$500,000 in National Science Week grants were announced today by the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Christopher Pyne. The 2016 National Science Week grants will support 41 projects in every state and territory around Australia.
Students from Magill Primary School in Adelaide helped mark today’s announcement by singing Dinosaur Stampede with one of the 2016 National Science Week grant recipients, Professor Flint.
Acting Questacon Director Kate Driver said that National Science Week is one of the world’s largest celebrations of science.
“As Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre, Questacon is honoured to administer National Science Week. Last year more than 1.2 million Australians participated in over 1700 events around the country. We expect 2016 to be similar, if not bigger,” Ms Driver said.
Now in its 20th year, National Science Week is a key part of the Australian Government’s Science for Australia’s Future – Inspiring Australia programme and a collaboration between the Australian Government, ABC Science, CSIRO and the Australian Science Teachers Association.
National Science Week is an opportunity for Australians to meet scientists, discuss the hot topics and celebrate cultural and economic impact of science on society.
“National Science Week events don’t just happen at universities and museums, but in libraries, schools and community centres in small and regional towns across Australia,” said Ms Driver.
A call for submissions for the 2016 Citizen Science project to run during National Science Week was announced by the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Christopher Pyne on 15 February.
The 2016 Citizen Science project will enable any Australian with a computer and internet connection to help scientists and researchers with interesting small tasks like processing hundreds of thousands of photos or observations, or completing surveys, that would otherwise take a research assistant many months, or even years.
Last year’s Citizen Science project, Galaxy Explorer, saw 27,000 Australians assist with the classification of 220,000 galaxies 3-4 billion light years away for the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research in Western Australia.
National Science Week will be held from 13–21 August 2016. More information about National Science Week activities across Australia can be found on the National Science Week website: www.scienceweek.net.au.
Media contact:
Department of Industry, Innovation and Science 02 6213 6308 or media@industry.gov.au
