Special Events
Visiting us? In addition to our Exhibitions & Shows, we've got a bunch of cool stuff going on. Unless otherwise specified, all of these events and programs are free with your paid Questacon admission.
Questacon celebrates the Centenary of Canberra
Questacon is proud to be part of the Centenary of Canberra celebrations, with a range of special events on offer throughout the year. These activities will highlight the important role of science in the capital and beyond.
Throughout Canberra’s Centenary year, Questacon will feature a program of lectures, talks and guest appearances by 100 scientists who call, or have called, Canberra home. The 100°C—Stories of 100 Canberra Scientists event series will allow visitors to hear first-hand about the life and work of Canberra scientists in a range of diverse fields. Be sure to check this page for new talks added regularly.
Science Time
Join us for Science Time, a fun and interactive learning experience for little scientists aged 3-6 and their carers.
May 2013
Torque—Revolving Ideas
Green it yourself: DIY with a twist
Lish Fejer, ABC TV's Carbon Cop and creator of DIY website www.greenityourself.com.au
Wednesday 15 May, 6pm
Questacon Technology Learning Centre
60 Denison St, Deakin
(next to the Royal Australian Mint Building)
Energy efficiency works. It doesn’t require high-tech gadgetry or doubtful debates about climate change. All you need is an understanding of some basics (how air moves, the nature of hot and cold and the power of sunshine), a few bits and pieces (a caulking gun, a broccoli box and some bubble wrap) and some get-up-and-go to give it a go.
Join Lish Fejer (ABC TV’s Carbon Cop and creator of DIY website www.greenityourself.com.au) for a workshop about basic principles of energy efficiency that will equip you to tinker with your own home and lifestyle to make it an exemplar of energy efficiency.
In this Torque, Lish will get aggressive about the benefits of solar passive, have a look at some of the latest innovations in energy efficiency and offer up lots of smart and simple ideas and solutions that you can do in a flash, whether you’re a renter or home owner, a DIY novice or energy ‘efficionado’.
To RSVP to this event, email your name to qtlc.info@questacon.edu.au
Suitable for secondary school age and above.
Free event.
What's in a face?
Sylvia Cockburn, National Portrait Gallery
Wednesday 29 May, 6pm
Questacon Technology Learning Centre
60 Denison St, Deakin
(next to the Royal Australian Mint Building)
The ability to recognise faces, their characteristics, their emotions and intent is one of the most important aspects of human social interaction. Our understanding of how humans read and process the information stored in faces draws on many different areas of science including evolution, psychology and neuroscience. Join Sylvia Cockburn from the National Portrait Gallery to learn about why facial recognition is important from an evolutionary and social perspective, and examine whether the science of facial processing can help us better understand the art of portraiture.
To RSVP to this event, email your name to qtlc.info@questacon.edu.au
Suitable for secondary school age and above.
Free event.
June 2013
85th Anniversary of trans-Pacific flight
A joint program of activities between Questacon and the National Library of Australia
Saturday 1 June
On 31 May 1928 Charles Kingsford Smith and colleagues departed California in the Southern Cross with the aim of crossing the Pacific Ocean. They landed in Australia on the 9th of June having travelled 11,566 km.
In acknowledgement of the day Questacon will be offering flight themed Spectacular Science Shows.
- Balloonatic – 11am and 1pm
- Science on a Plane – 12pm and 2pm
At 2:45pm members of the Canberra Aero Club will do a fly-over of the Parliamentary Triangle.
At 3:00pm the National Library of Australia presents the dance performance InFlightQuestacon Spectacular Science Shows suitable for family audiences.
Questacon Spectacular Science Shows are free. Entry to galleries at normal prices.
Cutting Edge Science@Questacon
8 June
Explore the world of lasers, solar panels, GPS technology, plant research and much more during this special Centenary of Canberra event. Special activities and presentations will be held throughout the day, featuring local experts and hands-on activities.
Suitable for all ages.
Admission fees apply.
