10daysofscience

The Science of Cocktails

Join us for a night of molecular mixology! This very exclusive event hosted by Manuel Terron (as seen on Mixing with the Best on the Lifestyle Channel) will take a look at the science behind mixing cocktails. You will mix and taste a range of cocktails – all in the name of science!

Available to 18+ only

When: Tuesday 25th August, 6pm-7.30pm
Where: UTS City Campus, The Loft Bar
Tickets: $35 or $30 for Advantage Card Holders. Tickets can be purchased from the Union Desk, Level 3 UTS Tower Building, or phone: 9514 1149.

Must be purchased in advance – Only 30 place available so book early to avoid disappointment.

‘Adrift’ Sculpture-Sound Installation

A work about water, drought, a landscape and a major city. By Alison Clouston and Boyd.

A response to ongoing drought in Australia and the struggle over water in the catchment of a major city. A flotilla of coracles – circular river-boats of ancient times – and a soundtrack following the movement of water through landscape and the human body. Painted birds, nestling or vanishing in the pelts, speak of vulnerable species and ecosystems. Adrift has a soundtrack that signifies the movement of water through landscape and the human body.

When: Tuesday 18 – Saturday 29 August: 10am – 4pm
Where: The Muse, Ultimo TAFE Building c, Harris St
Cost: Free – no booking required

The World at Night

Astronomers Without Borders present The World At Night, a collection of stunning photographs and time-lapse videos of the world’s most beautiful and historic sites against a night time backdrop of stars, planets and celestial events. It is a bridge between art, humanity, and science.

When: When: Friday 21 – Sunday 29 August: 10am – 4pm
Where: The Muse, Ultimo TAFE Building C, Harris St
Cost: Free – no booking required

The World at Night Talk
Renowned Australian astrophotographer, David Malin, will speak about the creation of the international World At Night exhibition images and the International Year of Astronomy.

When: Saturday 22 August: 2pm
Where: The Muse, Ultimo TAFE Building C, Harris St
Cost: Free – but booking essential – call (02) 9217 4133.

Photo credit: Stefan Seip/The World at Night

Your Green House

When: August 21 – August 29: Open weekdays only, except also open Saturday 29 August.

The NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change has created Your Green House – an interactive display that shows householders easy ways to save energy and water and reduce waste and greenhouse gases around the home.

Where: ABC Atrium, 700 Harris St, Ultimo
Cost: Free – no booking required

Ultimo College Open Day: The Science of Life – Body of Knowledge

When: Saturday 29 August, 10am – 3pm

TAFE gives you the knowledge to ignite your imagination as it is the science of life.

Come along to TAFE’S Open Day, organised by Ultimo College’s Event Management students, to explore the concept of life and death through a range of unique, gruesome and interesting activities for all – young and old.

Take the opportunity to visit and talk to a range of teaching sections and discover what TAFE can offer you!

Where: Ultimo TAFE Ultimo, Harris St
Cost: Free – no booking required

The Science of Cosmetics WORKSHOP

When: Thursday 27th August, 5.30pm – 6pm

Why the mind matters – dinner and talk

When: Thursday 27th August, 6.30pm – 9pm

After the Science of Cosmetics workshop, there’s dinner with a talk by Amanda Foxon-Hill for those who’ve booked. Amanda talks about empowering the individual to achieve better wellbeing and why she believes that everyone is beautiful.

Where: TAFE Ultimo, Harrist St. More info available when you book.
Cost: Only $30 includes 3 course dinner, no drinks. Book on 9217 5527.

Special Science talks afternoon

When: Sunday 30th August; 2pm – 3pm

Enjoy an afternoon of special Ultimo Science Festival talks at the Powerhouse Museum.

Where: Coles Theatre – Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris St, Ultimo
Cost: Free with entry to Powerhouse Museum – Adult $10, child $5 more information available here: http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/visit/hours&charges.asp

By Alex Serpo

Alex likes to listen to shells because they sing the song of the sea. He is interested in the bit of science between chemistry and biology.

As I write this, it seems the world is in a bit of a pickle. Greenhouse gas concentrations are rapidly rising and it’s thought if they cross some hidden threshold we will no long be able to stop ‘runaway’ climate change.

Runaway climate change. Image: Holyrood 350 (http://holyrood350.org)

This means we need a simple solution to a complex problem – and fast. Experts say if we are going to solve the problem, we are going to need a mixture of different renewable energy sources. Options include: wind, solar, biofuels, geothermal, wave and tide.

Of all the renewables listed above, one stands as different. Did you say biofuels? Well you’d be right.

Why? Because biofuel is the only renewable energy source listed that isn’t a direct source of electricity. Now, before you jump up and down about rising food prices and destruction of rainforest to grow palm oil, let’s take a closer look at the black sheep of renewable energy.

Continue Reading »

By Pat Mahony

Pat Mahony is an Environmental Researcher at ANSTO and former president of the Young Scientists of Australia.

So, what does nuclear power mean to you? For many, it means green glow, Chernobyl and Homer Simpson. Throw in the words ‘dangerous’,'meltdown’, ‘cancer’ and ‘radioactive waste’ and you have a frightening picture of a technology that supplies around one-sixth of the world’s electricity.

Nuclear Power Plant

But if nuclear power is so unsafe, then why is almost every developed country in the world including it as part of a long-term energy strategy?

Continue Reading »