Champagne science; the art of adaptation; quantum physics in a graphic novel - Science in Public
Dozens of Science Week stories around Victoria: More on these highlights below. National Science Week in Victoria is coordinated by Inspiring Victoria. Visit their website: www. rsv. org. au/inspiring-victoria. For general National Science Week media enquiries, contact scienceweek@scienceinpublic. com. au. Quantum physics and life collide in The Friendship Paradox – Brunswick East In The Friendship Paradox(Allen & Unwin 2026) scientist-turned-artist. . .
Dozens of Science Week stories around Victoria:Quantum physics and life collide in graphic novelThe Friendship Paradox– Brunswick EastThe best champagne glass and other science surprises in a bottle of bubbly – MelbourneThe meat-eating snail from Apollo BayStill life with stem cells: artist Patricia Piccinini spent a year in a labMars winds, mushroom leather, and organic creatures: artists explore adaptation for survival in Science Gallery exhibitionCell therapy one step closer for stroke patients – West WodongaMaking a five-star hotel for bees and beetlesWhat do you think is Australia’s most amazing wildflower? – onlineMore on these highlights below. National Science Week in Victoria is coordinated by Inspiring Victoria. Visit their website:www. rsv. org. au/inspiring-victoria. For general National Science Week media enquiries, contactscienceweek@scienceinpublic. com. au. Quantum physics and life collide in The Friendship Paradox – Brunswick EastInThe Friendship Paradox(Allen & Unwin 2026) scientist-turned-artistAśka(pronounced Ash-ka) tries to use physics to navigate life. Aśkais launching their latest graphic novel with a workshop teaching teens how very simple drawings can capture movement, emotion and some complicated ideas. Aśka’s previous titleStars in Their Eyes(Scholastic, 2023) was a 2024 CBCA Notable Book, Stonewall Honor Book and nominated for the Comic Arts Awards of Australia. Monday 10 August. Event details:www. scienceweek. net. au/event/the-science-of-comics-draw-ideas-bend-brains-in-a-good-way/brunswick-eastMedia enquiries: Michael Earp,michael@littlebookroom. com. auor 03 7048 4703Aśka (she/they) is available for media interviews. The best champagne glass and other science surprises in a bottle of bubbly – MelbourneFrom the best shape for a champagne glass to the physics of fizz, there’s a lot of surprising science packed into a lovely bottle of bubbly (and a few misleading myths). Emma Donnellyis available to explore the science of Champagne, uncorking history, science, and the secret to a perfect pour. Emma studied Champagne through the University of Champagne-Ardenne in France before founding Culinary Science to combine her love of flavour, psychology and sensory science. Tuesday 25 August. Event details:www. scienceweek. net. au/event/champagne-science-bubbles-myths-and-magic/melbourneMedia enquiries: Emma Donnelly,emma@comm-it. com. auor 0408 955 234. Emma Donnelly is available for media interviews. The meat-eating snail from Apollo Bay – Apollo BayMeet a meat-eating snail with sharp teeth that hunts slugs and earthwords: the Otways black snail fixes prey in place with long backwards-facing teeth arranged in a V on the underside of its foot. The Otway Range’s woodlands, gullies and coastal grasslands are home to the black snail and other highly-endangered species, including long-nose potoroos, tiger quolls and swamp wallabies, living in a sanctuary maintained by the non-profit social enterprise Wildlife Wonders. Within the predator-proof zone the Conservation Ecology Centre researches Australian biodiversity and conservation. During National Science Week, children and student groups can join guided walking tours of the sanctuary for free. Saturday 15 August-Sunday 23 August. Event details:www. scienceweek. net. au/event/walk-with-wildlife-experience-3/apollo-bayMedia enquiries: Sasha Heath,sasha@wildlifewonders. org. auand 03 7046 1664. Still life with stem cells: artist Patricia Piccinini spent a year in a lab – ParkvilleWorld-renowned Australian artist Patricia Piccininni spent a year immersed in stem cell research laboratories to create her newest work,Células Madre, which revisits her seminal early workStill Life in Stem Cells25 years later. Patricia will explore hope, art and science in conversation with leading stem-cell expert Professor Melissa Little, as part of the EMERGENCE(Y) exhibition at the Melbourne Science Gallery. Saturday 15 August. Event details:www. scienceweek. net. au/event/in-conversation-patricia-piccinini-and-professor-melissa-little-2/parkvillePatricia Piccininni and Melissa Little are available for interviews. Media enquiries for Ms Piccininni: Katrina Hall,kathall@ozemail. com. auor 0421 153 046Media enquiries for Prof Little: Helen Flett,helen. flett@mcri. edu. auor 0408 341 182Artists explore adaptation for survival in Science Gallery exhibition – ParkvilleUS artistDavid Bowenuses wind data collected from the Perseverance Mars rover to maketele-present wind,while designer and academicAlia Parkergrew vats of fungal leather for her collection of modern mushroom clothing that is naturally fire-retardant, hydrophobic and compostable. Patricia Piccinnispent a year immersed in stem cell research laboratories to createCélulas Madre, which revisits her seminal early work Still Life with Stem Cells. These collisions of art and science are all part of EMERGENCE(Y), an exhibition at the University of Melbourne’s Science Gallery that explores how humanity can adapt in the face of environmental, social and political collapses. Saturday 15 to Saturday 22 August. Event details:www. scienceweek. net. au/event/emergencey/parkville-vic-3052Media enquiries: Katrina Hall,kathall@ozemail. com. auor 0421 153 046Exhibition curator Tilly Boleyn, Australian designer and academic Alia Parker and US artist David Bowen are available for media interviews. Stem-cell treatment one step closer for stroke patients – West WodongaA stem cell therapy targeting the damage caused by acute strokes will begin Phase II clinical trials in Victorian hospitals later this year, offering new hope for stroke patients around the world. Co-lead of the clinical trial Chris Sobey will discuss his research into inflammation in the brain and the development of the new treatment in a free event at La Trobe University’s Albery-Wodonga campus. Amnion stem cell therapy, which was developed in collaboration by La Trobe University, Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Monash Health, recently passed a critical safety benchmark. Now the second stage of clinical trials will establish the efficacy of the treatment for ischemic stroke patients. Wednesday 19 August. Event details:www. scienceweek. net. au/event/chris-sobey-dedicating-a-lifetimes-work-to-science-and-new-treatments-for-stroke/west-wodonga/Media enquiries: Julia Brown,Julia. Brown@latrobe. edu. auMaking a five-star hotel for bees and beetles – RingwoodFamilies, gardeners and volunteers will work together to build a giant insect hotel for the Bedford Park Community Garden at Bug City: Building Biodiversity Together, a free hands-on event exploring the vital role native bees, butterflies and other beneficial bugs play in healthy gardens. Visitors will learn how these creatures help pollinate plants and boost biodiversity, take part in hands-on activities, and help construct the insect hotel from recycled and natural materials – a permanent, educational feature for the community once complete. A free community barbecue and light refreshments will be on offer, along with opportunities to connect with local schools, environmental groups and sustainability organisations. Sunday 16 August. Event details:www. scienceweek. net. au/event/bug-city-building-biodiversity-together/ringwoodMedia enquiries: Helen Martin,community@crccinc. org. auor 03 9870 2602. What do you think is Australia’s most amazing wildflower? – onlineABC Science wants Australians to discover our hidden “flower power”, the kind you find in botanical gardens rather than hippie communes. With the help of experts, ABC Science has selected ten flowering plants from across the country. Not just another banksia or waratah, but blooms from the unsung understory that also do something unbelievable. These ten wildflowers are more than just a pretty face; each one hides a surprising superpower. The public will decide which is the most amazing. Voting to decide Australia’s most amazing wildflower will start just before National Science Week in August, with the winning bloom announced on Friday August 21 in a live broadcast on Radio National. Wednesday 5 August – Friday 21 August. To find out more and vote, go towww. abc. net. au/wildflowers. For interviews with Dr Ann Jones, contact Rob Caulley, ABC Publicity,Caulley. Rob@abc. net. au.