Australian science festival launch

Australian science festival launch

The achievements of all Australian scientists have been honoured at the launch of the Australian Science Festival and National Science Week.

Federal Science Minister Peter McGauran launched the celebrations highlighting Australian science and technology, at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.

"Australia has a proud history of scientific achievements and we often take for granted the work of our scientists," Mr McGauran said.

"National Science Week and the Australian Science Festival help to focus attention on the efforts of Australian scientists and researchers who make an enormous contribution to our daily lives."

Mr McGauran said National Science Week provided several opportunities to showcase the achievements of scientists, both nationally and internationally.

"It is important to publicly honour some of our high-achievers in the field of science through major science awards such as the Prime Minister’s Science Prizes and the Eureka Awards,’" Mr McGauran said.

Mr McGauran also emphasised the importance of encouraging an interest in science among young people, citing the achievements of Australian youth in forums such as the Rio Tinto Australian Science Olympiads and the National Youth Science Forum.

"The Australian Science Festival and National Science Week both receive great support from science teachers, science communicators and community volunteers," Mr McGauran said.

"There’s more than 1000 official events and school activities planned around the nation during science week."

Among the high-profile events are: the ‘Sleek Geek Week’ tour with popular science personalities Dr Karl Kruszelnicki and JJJ’s Adam Spencer; ‘The Science of Sex in the Pub’; ‘Big Ideas=Big Business’; and ‘The Nature of Evil’.

www.scienceweek.info.au

© Scoop Media