What’s On at Scienceworks July to August 2008
Imagination Factory – Invent and Play
Discover how simple machines can be used to create ingenious inventions. Investigate basic mechanical tools and find out how we use gears, levers, pulleys and cams in everyday life. With dozens of hands-on interactive exhibits, this exhibition will have the gears of your mind spinning with new ways to think about the mechanical world around you.
Developed by Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre, Canberra. Proudly supported by Raytheon.
Date: Until 3 May 2009
Cost: $11 adult, $4 concession, $3.50 child (includes Scienceworks entry)
Discover the Night Sky
Evening Planetarium Program
Due to the popularity of March’s season of Discover the Night Sky, the Melbourne Planetarium at Scienceworks presents special after-dark sessions, Thursday evenings in August. All evenings include complimentary wine and cheese, the opportunity to chat to the Planetarium’s Astronomer and be immersed in a Planetarium experience. The evening will finish with stargazing through telescopes (weather permitting)
Each evening will showcase a different aspect of the night sky:
Thursday 7 August: Deep Sky Wonders
Explore some of the most exciting highlights the sky has to offer. Get up close and personal with magnificent galaxies, sparkling star clusters, mysterious gas clouds and much more.
Thursday 14 August: Backyard Astronomy
It’s not just stars you can see in the night sky – planets, comets, shooting stars and satellites are all there if you know when and where to look. Navigate by the stars and discover how you can become a backyard astronomer.
Thursday 21 August: Travel the Universe
We invite you on a tour of the Universe that will take you from Spotswood to the far reaches of space. You know the Universe is big, really big, but nothing can compare with experiencing it for yourself.
Thursday 28 August: Leaving Earth
It’s been 50 years since the first satellite was launched into space. Now one of them is a permanent home. See what it’s like to live in space; why do we go there and where are we heading next?
Date: Thursday evenings throughout August 2008.
Session times: Commence 7pm.
Cost: $25 per person, MV members $20, Season pass $85.
Bookings essential: Bookings open 2nd June, 2008. Call 03 9392 4819 Monday to Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm
The 2008 Allison-Levick Lecture – Hot News from the Big Bang
Malcolm Longair, a leading UK Astrophysicist from the Cavendish Lab – University of Cambridge, will conduct a lecture discussing recent developments in our understanding of the origin and evolution of the Universe. The night will include the lecture, wine and cheese refreshments, a showing of Digital Universe (a presenter lead show run by Scienceworks Astronomer Dr Tanya Hill) in the Planetarium and telescope viewing (weather permitting).
Time: 6.30pm
Date: Friday 29 August
Cost: $25 adult, $20 MV Members
Bookings essential: 9392 4819
National Science Week 2008
Museum Victoria will be celebrating National Science Week with special lectures and events from 16 – 24 August. Visit our website for program details museumvictoria.com.au/Scienceworks
Four of Scienceworks National Science Week events include:
BASF Kids Lab
Experience the fascinating world of chemistry! Run by BASF Chemists, the chemistry workshops introduce chemistry to children in a fun and exciting way through simple and interactive hands-on experiments.
Date: Thurs 21 August to Sunday 24 August.
Cost: Free with venue admission
Bookings essential: Call 03 9392 4819 Monday to Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm
Australian Skeptics
The Australian Skeptics will be explaining the science behind the paranormal at Scienceworks. See magic illusions and wonder, try out a bed of nails and many more surprising demonstrations.
Date: 16,17, 23, 24 August
Cost: Free with venue admission
Machines in Action Day
A unique opportunity to see heritage steam engines and agricultural machinery at work. Items on display include the Cowley Steam Traction Engine, the only working Australian made traction engine in the world, along with the Super Sentinel Steam Wagon, the KL Bulldog Tractor and other historic machinery on parade. The day also included hay-baling demonstrations and tours of the historic Pumping Station
Date: Sunday 17 August
Cost: Free with venue admission
Scienceworks, 2 Booker St, Spotswood. (Melway 56, B1). Open daily 10.00am – 4.30pm. Admission: Adult $6, Children and Concession FREE. Additional charges apply to special exhibitions, Planetarium and Lightning Room shows. For further details phone 03 9392 4800 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/scienceworks
