One of Australia’s best-loved science experiences is heading to the Mid North Coast this month, with Questacon’s free pop-up science centre tour visiting five communities from Thursday, 19 June.
The Questacon Science Circus will set up across Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Forster, Taree and Coffs Harbour between 18 and 28 June, bringing more than 30 hands-on exhibits and live science shows to families of all ages.
Cat Nielsen, National Touring Programs Team Leader at Questacon, said most visitors spend one to two hours exploring the exhibits, which cover a wide range of science topics. Highlights include rotating platforms that demonstrate inertia, reflex testing stations, microscopes and a fossil rubbing station.
Live shows are a big part of the experience, with demonstrations using liquid nitrogen, the science behind magic, and a popular DIY session among those on offer.
“One of my favourites is our DIY science show where we’ll show you how to turn your vacuum cleaner into a marshmallow cannon,” said Ms Nielsen.
She said the shows were designed to be safe and accessible, with the aim of sparking curiosity that lasts beyond the event. “Everything we do is very safe. It’s just fun and exciting and hoping to get people to start having conversations at home around how science interacts with their daily lives,” said Ms Nielsen.
The Mid North Coast visit is the second leg of a broader regional push, with the Science Circus team having already visited local schools three to four weeks ago. This time bringing the full exhibit fit-out directly to the whole community.
Ms Nielsen said reaching regional areas was central to what the touring program aimed to achieve. “Everyone deserves the opportunity to see themselves interacting with STEM and see that they can and are welcome to interact with STEM,” she said. “Taking these sorts of exhibits out into towns and communities gives people that opportunity to relate to science and say, hey, I can do this.”
The message is aimed at adults just as much as children. “We want the adults as well to be like, this was fun, science is fun, it’s engaging, it is for everyone. And that is the key thing -it’s for everyone,” said Ms Nielsen.
Entry is completely free, but bookings are essential via the Questacon website to manage visitor flow. Tickets are timed but there is no limit on how long guests can stay once inside.
Ms Nielsen’s advice for families? “Just be willing to try everything. Play with everything. Get involved with all of the opportunities. There’s a lot to do. It’ll be a lot of fun and ask questions. Be curious,” she said.
The Forster session has already sold out, and Ms Nielsen said other venues were filling fast. “Get on it real quick,” she said.
For more information and bookings, visit the Questacon website.
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