Wagga Wagga City Library will once again coordinate the Riverina Science Festival in August 2018 thanks to a funding boost of $18,492 from the Federal Government.
Get your lab coats ready – this year’s festival is set to feature a robot zoo, kitchen chemistry and more.
Wagga Wagga City Council’s Director Community, Janice Summerhayes, said, “The Riverina Science Festival is growing each year and with this funding the 2018 event is set to be another success.
“Last year’s funding helped bring the popular pop-up planetarium to Wagga Wagga and this year we have developed another inspiring and diverse program.”
Member for Riverina Michael McCormack said the $18,492 investment from the Federal Government to Wagga Wagga City Council was one of 45 organisations across the nation to receive more than $600,000 though the 2018 National Science Week Grants.
“The Riverina Science Festival 2018 will combine modern science with ancient Indigenous practices to entertain and educate the young and young at heart,” Mr McCormack said.
“Well done to Wagga Wagga City Council and to the library for embracing National Science Week to give developing minds an outlet to quench their thirst for knowledge.”
Many popular activities will return in 2018, including Kitchen Science for pre-schoolers and the microscope program CLOSER.
The National Indigenous Science Education community program (NISEP) will again feature in the festival program after a successful first year in 2017. Facilitated by Riverina Science Hub partners – including Charles Sturt University, NISEP High Schools and local Indigenous Elders – it will share both modern chemistry and ancient Indigenous science and technology.
New to this year’s festival is the Robot Zoo and a Citizen Science Biodiversity Blitz.
Wagga Wagga City Library Manager, Claire Campbell, said, “The Robot Zoo will feature robotics, drones, 3D printing, presentations, films and even a robot petting zoo.
“The Citizen Science Biodiversity Blitz will give the community the opportunity to explore and identify the wildlife of the Marrambidya Wetland.
“There will be something for everyone, from the budding scientists to the just plain curious.”
