Media Release
August 19, 2004
UniSA presents spacey science by the lake
Kids from Gumeracha and Nuriootpa, from Smithfield Plains and Banksia Park and a host of places in between will gather in their hundreds at UniSA’s Mawson Lakes campus this Friday (August 20) and it’s all about getting “spacey”.
Planned as part of National Science Week, UniSA’s Science at the Lakes program will bring more than 500 students, from grade six through to year 10, on campus to take part in more than 30 interactive science and technology sessions.
One of key themes for the day is space and it will give students the chance to consider everything from the planets and the solar system, right down to how space impacts on the daily life of the humble Bettong.
Coordinator of the Science at the Lakes, Gary Brook, said the Friday Science Week program for schools would be matched by a Sunday program (August 22) open to all families who wanted to learn a little more about science.
“One of the most fascinating aspects of science is the sometimes unusual connections between one thing and another,” Brook said.
“It’s a little less complex than the Chaos Theory but there are amazing relationships between things like the movement of the sun and animal behaviours, or how putting satellites into orbit can give us weather information that helps farmers plan harvesting and planting,” Brook said.
“What will be great for the students visiting UniSA and the education precinct at Mawson Lakes this Science Week, is that they will get to explore those connections.
“They will have the chance to see the tracking centre for Fedsat, Australia’s very own satellite, they will have a special presentation at the planetarium and then learn how the sun’s energy is powering cars and researchers are developing sustainable energy products for the future. They will also learn how the recent exploration of Mars is teaching us about the evolution of our own planet and what bugs and slugs can teach us about adaptation to new environments.”
Brook said the theme for the Sunday program was health, fitness and sustainable environments.
“Sunday’s program will give families the opportunity to explore the UniSA Campus, Endeavour College and the Mawson Lakes Town Centre as they take part in the different sessions from kite flying through to designing and building their own robot,” he said.
“It is a special opportunity for people to understand more about the fabulous research happening at UniSA and to see how that is being applied in our everyday lives. It is also a great day out for families with no entry fees and lots to explore.”
Science at the Lakes on Sunday runs from noon until 4 pm and details of all session times are available on the web at http://www.unisa.edu.au/scienceatthelakes/Sunday.asp.
The Science at the Lakes program for schools is online at http://www.unisa.edu.au/scienceatthelakes/Friday.asp
More information
- Gary Brook office (08) 83023142 mobile 0407 250090 email gary.brook@unisa.edu.au
Media contact
- Michèle Nardelli office (08) 8302 0966 mobile 0418 823 673 email michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au