In summary

  • National Science Week is being held from 13-21 August this year
  • Events being held at Swinburne include free talks about the science in some of the best (and worst!) films ever made, forgotten female scientists, what secrets the JSWT has unlocked about the universe and a women in STEMM panel and workshop
  • Everyone is welcome to attend and learn from and engage with our esteemed scientists

Swinburne is celebrating National Science Week from 13-21 August.

National Science Week is Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology and provides Swinburne with an opportunity to acknowledge and share the outstanding contributions of our scientists with the community.

Swinburne’s commitment to knowledge is driven by our research and focus on making a real-world impact, transforming our global and local communities. As a trusted and respected world-class leader in research excellence, we are determined to make a real difference to the communities we serve.

Events such as talks discussing the science in some of the best (and worst!) films ever made, the history of forgotten female scientists, a women in STEM networking evening and a free public astronomy lecture that seeks to unlock secrets with the James Webb Space Telescope are not to be missed!

See below for further details about these events:

Scientists Assemble – The science of superheroes from screen to laboratory

When: Monday 15 August 7.00pm to 8.00pm

Where: ATC101 Lecture Theatre (Ground Floor) 427-451 Burwood Road, Hawthorn

Science of science fiction matters; more people will be exposed to physics and science concepts in movies than in classrooms, so it’s important that Hollywood gets it right. As we’ll see, science accuracy doesn’t take the fun out of the movie, and in fact, the best movies in terms of physics are often the best in terms of quality of film more generally. It’s also a great way to learn physics by seeing what works well and how certain films get it so bad.

Join Swinburne's Professor Alan Duffy, Astrophysicist, who will take you on a journey, discussing the science in some of the best (and worst!) films ever made.

Register here.

Lunch and Learn: Hydrogen 101

When: Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 August 12.30pm to 1.30pm

Where: Innovation Precinct, Level 4, 66-68 William Street (enter via McLeod Lane), Hawthorn

Bring your lunch and join us during National Science Week for an hour of engaging learning – snacks included!

Hydrogen is a promising solution to tackle climate change and it will also create new and exciting jobs across a range of sectors! But what is hydrogen? How is it applied in daily life? Why is it important? And, most importantly, how does it impact your future? Find out the answers to all these questions and more at the Victorian Hydrogen Hub’s Lunch and Learn: Hydrogen 101 session.

Register here.

The Matilda Effect - The History of Forgotten Women Scientists

When: Tuesday 16 August 4.00pm to 5.00pm

Where: Online

From the COVID vaccine to nuclear fission to pulsars to computer programming, women are at the source of many scientific discoveries, inventions and innovations that shape our lives. But in the stories we’ve come to accept about these breakthroughs, women are too often left out.

In this talk we’ll learn about the women behind some incredible scientific discoveries, inventions and innovations.

Register here.

The women in STEMM Infographic competition – online panel discussion and workshop

When: Thursday 18 August 4.30pm

Where: Online

All are welcome to attend the online Women in STEMM panel discussion and the first workshop in the STEM Infographic competition. Please register for this online event or contact bzaferanloo@swin.edu.au

The panel discussion will be hosted By Dr Bita Zaferanloo, lead of Shaping STEM Futures at Swinburne. It will include a presentation by Dr Ruwangi Fernando and a Women in STEM Networking panel delivered via collaboration with the Women in STEM club.

The following topics will be addressed:

  • Technology - What does the changing role of technology mean for women in STEM?
  • Women in STEM 2050 - what does the ideal future look like?
  • Contribution to sustainability - What will be the role of Women in STEM?
  • Women as STEM leaders - What unique qualities do women bring to STEM leadership?

By taking part in the competition (STEM Infographic), participants will form multidisciplinary teams to produce an infographic solution to a sustainability problem to increase community knowledge, encourage women into STEM careers and make the world a safer place.

Find out more here.

Free public astronomy lecture – Unlocking the Universe’s secrets with JWST

When: Friday 19 August 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Where: ATC101 Lecture Theatre (Ground Floor) 427-451 Burwood Road, Hawthorn

FREE astronomy public lecture The State of the Universe - Unlocking the Universe’s secrets with JWST  for National Science Week.

  • The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is NASA’s successor to the Hubble Space Telescope. It was successfully launched on 25 December 2021 and its first images, released on 12 July, have rocked the Universe! 
  • Find out which secrets of the Universe the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will unlock in this free public lecture by Professor Karl Glazebrook, Dr Themiya Nanayakkara, Dr Colin Jacobs from the Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing at Swinburne and Dr Nicha Leethochawalit from University of Melbourne will share her work on redshifted galaxies (z>10).

Free event. No bookings required.

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