Science festival tickets now on sale

New Zealand International Science Festival, 30 June to 8 July, Dunedin, New Zealand

Ticket and booking details to all events for the eighth New Zealand International Science Festival are now available. Themed ‘what makes us tick?’, the festival will take place in Dunedin over nine days, from 30 June to 8 July 2012.

A full programme of festival events with booking details is now available online on www.scifest.org.nz

Visiting experts include NASA astronaut Stephanie D. Wilson, a veteran of three space flights who has logged more than 42 days in space; Tom McFadden, a ‘science rapper’ and biologist from Stanford (USA), with a New Zealand-wide ‘science idol’ competition; Chris Krishna-Pillay, one of Australia’s most prominent science communicators and performers (his previous presentations include Pre-Coital ¬– the Science of Dating, Great Big Science Gig, Somnium – the Science of Sleep, and Dante’s Laboratory – the Science of Sin); Sir Ray Avery GNZM with an inspiring talk on science and innovation; and an evening presentation by popular clinical psychologist and author Nigel Latta.

Festival director Chris Green says anyone wanting to attend festival events is urged to book early.

“Many of the key events including talks by visiting experts and children’s workshops will book out quickly. We’ve increased the frequency of children’s workshops this year, taking place in the city from Mosgiel to Port Chalmers. A series of free interactive science demos will also take place in the festival hub, Wall Street Mall – so don’t miss out!”

In keeping with the theme ‘what makes us tick?’, festival-goers will discover what it is like to live in space, explore anatomical changes to humans as part of evolution, find a new ‘science idol’, experience coffee like never before and find out why ‘we are prone to believing odd things’. Live theatre is also on during the festival at The Fortune with a performance with the intriguing title In the Next Room – or the Vibrator Play. A fundraising gala night is to be held on the opening night, Saturday 30 June to benefit the Otago Medical Research Foundation.

For this eighth science festival there are over 100 events planned, from the strange to the serious –including interactive activities as part of the University of Otago’s Science Expo on Sunday 1 and Monday 2 July, street science including science buskers in the city, a ‘women in science’ breakfast, workshops and panel discussions.

Fun, interactive events and activities for kids will take place at Workshop Central (Dunedin Public Library) and Wall Street Mall as well as various locations around the city. There will be opportunities to explore career options in science as well as competitions including ‘#TYS’ (‘thank you, science’) and a family quiz night.

In addition to the high-profile visitors, the festival involves many local organisations, volunteers, institutions, external event organisers, and a range of local and national sponsors and funders including two major funding partners, the University of Otago and the Dunedin City Council.

Ticket and booking details to all festival events are now available including a full programme of events on www.scifest.org.nz For more information phone 0800 SCIFEST (0800 7243378).

ENDS

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