Every year, for the past 15 years, Australia has
celebrated science. This year National Science Week occurs from 11-19 August 2012.
One event, to be held in Sydney is a collaboration
between Macquarie University, the Australian Museum, the Redfern Community
Centre, and First Nations communities from all over Australia. Deputy Head of the
Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences at Macquarie University,
A/Professor Joanne Jamie, reported that the Indigenous Science Experience will
provide an opportunity to learn from the Elders.
The Indigenous Science Education Program (ISEP)
team will present a series of workshops, hands-on science activities, and
seminars at the Australian Museum during National Science Week for school
students, educators, scientists, and the general public.
On 10-11 August at the Australian Museum and on 12
August at the Redfern Centre, the ISEP highlights the interface between
indigenous knowledge and culture and scientific research, digital media, and
land management. The First Nations communities have a wealth of land
management knowledge regarding plants and animals for tools, food, and
medicine. These talks, seminars, and workshops will be presented by Elders,
youth, and community members from communities across Australia
involved in cooperative research, cultural transmission, and land management.
First Nations youth will also present practical
workshops on astronomy in which the public can make a star wheel,
and technology in which the public can construct a stone axe. First Nations youth
will also be conducting hands-on science shows to explore chemistry of common
household items (where the public can make slime and disappearing ink). There
will also be a session on the microscopic world and the beauty of insects,
where the public will be able to handle insects, such as the enormous stick
insects.
For further information and bookings please contact David Harrington (phone 0434 916 778), or Joanne
Packer (phone 02 9850 8309) of the Indigenous Science Education
Program.
For other events during the National Science Week from
11-19 August see the Science Week website (http://www.scienceweek.net.au/).
MARTINA NICOLLS
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MARTINA NICOLLS is an international human rights-based consultant in education, healing and wellbeing, peace and stabilization, foreign aid audits and evaluations, and the author of: The Paris Residences of James Joyce (2020), Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom (2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).
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