As New South Wales’ contribution to
National Science Week, the CBD will be hosting the fourth
Ultimo Science Festival from the 21st to the 30th of August.
The website is at pains to point out that this event is “not just for geeks, scientists and students”- meaning that dweebs, poindexters, nerds, brainiacs, eggheads, goobers and other assorted teachers’ pets will also be in attendance. Thank goodness for that.
The
program contains an alluring mix of “day and night events, school sessions, family and kids events, pub events, talks and forums”, which will take place at five neighbouring locations. Most things are free and walk-in; some, however, can cost up to $35 and/or require bookings. As this
festival map illustrates, the venues- the
University of Technology Sydney, the
ABC Centre,
Ultimo Tafe, the
Powerhouse Museum and
Ultimo Library- are all in proximity to one another, and all close to
Central Station.
The festival begins with the
Big Night of Science, the function that contains live jazz, as well as contributions from 2005 Australian of the Year
Fiona Wood, physicist
Jon Lomberg, psychologist Bart Anderson and astronomer John Hawthorn. Other USF highlights include a feature on
inventions, a scientific look at
cosmetics, a scientific look at
cocktails, a display on
energy efficient homes, a visual
examination of the heavens, a lecture on
climate change, a
lifestyle expo, a
wildlife display and
biological laboratory tours. And the parents will be pleased to learn that there is no shortage of
kids’ events either.
Easily accessible, and with a diverse program that is mostly free, the Ultimo Science Festival promises to be one of Sydney’s leading events for 2009.
