10daysofscience

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Small Step, Giant Leap: Celebrating Apollo at 40

When: 20 July 2009 to 10 September 2009

Info: In July 1969, the world watched in wonder during the Apollo 11 mission as Neil Armstrong took “one small step”, becoming the first human being to set foot on the Moon. This historic spaceflight represented a “giant leap for Mankind”: the first time that human beings had explored another world in person. The Apollo 11 lunar landing was one of the most significant scientific and technological events of the Twentieth Century, and the program that made it possible inspired the best and brightest students to seek out careers in the exciting fields of space exploration, astronomy and aeronautical engineering.

In July 2009, the University of Sydney’s School of Physics and the Science Foundation for Physics will present an exhibition commemorating the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11’s historic lunar landing.

Combining contemporary artefacts and memorabilia, this display will present the history of the Apollo Project and explore the relationship between the US space program and the University of Sydney’s School of Physics.

Exhibition sponsored by the US Studies Centre and the NSW Office for Science and Medical Research.

Cost: Free
Contact: Faculty of Science
Phone: 02 9351 3021
Email: info@science.usyd.edu.au
More info: http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au
More info: http://www.science.usyd.edu.au www.physics.usyd.edu.au

Where: SciTech Library, University of Sydney

No Map available

When: 31 July – 1 Aug

Info: This year’s program, FESS UP: Future Endangered Species Scientists, is designed to educate tomorrow’s scientists about the affects of climate change, the challenges facing species locally and globally and to highlight potential career paths in the sciences; including zoology, animal behaviour, pathology, conservation biology, education and veterinary science. Conservation based Science activities will be arranged in stations throughout the Zoo. Scientific methods and concepts will be embedded in fun, interactive scenarios which highlight the research and practices undertaken by the Taronga Conservation Society Australia (TCSA) and provide links to its vital contribution to wildlife conservation. Some of the stations we are anticipating running will include investigations in water quality, biodiversity, captive breeding, animal behaviour and enrichment. The stations will be conducted by student mentors, selected from high achieving Year 9 Science students, who will be trained to lead the activities for both the students and members of the public during Science Week. The mentors will undertake a Sleepover at the Zoo in early August and this will provide an opportunity for them to hear from Scientists (both from the Zoo and from external research bodies) about their roles in the science of wildlife conservation. This will also provide an opportunity to highlight the key conservation campaigns of TCSA.

Sleepover at Taronga Western Plains Zoo! Year 9 students are invited to apply to become student mentors to lead activities during Science Week. Successful applicants will begin their involvement with a sleepover at the Zoo. Here they will have the opoprutnity to learn from experts about the important role of science in conservation. They will also learn important skills in communication, presentation and peer-teaching! The students will take part in training for the workshops that will be run during National Science Week at Taronga Western Plains Zoos.

Where: Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, 2830

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Science and Environment computer workshops

Come along to Ultimo Library to learn how to use our Science and Environment Databases. Sessions also available earlier in August at Customs House Library and Surry Hills Library – details below.

When: Monday 24th of August: 11am-12pm
Where: Ultimo Library, Crn Bulwarra Rd and William Henry Street St, Ultimo
Tickets: Free but booking essential – call (02) 9298 3110 or email library[at]cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

Sessions available at other libraries

When: 18th of August:10:30am-12:30pm
Where: Customs House, 31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay
Tickets: Free but booking essential – call (02) 9265 9292 or email library[at]cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

When: 18th of August: 2pm-4pm
Where: Surry Hills Library, 405 Crown Street, Surry Hills
Tickets: Free but booking essential – call (02) 9265 9292 or email library[at]cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

When: Entries close Friday 5 August 2009

Info: The Bionics for 2020 Competition has been initiated by the ARC Centre for Excellence in Electromaterials Science (ACES) and the Faculty of Science at the University of Wollongong, in an effort to capture students imaginations and give budding scientists a chance to make their mark in an exciting area of scientific development – bionics.

We invite students from Years 8 to 11 in the Illawarra, Southern Highlands, Southern Sydney and the South Coast to come up with suggestions for bionic designs. Students need to tell us “what bionic parts they would design for humans, why and how” in the form of an essay, poster or design.

There are a number of incentives and prizes, including the opportunity for winners to spend an afternoon at the ACES labs at the Australian Institute for Intelligent Materials at the University’s Innovation Campus, with scientists working in the cutting-edge of bionics including Professor Graeme Clark inventor of the cochlear implant. The competition is also supported by the Wollongong Science Centre & Planetarium and RACI.

Entries close – Friday 5 August. Entry Forms, reference material and more details about the competition are available on the competition website at: www.electromaterials.edu.au

Where: Presentation event will be held at the Wollongong Science Centre & Planetarium, Squires Way, Fairy Meadow – the home of the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus.

Frontiers of Science

This brilliant science comic series appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald from 1962 to 1987.

A display of original artwork and reproductions from the Frontiers of Science comic series. This long-running comic strip covered space travel, Relativity, climate change and dozens of other science issues at a time when the first satellite was being launched, humans were landing on the moon, and the nuclear arms race was in full swing. The comic strip was the result of an unlikely alliance between two men from utterly different worlds. Professor Stuart Butler was a theoretical physicist at the University of Sydney and Bob Raymond was a journalist, writer, filmmaker and executive producer of ABC TV’sFour Corners program. The black and white artwork has a stunning retro look and the comics makes fascinating reading today, 40 years on. The comic strip ran for 30 years, was syndicated to hundreds of overseas newspapers and translated into 12 languages.

When: August 10 – August 29: Open weekdays only, except also open Saturday 29 August.
Where: ABC Atrium, 700 Harris St, Ultimo
Cost: Free – no booking required

Artwork kindly on loan from Rare Books and Special Collections, University of Sydney Library.

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Website: www.ultimosciencefestival.com

The Darwin Installation

When: 7am – sunset, June – August 2009

Info: Visit the spectacular garden sculpture reflecting Charles Darwin’s contribution to our understanding of the diversity and evolution of life.

Where: Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney 2000

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When: Weekdays, August – November 2009

Info: Objects and stories showcasing the work of Botanic Gardens Trust scientists and the legacy of Charles Darwin.

Where: Red Box Gallery, Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney 2000

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