Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre launched their popular Science Circus outreach model of science communication in Western Japan last Friday. Questacon’s tour of Japan during October and November celebrates Questacon and Japan’s 30 year relationship and coincides with the 25th anniversary year of the Canberra-Nara City Sister City relationship.
The 2018 Science Circus Tour Japan brings 30 interactive science exhibits to four communities in Western Japan over five weeks. The tour is delivered in collaboration with the Osaka Science Museum; the Australian National Centre for the Centre for the Public Awareness of Science at the Australian National University; the Japanese Science Museum Association; Nagoya City Science Museum; Nara Municipal Government; Nara University High School; Kochi MIRAI Science Centre; Morioka Children’s Museum of Science; and, Misawa Aviation and Science Museum.
Free public exhibitions will be held at the Osaka Science Museum, Nara University High School, Nara City Hall, Nagoya City Science Museum and Kochi Mirai Science Center. The tour is an exchange of science communication skills and capacity building, with presenters from Questacon, the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science of The Australian National University and Osaka Science Museum will partner with Japanese science museums and schools to deliver engaging science shows at local schools and run free public exhibitions for families.
Questacon Director Professor Graham Durant said, “The 2018 Questacon Science Circus tour of Japan is an expression of friendship and gratitude for Japan’s contribution to Questacon’s establishment 30 years ago as the National Science and Technology Centre in 1988.”
“By taking our portable science exhibits to these communities, we are helping to build the capacity of local science museums. Australian and Japanese science communicators will be delivering shows to schools and families in each community the tour visits. This Australia-Japan cultural exchange helps to promote the value of science communication to audiences in Japan,” said Professor Durant.
The tour is modelled on Questacon’s flagship outreach program, the Shell Questacon Science Circus, which has toured regional and remote Australia for the past 33 years. The tour builds on relationships between Australia and Japan through the sharing of science communication skills, demonstrations and knowledge and follows on from the 2014 Science Circus Tour Japan to the tsunami-affected areas of northern mainland Japan.
The tour is supported by the Australian Government as part of the Australia Now program, through the Australia–Japan Foundation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and is proudly supported by the ACT Government.
“This tour builds on our great relationship with the Japanese people in Questacon’s 30th anniversary year” says Craig Whelan, Senior Manager Strategic Engagement, “We are looking forward to working with our Japanese counterparts, learning from each other and growing a legacy of science communication capacity building in West Japan.”
Questacon is also celebrating the 25th anniversary year of the Canberra-Nara City Sister City relationship by delivering science demonstrations and a Fairy Floss stall during the Nara Festival in Nara Park on Saturday 29 October.
Media contact: Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre 02 6270 2917 or communications@questacon.edu.au
