Western Sydney University celebrates National Science Week 2024

Western Sydney University will celebrate National Science Week 2024 through a range of exciting events.

Taking place from 10 - 18 August, the annual initiative showcases science and technology across Australia.

Western Sydney University is also a foundation partner of this year’s Sydney Science Festival presented by the Powerhouse Museum.

Event highlights, including from the Sydney Science Festival and featuring experts and students from the University, include:

Castle Hill Science Day Event, Sydney Science Festival

Powerhouse Castle Hill, Saturday 10 August 2024, 10am – 4pm

Join us for free science fun for all ages at Powerhouse Castle Hill exploring space transmission with access to the Powerhouse Collection and artist-led workshops.

Register: https://powerhouse.com.au/program/castle-hill-science-day#program

Parramatta Family Science Day Event, Sydney Science Festival

Parramatta Square, Saturday 17 August 2024, 10am – 3pm

A full day of free hands-on science fun for all ages. Presented by Powerhouse Parramatta and City of Parramatta. The day includes Meet a Scientist opportunities, and live demonstrations from Western Sydney University students, engineers and researchers on their work on cognitive neuroscience, AI, and space technology.

Register: https://powerhouse.com.au/program/sydney-science-festival-family-day#programs--bookings-required

  • Includes, Meet a Scientist, featuring Dr Anna Azabdaftari, School of Science, on 17 August 2024 from 10am‒3pm at PHIVE, Parramatta. Sold out.
  • Includes, Western Sydney University Demonstration, 17 August 2024 10am–3pm at Parramatta Square. Live demonstrations from Western Sydney University students, engineers and researchers on their work on cognitive neuroscience, AI and space technology. All welcome.
ERTHWRX24, featuring panelist and performance by Dr Mark Temple, School of Science

The CORRIDOR Project, Wyangala, from Friday 9 August 2024

ERTHWRX24 is a multi-day community event of panel-talks, exhibitions, presentations, performances, installations and workshops. This event involves the nexus between science, arts, culture, and activist discourse focused on environmentalism. It will bring together community, scientists and artists. Dr Temple will join an industry panel and perform ‘Eucalyptus Monologues’.

https://www.scienceweek.net.au/event/erthwrx24-national-science-week-2024/wyangala/

Science in the Scrub, featuring Associate Professor Paul Rymer, with PhD candidates Chaminda Alahakoon, Zahra Emlaei, and Caitlin Eileen Dagg, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

Lizard Log Amphitheatre, Western Sydney Parklands, Sunday 11 August 2024, 11am – 3pm

A free family fun day at Western Sydney Parklands. Experience a pop-up village of scientific wonder with live shows, hands-on experiments, native animals, and over 30 exciting stalls. Associate Professor Paul Rymer, along with PhD candidates Chaminda Alahakoon, Zahra Emlaei, and Caitlin Eileen Dagg from the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment will engage on impacts and adaptation to global change in Western Sydney’s natural ecosystems under the Cumberland Plain Research program.

https://www.greatersydneyparklands.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/science-in-the-scrub-2024

Sydney Zoo – National Science Week Event, featuring Associate Professor Ricky Spencer, School of Science

Sydney Zoo, Eastern Creek, 10 -18 August 2024

How are scientists, zookeepers and local heroes working together to ensure species survival? Be inspired and get hands on with activities for all ages throughout the week. Associate Professor Ricky Spencer and his team of HDR students will tell you all about turtles and the way he and his team are working to preserve and build on their habitats.

Book: https://sydneyzoo.com/education/science-week/

'Protecting the Cumberland Plain of Western Sydney from climate change' presented by Associate Professor Paul Rymer, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment

Penrith Library, Wednesday 14 August 2024, 6.30pm -7.30pm

The Cumberland Plain in western Sydney, with its gentle topography and fertile soils, has been heavily developed, leading to significant loss of native vegetation and biodiversity, now among the most threatened in New South Wales.

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/science-at-the-local-protecting-the-cumberland-plain-from-climate-change-tickets-952410995927?aff=erelexpmlt

National Science Week Cultural Astrology Night, hosted by the Maldhan Ngurr Ngurra Lithgow Transformation Hub

Lithgow Blast Furnace, Saturday 17 August 2024, 4.30pm - 7.30pm

Join us for an evening of Cultural Astronomy with Dark Skies Downunder. Celebrating National Science Week and celebrating First Nations contributions as the first scientists of this land. Gathering at Lithgow's iconic Blast Furnace we will enjoy viewing the night sky through a range of telescopes with PhD candidate Trevor Leaman and light refreshments provided by Keshara Indigenous Fusion Food Catering.

https://www.scienceweek.net.au/event/cultural-astronomy-night/lithgow/

National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology featuring more than 1000 events around Australia, including those delivered by universities, schools, research institutions, libraries, museums and science centres.

For more information and a full listing of Western’s online events celebrating National Science Week, please visit the webpage (opens in a new window).

Returning to Sydney for its tenth year and coinciding with National Science Week, this year’s Sydney Science Festival program unites local and international speakers who are pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the skies above, our diverse landscapes and the intricate connections between us all.

For more information on the Sydney Science Festival, please visit the webpage (opens in a new window).

ENDS

7 August 2024

Media Unit

Photo credit: Sally Tsoutas

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