This National Science Week, students around Australia will take part in a workshop hosted by Their Excellencies, the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor‑General of the Commonwealth of Australia and Mrs Linda Hurley, as part of an annual partnership with Questacon to deliver the Governor‑General’s Design Challenge.
On 19 August, schools will tune into a live one-hour virtual workshop exploring how light interacts with glass, hosted by Their Excellencies and presenters from the Questacon Science Circus. Students will be challenged to investigate the properties of glass, including building a ‘liquid lens’ using simple materials they can find at home.
‘During National Science Week people of all ages and in all parts of Australia will be amazed, entertained and inspired. Curiosity and passions will be sparked and our collective appreciation for the importance of science will be reinforced. Linda and I are delighted to be involved and to partner with the team at Questacon – who make sure that every week of the year is science week,’ the Governor‑General said.
‘Wherever you are, I encourage you to check out National Science Week events and get involved. We’re looking forward to the Design Challenge, to engaging virtually with students around Australia and, I have no doubt, learning lots ourselves from the impressive Questacon Science Circus presenters.’
‘Glass can have some pretty weird effects on light – from making rainbows out of sunbeams, to flipping your vision upside down! We can’t wait to see the students’ ideas as they discover a whole new world through their very own liquid lens,’ Questacon Science Circus presenter Jaclyn says.
Returning in 2022, the Governor‑General’s Design Challenge, delivered in partnership with Questacon – the National Science and Technology Centre, provides students with an opportunity to use design thinking in a hands-on and highly interactive way to encourage deeper learning about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
National Science Week is an opportunity for everyone to talk science, see science and do science. Established in 1997, National Science Week aims to encourage an interest in science pursuits among the general public, and to encourage younger people to be fascinated by the world we live in. The 2022 Governor-General’s Design Challenge aligns with this year’s National Science Week school theme, Glass: More than meets the eye, based on the UN International Year of Glass.
Schools interested in taking part in the Governor-General’s Design Challenge can register now.
National Science Week runs from 13 to 21 August 2022, events in your area can be found at the National Science Week website.
Media contact: Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre 0468 516 411 or communications@questacon.edu.au
