Sydney gets the formula right with the Sydney Science Festival
By Jay Chabon
If you think science is just something that happened under the hawkish eye of your lab-coated teacher back in school, the 2018 Sydney Science Festival is the relief of those notions.
The festival, in its third year, plays host to 175 official events this year, which is 50 more than last year.
It showcases science through a program of family-friendly workshops, exhibitions, events and talks by world-renowned scientists.
You can discover everything from how science will shape the future of forensics to virtual reality-assisted time travel.
At Song Hotels, you’re well situated to explore Sydney’s scientific mind through many key festival experiences.
The following events perfectly showcase how science experiences are discoverable in the most interesting places.
MAASive Lates: Science
The Museum of Applied Arts and Science (MAAS) cranks up the after-dark treatment at Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum for the Sydney Science Festival’s opening night — and you’re invited to come explore.
If you’ve ever fantasised about speed-meeting a scientist (name anybody who hasn’t), this is where you can do it. In fact, if your fantasy was particularly agreeable, there’s the potential to possibly meet two.
As you wander Powerhouse, you’ll discover speed-meets are just part of the fun however.
You can also tune out of reality and into virtual reality in the The Lab, get starry-eyed with Sydney Observatory astronomers and telescopes and settle into the shoes of scientists, engineers, thinkers, artists and inventors, as you participate in the interactive activities of the long-running Experimentations exhibition.
MAASive Lates: Science is good scientific evidence that a night out in Sydney can be both fun and educational.
MAASive Lates: Science happens August 9, 6-9pm at Powerhouse Museum.
Free entry. 18+. Bookings essential.
https://sydneyscience.com.au/2018/event/maasive-lates-science/
Super Science Saturday
Super Science Saturday is an ideal scratch for the whole family’s science itch.
Staged at the Australian Museum over one bumper day, the expo’s mix of experiments, activities, performances and workshops illuminates science’s lively side.
On the one hand, you might say the event is all about exploring science and getting to know its bounty of ideas.
On the other, your kids will tell you it’s all about guffawing at explosions at the Street Science Show, watching live animal shows, spotting roaming scientists and getting your face sloshed with face paint.
But us adults will also find plenty of stimulation by giving an ear to conversations about the relationship between Aboriginal bush food and medicine and the stories of science through the eyes of science journalists.
Super Science Saturday happens August 11, 9:30am-4pm.
Kids under 2 free; kids over 2 $10; adults $20.
Price options range from $0-$48.
https://sydneyscience.com.au/2018/event/super-science-saturday/#_=_
Human non Human
If you don’t catch Human non Human at Powerhouse on Sydney Science Festival’s opening night, you still have the rest of the festival (and until January 27 next year) to do so.
But it’s not an experience to avoidably delay.
Human non Human gets into the weeds of what makes us human and how the onset of technology, connectivity and environmental ageing has the potential to transform the human experience in four key areas: food, work, sex and belief.
The four installations on show are designed to stimulate your ideas about how non-human entities such as plants, animals, buildings and robots shape who we are.
Human non Human is an intriguing exhibition space to immerse yourself in to ruminate on the possible future of humankind.
Human non Human is included in the admission price for Powerhouse Museum.
Status Critical: a Conservation Challenge
It’s true that the zoo is the place for gawk-offs with nature’s finest beastlies but viewing platforms and screens are just one of many ways to dial into the comings and goings of the animal kingdom.
Status Critical: a Conservation Challenge, a collaboration between Taronga Zoo and Sydney University, take things further by giving zoo visitors the opportunity to explore the zoo for the day as conservation change-makers.
You have six tasks to complete to help conserve legacy species including the platypus, marine turtle and Sumatran tiger.
In the process, you’ll learn about strategies to address species survival threats such as climate change, pollution and poaching.
Status Critical is a unique feel-good way to get to know endangered species through the eyes of a scientist.
Status Critical takes place Saturday August 18, 930am-430pm.
Free with zoo entry.
No bookings needed.
https://taronga.org.au/taronga-zoo/sydney-science-festival/conservation-challenge