The Northern Territory launch of National Science Week 2006 will take place at Charles Darwin University (CDU) today (Wednesday 9 August) with celebrations beginning at 4pm.
The launch will include a showcase of the Territory’s best science research with many of NT’s top scientists demonstrating their work at CDU’s Casuarina Campus.
CDU’s Head of Science and Primary Industries, Professor Chris Austin, said CDU was proud to be a supporter of Science Week and the innovative research taking place in the Territory.
‘As the major research contributor to science innovation in the Territory, CDU is proud to be launching National Science Week and showcasing some of its leading thinkers.
‘Research at CDU focuses on areas highly relevant to the Territory, such as tropical, desert and Indigenous knowledge and South-east Asian studies,’ Professor Austin said.
National Science Week 2006 runs from the Saturday 12 – Sunday 20 August and features more than 500 activities and events nationwide.
Chair of National Science Week NT, Adam Gromadzki, said this year $7,000 in community grants have been awarded Territory-wide to community groups to assist them in running events for National Science Week.
‘Territorians have traditionally been strong supporters of the event, with 24 events running in 2005. This year events include the Top End Science Fair (Darwin), Desert Fair (Alice Springs), Great Big Science Gig #3 (Darwin Entertainment Centre), astronomy evenings in Nhulunbuy, SCINEMA (NT Museum and Alice Springs Desert Park).
’A ‘Brain Break’ morning tea and science quiz will also be held simultaneously at science-related workplaces throughout the Northern Territory to celebrate and acknowledge the important role of science in society.
On a per capita basis, the Territory has the largest range of registered Science Week activities in Australia, covering a broad geographic region from Darwin to Alice Springs and from Tennant Creek to Nhulunbuy.
More than 2400 students from 25 primary and secondary schools as far away as Katherine, Jabiru and Batchelor will be involved in the Top End Science Fair, and Science Fairs elsewhere will also draw students and the wider community to regional centres.
For further information, contact:
Adam Gromadzki, Manager, Darwin CSIRO Science Education Centre/ Chair NT National Science Week Coordinating Committee
Telephone: 8944 8496 (w) ; 0401 795 499 (mob)
Also check out the National Science Week web page at: www.scienceweek.info.au