The Australian Museum Science Festival 2015

Each year the Australian Museum celebrates National Science Week with the Australian Museum Science Festival (AMSF).

Each year the Australian Museum celebrates National Science Week with one of the biggest events in our calendar, the Australian Museum Science Festival (AMSF). This year we saw over 6,000 primary and high students come to the Museum to meet with scientists, conduct experiments and explore the science that influences their daily lives. Poppy, a student from Crestwood Public School, described the Festival as ‘…the best excursion I’ve ever been on’.

By bringing together scientists, science communicators and representatives of leading science and technology organisations the AMSF is a unique opportunity to be immersed in all aspects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Festival coordinator Geoff Gardner says ‘It’s great to see our presenters engaging with budding young scientists and inspiring the next generation of leaders and explorers’.

Highlights of this years’ AMSF included the world premiere of ‘The Brain Show’ from National Geographic Channel. Students were able to try on an Oculus Rift headset and step inside a virtual world under their complete control. By monitoring their brainwaves the Brain Show tested users’ mental control as they morphed and moved the virtual environment around them.

For the first time the AMSF dedicated an entire day to kids under 7. This new event drew upon the expertise of museum educators and visitor services staff to instil a passion for science and exploration from an early age. With craft activities, hands-on experiments, live shows and visits from Winny the Muttaburrasaurus, the AMSF Under 7’s day was a huge success and expanded the overall festival audience.

The fun wasn’t only for kids as the Festival also included a Saturday event open to the public. With live animal shows, face-painting, hands-on experiments and lectures, the public event catered for all ages. By showcasing the science behind the museum the AMSF highlighted how the museum is more than just a gallery, it is a hub for research, exploration and discovery. Australian Museum Research Institute scientists, including Dr Greta Frankham (Australian Centre for Wildlife Genomics) and Helen Smith (Arachnology), presented public lectures during the festival sharing some of the research that goes on behind the scenes at the museum.

This annual event continues to grow in size and scope each year. Plans are already underway for next year’s National Science Week celebrations and are set to be bigger and better than ever. To find out more about the festival watch ‘The Australian Museum Science Festival’ with ‘ABC Splash’.

We would like to thank our festival sponsors and partners that make this possible - 3M, ANSTO, Macquarie University, National Science Week and Inspiring Australia. Their amazing support and dedication to the promotion of science literacy has helped us share the wonders of science across NSW communities.