Topic: Chemistry and Materials

Bottlenecked: Recycling bottles into local roads

Fiona Schreures, Resource Recovery Projects Coordinator from Shoalhaven City Council had a dilemma. What do you do with a 10,000 tonne mountain of stockpiled, dirty contaminated glass waste (fines) that no none wants to recycle and you don’t want to landfill? Wash it of course! Shoalhaven City Council developed a solution to clean and recycle…

Glass Houses: Turning glass into concretre

Professor Tim McCarthy, Director of the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre at the University of Wollongong, is passionate about Sustainable Engineering and Engineering Education. Tim will share how his research and practice expands the sustainable future of construction by finding ways to use waste glass as a productive ingredient in building materials such as lightweight concrete.

Mind-Blowing Glass: How glassblowing has captivated art & science

The unique properties of glass have captivated artists and scientists for millennia. Glass beads first appeared around 4,500 years ago and since that time glass has both relied upon and driven advancements across scientific and creative realms. Contemporary art and design curator, Holly Williams will discuss the role glass has played in our philosophical  and…

See the Light: Looking at Lighthouse Lenses.

Ian Clifford, President of Lighthouses Australia, will share how lighthouse lenses work. 2022 coincides with the 200th anniversary of the invention of the Fresnel lens used in lighthouses around the world. This is a great opportunity to remind locals and tourists of the remarkable history that is held in more than 300 lighthouses and maritime…

Cool Science!

What’s cooler than a Melbourne winter? Cool Science! Join us for an afternoon of frozen, scien-trific fun as we explore some seriously cool substances and the strange things they can do. An entertaining show from an experienced science presenter and some hands-on activities to try for school age kids and their families. Afternoon tea provided….

Discussions & Dragons

Join the team behind the TRPG-meets-science podcast ‘Dungeons & Doctorates’ for a chat about all things at the boundary between science and entertainment, from DnD to other TTRPG’s and beyond. Jump into the Twitch chat to ask your questions of our panellists and participate in the discussion as we unpack science’s place in popular culture….

Marble Run Challenge

Marbles are made of glass and have been popular toys for many years. Making a path for a marble to travel down engages students with physics, and explores the concepts of gravity, friction and angles. This is a creative activity that can be taken in different directions depending on your learning objectives and the interests of your students.

Dr Karl\’s National Science Week Comedy Hour

Australia’s favourite science voice has conquered radio, TV, the lecture hall, and is now turning his sights towards the comedy stage!Heard weekly on triple j popularising science, a veteran of the Midday Show, Good Morning Australia, the Today Show, and Sunrise, and proud author of (so far) 47 books, the only thing that matches his prodigious output is his endless enthusiasm…

Sensational Science

Join Rose & Sally at Yarra Junction Library for 3 experiments: Lava Lamps; Stick to it; and Who’s Got Gas? For ages 6-12.