Aug 05 2009
Skippy, The Beatles and … hands-on Science Centres!
By Ken Dickson
In no particular order, the 1960s brought the world four great things:
- The Beatles
- A man on the Moon
- Skippy the Bush Kangaroo
- Hands-on science centres!
Back then, the idea that museum material didn’t have to be just “in a display case” or “hanging on the wall” was pretty new. Both the Exploratorium in the U.S. and the Ontario Science Centre in Canada opened their doors in 1969, both pioneering a new way to learn: Things to touch! Things to do!
The very cool Palace of Fine Arts / Exploratorium on a classic foggy SF day! Image: www.squidoo.com
That’s great if you’re in North America, but what about Australia?
Fortunately, that’s where a Canberra physics lecturer at The Australian
National University, Dr Mike Gore, comes in.
“We needs one of these too!” he thought, and a few years (and a lot of sweat) later, Mike got Questacon opened in an old Canberra schoolhouse in 1980.
Success! Overcrowded on the weekend kind of success.
I bet I know what you’re thinking: “So what! Canberra? Why Canberra?! I don’t live in Canberra!”
Good point. So, in 1985 Questacon got itself a big truck, packed it full of ‘Things to touch! Things to do!’ and set out on the road, taking Questacon to fairs, fetes and folks across the country.
Fast forward to 2009, now as the National Science and Technology Centre we see more than 1,000,000 people each year, 1,000,000 more via our web site and still have the big truck – only now, it’s carbon neutral.
20 years of Questacon
What’s great about National Science Week is that it goes even further. Beyond Canberra, beyond where other centres have opened in Australia, and beyond places we drive to with the truck.
It’s gone beyond “us” too. There are lots of examples of schools, community groups, and others putting together events during National Science Week this year.
Maningrida Community Education Centre in the NT? Tick.
Shopping Trolley Science in Success WA? Tick.
Questacon Palaeontology Day here in the ACT? Tick.
More than 800 events across the country? Tick! Tick! Tick!
The 1960s brought about the idea of the hands-on science centre. With National Science Week, you’re looking at the 21st century version.
See more about National Science Week events at the Questacon here. And here. And here! You might also want to check out Questacon’s new exhibition – Perception Deception – which features more than 40 experiences and perception tests.
Ken Dickson looks after Questacon’s web site at www.questacon.edu.au.
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