Riverina Science Festival returns to captivate young minds

Budding scientists will be encouraged to ponder our future with robots, and other scientific questions, when the Riverina Science Festival returns to the Wagga Wagga City Library.

Library Manager Claire Campbell said the Festival aims to captivate and engage children in science, with plenty of hands-on activities to stimulate young minds ranging from a robot zoo to 3D printing, virtual reality and Indigenous science.

“We’ve added new activities to the program which runs from 12 – 18 August, and several will return, including Kitchen Science for pre-schoolers and the microscope program CLOSER,” she said.

“Also returning is the National Indigenous Science Education Program (NISEP). Facilitated by Riverina Science Hub partners – including Charles Sturt University, NISEP High Schools and local Indigenous Elders – the program will share both modern chemistry and ancient Indigenous science and technology.

“RoboDay promises to be a fabulous event and I anticipate the entire Civic Centre will be buzzing with an array of robot-inspired activities. Look out for the Robot Catwalk, Virtual and Augmented Reality sites, Robot Petting Zoo, 3-D Print Room, Microscope Nerve Centre or get hands-on manipulating robots around an arena at the Ground-Based Robot Room.

“Every evening the Civic Centre’s walls will light up with all things robotic with the Festival’s digital projection animation by local artist Alice Peacock. This whimsical and creative piece will celebrate emerging technologies highlighted throughout the festival, including drones, 3D printing, virtual reality and humanoid robots.”

“Thanks to the hard work of the Riverina Science Hub members, and a grant of $18,482 from the Federal Government Inspiring Australia program, this year’s festival will be bigger than ever.”

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES

Robotics Digital Projection

A unique robotics-themed projection created especially for the Riverina Science Festival.

When: Nightly, 9 August – 5 September

Where: Side of the Wagga Wagga Civic Centre

Marrambidya Wetlands Open Day (tour fully booked)

Learn more about the creation of the Marrambidya Wetlands, the habitat it provides for animals and birds and listen to stories about the environment and Aboriginal culture.

When: Sunday, 12 August: 10am – 1pm

Where: Marrambidya Wetlands, Narrung St

Tolland Community Science Day

A fun day of hands-on science activities from the National Indigenous Science Education Program (NISEP) with local NISEP science teachers and students; Chemistry scientists from Charles Sturt University and Indigenous Elders who will share the science of the First Australians – stone tools and rope making, weaving and Wiradjuri Sky Stories. Also attending is Joanne Jamie, NISEP Co-Director from Macquarie University.

When: Monday, 13 August from 10am

Where: Tolland Community Hub, Bruce St

Kitchen Science Storytime

Inquisitive preschoolers are welcome to get involved in hands-on science activities.

When: 15th August and 17th August, 10.30am

Where: Wagga Wagga City Library, Downstairs Children's area

RoboDay (coding workshops fully booked)Look out for the robot catwalk, robot petting zoo, 3-D print room, microscope nerve centre or get hands-on manipulating robots around an arena at the Ground-Based Robot Room.

When: Saturday, 18 August, 10am – 4pm

Where: Wagga Wagga Civic Centre

Note: City of Wagga Wagga Mayor, Cr Greg Conkey is talking with robots at 10am at the Robot Catwalk.