Great National Science Week First Nations science stories up for grabs now around Australia
- Celestial Emu: Connecting Sky Country and astronomy – Sydney
- The Indigenous night sky, bush food, and technology – Redfern, NSW
- Telescopes and TikTok: meet Indigenous astrophysicist and social media star Kirsten Banks – Albury, NSW
- Help us find the birds at Red Lily Lagoon - Jilkminggan, NT
- 140,000 years in 30 minutes: The Earth Above: A Deep Time View of Australia’s Epic History – Perth
- First Nations science and culture for conservation – Mamadawerre, NT
- Indigenous technology: Noongar axe making – Kondinin, WA
- Art-science exhibition explores science fiction – Melbourne
- Why can’t you see the stars? Why Australia needs to be kept in the dark – online
More on these below and visit ScienceWeek.net.au/events to find more stories in your area.
Scientists, experts, performers and event organisers are available for interview throughout National Science Week.
Direct contact details for each event are below or contact Tanya Ha on tanya@scienceinpublic.com.au or 0404 083 863.
Media centre here. Images for media here.
Individual event details and media contacts
Celestial Emu: Connecting Sky Country and astronomy – Sydney, NSW
Gamilaroi astrophysicist Karlie Noon and Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Daniel Mateo celebrate First Nations astronomy in the premiere of a short film project, directed by Olivia Costa.
The Celestial Emu (Gawarrgay) is a ‘dark constellation’ which comprises the dark spaces in the Milky Way between the Southern Cross and Sagittarius.
This event at Sydney Observatory forms part of the Sydney Science Festival, presented by Powerhouse.
Wednesday 14 August: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/celestial-emu/millers-point
Media enquiries: Michelle Lollo, media@powerhouse.com.au or 0419 523 735.
The Indigenous night sky, bush food, and technology – Redfern, NSW
What can Aboriginal astronomy tell us about the night sky? How are native flora used in bush medicine and soap making? How do Indigenous Australians make axes from stone and other artefacts? What can deadly science tell us about seaweed, birdlife, engineering, textiles, and more? What can 60 000+ years of Indigenous culture tell us about sustainable living?
The Indigenous Science Experience at Redfern is a celebration of Indigenous and Western science, and the achievements of Indigenous youth and Elders. This annual event demonstrates the value of traditional and contemporary Indigenous knowledge in science and technology. Indigenous students assist in demonstrating activities.
Saturday 17 August. www.scienceweek.net.au/event/indigenous-science-experience-at-redfern-4/redfern/
Media enquiries: Joanne Jamie, joanne.jamie@mq.edu.au, 0439 170 683 or 02 9850 8283.
Indigenous student leaders and event organiser Joanne Jamie (non-Indigenous) are available for media interviews. View video from 2022 event.
Telescopes and TikTok: meet Indigenous astrophysicist and social media star Kirsten Banks –Albury, NSW
Gaze at stars, learn about Indigenous astronomy, and find out the secrets of black holes with Dr Kirsten Banks, a passionate astrophysicist and science communicator with a lifelong fascination for the cosmos.
Kirsten has pursued a life-long love for space, earning a PhD in astrophysics, and delving into the depths of the Milky Way galaxy. As a proud Wiradjuri woman, Kirsten explores the mysteries of the universe and honours the rich knowledge of her ancestors.
You’ll often find Kirsten sharing her love for astronomy and space with more than 500,000 followers across social platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.
Friday 16 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/first-nations-astronomy-and-stargazing/albury/
Media enquiries: astronomerkirsten@gmail.com
Help us find the birds at Red Lily Lagoon - Jilkminggan, NT
Integrate western science and traditional knowledge in a bird and wildlife survey. Grab a pair of binoculars and join the Mangarrayi Rangers on Country at Ngarrmirngan (Red Lily Lagoon) to look for birds, practice western survey skills, and learn traditional knowledge and names of wildlife. Rangers will use the survey to make a poster of birds and wildlife for the community.
Wednesday 14 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/surveying-wildlife-at-ngarrmirngan-red-lily-lagoon/jilkminggan
Media enquiries: Amanda Lilleyman, hcp@jawoyn.org.au or 08 7903 2020.
140,000 years in 30 minutes: The Earth Above: A Deep Time View of Australia’s Epic History – Perth, WA
‘Connecting to Science through Stories and Sky’ screens a full-dome planetarium show from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage (CABAH).
Produced by Deakin MotionLab in collaboration with First Nations communities and UOW Science Space, The Earth Above: A Deep Time View of Australia’s Epic History explores Australia’s past 140,000 years through the lens of traditional and scientific knowledge.
During National Science Week, the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR), an equal joint venture between Curtin University and The University of Western Australia, presents a special screening and gathering of artists and speakers at Scitech Planetarium.
Thursday 15 August: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/connecting-to-science-through-stories-and-sky/west-perth/
Media enquiries: Charlene D’Monte, charlene.dmonte@icrar.org or 0468 579 311
First Nations science and culture for conservation – Mamadawerre, NT
Explore the importance and practice of biodiversity and conservation through Traditional Knowledge.
Nature's Custodians: Science and Culture for Conservation is a two-day workshop for students and community members of the Nawarddeken Academy, bicultural, community-driven independent school located in three First Nations homelands within the Warddeken Indigenous Protected Area in West Arnhem Land.
The workshop emphasises the importance of biodiversity and the interplay of scientific and traditional Indigenous knowledge in conservation efforts. Workshops will be held the remote communities of Mamadawerre and Manmoyi.
It’s a unique opportunity to learn from guest speakers from Warddeken Land Management, ecology specialists, Bininj and Daluk rangers.
People will explore thematic stations delving into ecosystem interdependencies, genetics, and technological innovations in conservation. They will learn all about human impacts on ecosystems. There will be DNA extraction activities, and opportunities to use drones to monitor wildlife habitats.
They will build native animal habitats, plant native flora and a plant a bush garden with support from Bininj rangers, will develop and present conservation-focused projects aligned to Warddeken Land Management’s Plan of Management, and learn about citizen science opportunities. The projects will culminate in a commitment ceremony, reinforcing the community's dedication to biodiversity preservation.
Monday 12 - Friday 16 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/natures-custodians-science-and-culture-for-conservation/mamadawerre/
Media enquiries: Kiri Marschall, Kiri@culturetech.com.au or 0437 794 649
Noongar axe making – Kondinin, WA
Wadjak and Balardong Noongar man Dylan Collard wants to share the technology of his ancestors, who were Australia’s first engineers and technologists.
He’s giving Kondinin locals the opportunity to sharpen their skills and learn about First Nations science through an axe making workshop. He will guide participants through the process of creating an axe (kodj), including preparing the materials – grinding balga sap, charcoal, and yonga goona (kangaroo poo) – and creating fire through friction with a stick.
Monday 19 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/the-first-scientists-2/kondinin
Media enquiries: Toni Smeed, Kondinin Community Resource Centre, coordinator@kondinincrc.com.au, 08 9889 1117.
Art-science exhibition explores science fiction – Parkville, VIC
The free exhibition SCI-FI: Mythologies Transformed at Science Gallery Melbourne offers fresh insights on science fiction – a genre built on envisioning alternative futures and imaginary realms.
The lines connecting science fiction with ancient philosophy and mythologies are brought to light by Asian artists and collectives. Shown in Australia for the first time, this narrative is expanded to incorporate First Nations perspectives and knowledges.
SCI-FI includes works by:
- Paola Balla, a Wemba-Wemba and Gunditjmara woman of Italian and Chinese heritage
- Japanese multidisciplinary artist Mariko Mori, whose practice explores themes of technology, spirituality, and transcendence
- Asian American artist and engineer Xin Liu, an artist-in-residence at The SETI Institute (SETI is short for ‘Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence’).
This free exhibition features contemporary artworks, historical artefacts, books, and cinema from both Asia and the West.
Image credit: Miko No Inori (1996) by Mariko Mori.
From Saturday 10 August. Event details: www.scienceweek.net.au/event/sci-fi-mythologies-transformed/parkville
Media enquiries: Katrina Hall, kathall@ozemail.com.au or 0421 153 046.
Why can’t you see the stars? – online
What happened to the night sky? The Milky Way is no longer visible to an estimated third of humanity, including more than half of Australians, thanks to light pollution.
This August, the ABC is exploring the dark sky and the impact of light pollution on science, creatures, and culture. Light pollution in the night sky is a problem for astronomers and stargazers, it confuses the circadian rhythms of some creatures and misguides the navigation of others, impacts Sky Country and Indigenous cultural practices, and contributes to sleep deprivation in humans.
ABC Science invites people to explore the dark sky, contribute to an Australian National University study of the Milky Way’s visibility, see solutions to light pollution, stargaze with Radio National and guest astronomers, and vote in their poll on ‘the most amazing thing you’ve seen in the night sky.’
Monday 31 July – Friday 16 August: www.scienceweek.net.au/exploring-dark-skies-with-abc/ or www.abc.net.au/nightsky.
Media enquiries: Shelley Thomas, shelley@scienceinpublic.com.au or 0416 377 444.
Scientists available for media interviews.
About National Science Week
National Science Week is Australia’s annual opportunity to meet scientists, discuss hot topics, do science and celebrate its cultural and economic impact on society – from art to astrophysics, chemistry to climate change, and forensics to future food.
First held in 1997, National Science Week has become one of Australia’s largest festivals. Last year about 2.7 million people participated in more than 1,860 events and activities.
The festival is proudly supported by the Australian Government, CSIRO, the Australian Science Teachers Association, and the ABC.
In 2024 it runs from Saturday 10 to Sunday 18 August. Event details can be found at www.scienceweek.net.au.
Contact details:
Direct contact details for each event are in the media release, or contact Tanya Ha on tanya@scienceinpublic.com.au or 0404 083 863.
