robotics? Build a tower or a castle with planks? Explore UV light with amazing colour-changing beads! To celebrate National Science Week, come to the STEM Fair to explore a range of activities in this hands-on session. Make some slime and a UV kid to take home.

Learn how science works with Might Maggots
2019-08-16 16:00 - 17:00 | Leopold Library, 31-39 Kensington Road, Leopold, VIC, Australia

Come STEM with us
2019-08-16 15:30 - 18:00 | Whittlesea Tech School, 415 Dalton Road, Building N, Melbourne Polytechnic, Epping, VIC, Australia
An afternoon of STE(A)M showcase and interactive activities for girls, women and non-binary people of Melbourne’s north.
This National Science Week, Whittlesea Tech School is opening its doors to girls, women and non-binary people of northern Melbourne for an afternoon of STE(A)M celebration.
This free community event will include interactive activities and a marketplace showcasing local innovative science, technology, engineering, art and maths businesses and community organisations. There will be freebies to takeaway, including the opportunity to use the latest tech to make your own jewellery.
All those who identify as women or non-binary of any age are welcome. Bring your mum, bring your kids, bring your friend, or come along and make some new friends. This event is for those who are already interested in STE(A)M and for those who want to know more.
Afternoon tea provided. Registration essential.
