Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre today announced they will take their popular Science Circus outreach program to Japan in October this year as part of their 30th anniversary celebrations.
The five-week tour will take 30 interactive science exhibits to four communities in Western Japan after an official launch in Osaka on 12 October.
The tour will visit Osaka Science Museum, Nara University High School, Nara City Hall, Nagoya City Science Museum and Kochi Mirai Science Center. Presenters from Questacon, the Centre for the Public Awareness of Science of The Australian National University 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 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. We’ll be working with local science communicators and science centre professionals in each location, providing mutual exchange of expertise,” said Professor Durant.
The tour is modelled on Questacon’s flagship outreach programme, the Shell Questacon Science Circus, which has toured regional and remote Australia for the past 32 years. The exhibits will loan from 2014 tour venues and Osaka Science Museum.
The tour will build 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 Japan.
The 2018 Science Circus Tour Japan is in collaboration with the Osaka Science Museum, the Centre for Public Awareness of Science at the Australian National University and the Australia–Japan Foundation and coincides with Japan being the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trades’ focus country under the Australia now program, promoting Australian innovation, lifestyle and creativity in Japan.
“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 leaving a legacy of science communication capacity building.”
Volunteers from Osaka Science Museum, a key partner in the tour, will be visiting Questacon until 4 May to exchange science shows and workshops. Goodwill Ambassador from Osaka Science Museum, Dr Akiko Yoshioka, will be performing science shows for the public in the Questacon’s Japan Theatre throughout the week.
Media contact: Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre 02 6270 2917 or communications@questacon.edu.au
