Double dip during National Science Week

THE recent 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing is the perfect precursor for the two free events Ballarat Library is running during National Science Week.

Destination Moon and Beyond: Fizzies Education Show blasts off at Ballarat Tech School on Monday 12 August, while the Library will host Aboriginal Astronomy on Friday, 16 August.

Lesley Morgan, Ballarat Libraries’ Co-Ordinator of Community Engagement and Partnerships, said Science Week highlights the exploration and discovery of a broad range of topics under the science umbrella.

“A flow on effect could be supporting or promoting STEM career prospects, in particular for girls and women,” she said. “Science is very significant to Australia as a country.”

Ms Morgan said Ben Z will present, a fun filled hour of discovery for kids, parents and budding astronauts examining the science required to reach the moon and the space programs that make it happen.

From trajectories and orbits to rocketry and materials science, Ben will examine current and future space programs, operations and missions.

National Science Week celebrates Australian scientists and technology while encouraging the community to learn more about the world in which they live, Ms Morgan said.

Krystal De Napoli, Astrophysics student and Kamilaroi woman, will share the ways Indigenous Australians encode scientific information in their traditions during a one-and-a-half-hour presentation at the Library.

“Ms De Napoli’s presentation is geared towards an adult audience and is filling up fast,” Ms Morgan said.

Ms De Napoli will feature videos of dances, songs and interviews with elders to explain how this knowledge is passed to successive generations.

Destination Moon and Beyond: Fizzies Education Show is at Ballarat Tech School, MB John Building, Level 1, 136 Albert Street, Ballarat Central on Monday, 12 August from 4.30 to 5.30 pm.

Aboriginal Astronomy is at Ballarat Library, 178 Doveton Street North, Ballarat on Friday, 16 August from 6.30 to 8.30pm.

Both shows are free however bookings are necessary and should be made at eventbrite.com.au or by phoning 5338 6850 or emailing [email protected].