Sydney’s secret underground farm; Hollywood anatomy; turtle tech; dementia breakthroughs. - Science in Public
Dozens of Science Week stories around Sydney More on these highlights below. Scientists, experts and event organisers are available for interview throughout National Science Week. National Science Week in NSW: highlights A food farm under the CBD – Barangaroo Sydney’s CBD has a secret underground indoor farm, right next to Darling Harbour. Urban Green Sydney. . .
Dozens of Science Week stories around SydneyA food farm under the CBD – BarangarooAnatomy according to Hollywood – KensingtonQuantum leap: careers on tech’s weirdest frontier – ChatswoodNative bees and seaweed at Redfern – RedfernDeaf scientists discuss success and inclusion, and visit a nuclear reactor – Lucas HeightsSaving turtles? There’s an app for that – Sydney Zoo, BungarribeeFrom stone circles to space telescopes – KensingtonDementia: the science of prevention and treatment (Mandarin and English) – RydeCan toddlers think about thinking? – Online, via SydneyMore on these highlights below. Scientists, experts and event organisers are available for interview throughout National Science Week. National Science Week in NSW: highlightsA food farm under the CBD – BarangarooSydney’s CBD has a secret underground indoor farm, right next to Darling Harbour. Urban Green Sydney will open the doors to its hidden hydroponic farm in Barangaroo. Set in an underground carpark, it demonstrates how cities can strengthen food security by growing food in small or underused spaces through innovation, smart design, and simple growing systems. Owner and founder Noah Verin can talk about the use of growing mediums like coconut coir instead of soil, transforming what would otherwise be a waste product, like coconut husk, into a valuable resource for growing plants. It’s a simple example of circular farming in action, where waste is reduced and materials are reused in smarter ways. Visitors will explore how plants grow, how modern food systems work and how simple hydroponic methods can be used at home. And they can taste a range of the most popular greens. A live hydroponic Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) system will be on display, giving people the chance to see how water, nutrients, and lighting work together to support healthy plant growth in compact urban setups. Schools, offices, community groups and other organisations can also take part in a nationwide microgreens growing experiment by ordering and usingSeed to STEM Grow Kits. Underground farm tours: Monday 17 August to Friday 21 August. Event details:www. scienceweek. net. au/event/under-the-pavement-farming-solutions-to-the-future-of-food/barangarooSydney CBD pop-up: Wednesday 19 August. Event details:www. scienceweek. net. au/event/seed-to-stem-urban-farm-pop-up/sydney-cbdMedia enquiries: Rebecka Walter,rebecka@urbangreensydney. comor 0421 241 456. Urban Green Sydney owner Noah Verin and client chefs are available for media interviews. Noah is a former chef and studied environmental science while at university. Anatomy according to Hollywood – KensingtonEver watched a movie scene and thought,“there’s no way way the human body works like that. . right?”Dr Kosta Kotsidis can explain what Hollywood gets right and gets very wrong, with examples drawn from House, Indiana Jones, Austin Powers, Poltergeist (and many more). Kosta will explore human bodies on screen and the real science of anatomy in his hilarious and fact-filled public talk Anatomy According to Holllywood, set in the unique and revealing Museum of Human Disease. Recommended for ages 16 and above. This event includes discussion of human anatomy, injury, horror themes and clips or references from MA15+ films and television programs. Thursday 20 August. Event details:www. scienceweek. net. au/event/anatomy-according-to-hollywood/unswDr Kosta Kotsidisis available for media interviews. Media enquiries: Jo Dable,j. dable@unsw. edu. auor 02 9065 0330Quantum leap: careers on tech’s weirdest frontier – ChatswoodAre there jobs in quantum? Students in Years 8 to 12 can get hands-on with quantum technology and hear directly from people working in the field at ‘Quantum Future Talent: From Curiosity to Career’, hosted by the Sydney Quantum Academy. The event gives an accessible introduction to quantum computing and cybersecurity, career talks from industry professionals, and interactive demonstrations – including quantum devices, VR experiences and explainer presentations that use skipping ropes and giant balls to demystify the science. Attendees can also connect with NSW universities including Macquarie, UNSW, the University of Sydney and UTS to explore study pathways into the growing field. Tuesday 18 August. Event details:www. scienceweek. net. au/event/quantum-futures-curiosity-to-career/chatswoodMedia enquiries: Emily Cook,emily. cook@sydney. edu. auor 0403 907 098Professor Peter Turner, Director of Sydney Quantum Academy, is available for media interviews. Photo/filming opportunities: hands-on quantum demos including VR experiences (sample footage on SQA’sYouTube). Additional accredited-mediaimages/footage available. Prof Turner’s bio is on the Sydney Quantum Academy website. Native bees and seaweed at Redfern – RedfernLearn how to care for Country with native bees, seaweed and Indigenous technology developed over thousands of years at the Indigenous Science Experience. This free event at the Redfern Community Centre celebrates Indigenous knowledge systems through interactive physics and chemistry experiments, yarning with Elders and a VR experience of Torres Strait Islander culture. Saturday 22 August. Event details:www. scienceweek. net. au/event/indigenous-science-experience-at-redfern-7/redfernMedia enquiries: Joanne Jamie,joanne. jamie@mq. edu. au, 02 98508283, or 0439 170 683Deaf scientists discuss success and inclusion, and visit a nuclear reactor – Lucas HeightsWhat does it take to succeed in STEM? How can accessible science help Deaf students study and work on the cutting edge of research and technology? A panel of Deaf STEM professionals will share their stories and discuss diversity in Australian science at ANSTO Lucas Heights this Science Week. Deaf students will tour Australia’s nuclear reactor, and research and medical manufacturing facilities before joining the Auslan-accessible panel discussion and Q&A. Sunday 16 August. Event details:www. scienceweek. net. au/event/ansto-x-auslan/lucas-heightsMedia enquiries: Bridget Murphy,bridgetm@ansto. gov. au, (02) 9717 3090See promo video for last year’s event:www. youtube. com/watch?v=nAAAsLRJkxcSaving turtles? There’s an app for that – Sydney Zoo, BungarribeeHelp save turtles and frogs with smartphone apps, find out about chimps and orangutans from Jane Goodall’s Aussie friends, or build a bee or bug hotel at Sydney Zoo this August. Visitors can swing by the Innovation Hub to learn from First Nations educators, map ecosystems through food-web challenges, experiment with thermal cameras used in field science, and explore how human light and sound influence species from hatchling turtles to flying foxes. Wildlife detectives on the Discovery Trail will meet twelve threatened species, solve an interactive mystery and learn how cool technology, citizen science and kid-led innovation are transforming conservation around the world. Saturday 15 August-Sunday 23 August. Event details:www. scienceweek. net. au/event/growing-conservation-through-innovation/bungarribeeMedia enquiries: Jessica,education@sydneyzoo. comFrom stone circles to space telescopes – Kensington‘The Infinite Look: A History of Gazing Skyward’ examines humanity’s long relationship with the cosmos through the instruments built to study it – from ancient stone observatories tracking the sun and moon to the James Webb Space Telescope – alongside the cultural traditions that give the night sky meaning. Curated by UNSW Library with the School of Physics and the School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, the exhibition draws on UNSW’s archives, art collection and scientific instrument museum, and features artworks by Timothy Cook, Anissa Jones, Sylvia Kanytjupai Ken, Glen Mackie (Kei Kalak), Segar Passi and Abdullah M. I. Syed. The exhibition acknowledges First Nations Elders and recognises Sky Country as a vital extension of land and sea – a map of knowledge, spirituality and science underpinning the oldest living culture on Earth. Saturday 15 – Thursday 20 August. Event details:www. scienceweek. net. au/event/the-infinite-look-a-history-of-gazing-skyward/kensingtonMedia enquiries: Giulia Giorgi,g. giorgi@unsw. edu. auor 0424 146 714Dementia: the science of prevention and treatment (Mandarin and English) – RydeOur brains naturally slow down a little as we get older, but serious health issues like dementia are far more severe (and worrying). Professor Daniel Chan can explain how doctors identify dementia, the latest research on prevention and treatment, and how to best support yourself or someone in your life following a diagnosis. Daniel is an expert on vascular demntia, Parkinson’s disease and geriatric health. He is presenting a talk on these topics in Mandarin at Ryde Library (followed by a Q&A session) during National Science Week. Thursday 20 August. Event details:www. scienceweek. net. au/event/dementia-prevention-by-prof-chan-presented-in-mandarin/rydeMedia enquiries: South Western Sydney Local Health District media office,swslhd-media@health. nsw. gov. auor 02 8738 6848 (After Hours Mobile: 0417 697 079)Can toddlers think about thinking? – Online, via SydneyEarly childhood educators can learn how to deepen children’s critical thinking and metacognition through STEM in a two-hour interactive online workshop run by Little Scientists Australia. The session moves beyond simply engaging children’s curiosity, giving educators practical strategies and open-ended questions to help infants, toddlers and preschoolers reflect, predict and reason – from documenting learning with photos and floor books to embedding critical thinking into everyday play. Tickets include access to a recording for anyone who can’t tune in live. Thursday 20 August. Event details:www. scienceweek. net. au/event/little-scientists-online-educator-workshop-strategies-to-deepen-childrens-critical-thinking-metacognition-through-stemMedia enquiries: Emma or Lara,hello@littlescientists. org. auor 02 8080 0065A Little Scientists trainer/educator is available for media interviews about the workshop, early STEM education and Little Scientists more broadly. Photo and video opportunities can also be arranged.