Who says scientists don’t have a sense of humour?
With all the bad news happening around the world, you may want a National Science Week event that gives you good vibes, great times, or belly laughs. Here is our selection of events to put a smile on your face.
Step inside a giant inflatable Poo Palace: Sunday 17 August in Newcastle, NSW
Experience the journey that food goes on, and ask the experts about digestion, farts and faeces, gut health and good bacteria.
The Poo Palace is a giant inflatable re-creation of the digestive system where children take a sensory adventure through the gastrointestinal tract, from lips to lavatory.
It is made up of 4 modules that mimic the journey food takes along the digestive tract (mouth, stomach, small intestine, large intestine).
Children learn firsthand how food moves through the body, and through live experiments with researchers from the Hunter Medical Research Institute.
Is laughter the best medicine? Expert panel discussion: Wednesday 20 August in Hobart
In times of growing social isolation and health challenges, could laughter offer unexpected health benefits? Ask neuroscientists, industry experts, researchers and the ‘grandfather of Tasmanian comedy’ how humour might support well-being and strengthen connections.
Goats, Goats, Goats – An audio escape room: online Wednesday 6 August – Sunday 17 August
Do you love goats, tabletop roleplay and escape room puzzles? Combine them all by solving the mystery behind chromosomes, Punnett squares and why goats have beards in an audio escape room.
Listen along to Escape This Podcast’s ‘Goats, Goats, Goats’ challenge or download the script and play Puzzle Master at home.
Planetarium ‘pop-rock-funk’ concert helps audiences second guess pseudoscience and conspiracy theories: Saturday 16 August in Brisbane
Award-winning songwriter and science communicator Nate Eggins (aka Conspiracy of One) brings his quirky, cosmic grooves back to Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.
Nate explores scientific and psychological concepts through pop-rock-funk songs like ‘We’re All Aliens, Baby’ and ‘The Sound a Duck Makes’. Concert goers will enjoy a free ‘homeopathic cocktail’ against the starry backdrop of the Skydome. With expert guest speakers.
Science Gallery Melbourne: Artists find meaning in digital distraction: in Parkville throughout National Science Week and beyond
See how Japanese cats respond to videos of their own image on ‘Cat Island’.
Outsmart AI in ‘Deviation Game’, drawing things that only humans understand.
Join a comedic televised set, ‘Pledge Drive for Attention’.
University of Melbourne’s Science Gallery explores how we can ‘harness the cacophony of digital content and find meaning within it’ through interactive games, play and technology in its free ‘DISTRACTION’ exhibition.
Sci Fight Comedy Debate: Psychology is a Freud – Tuesday 12 August in Brunswick, VIC
Is psychology a science, art, pseudoscience or potato? Or an ink blot of your parents fighting?
Sci Fight Science Comedy Debate brings together scientists and comedians ‘to debate serious issues in a ridiculous manner’ on the topic: Psychology is a Freud.
The showdown, hosted by Sci Fight co-founder/comedian/science communicator Atlanta Colley, features comedians Jude Perl and Martin Dunlop; magician and doctor Vyom Sharma; psychologist Kathryn Kallady; neuroscientist Elyas Arvell; and writer/editor Elizabeth Flux.
To date, Sci Fight has trampled on the nuanced disciplines of physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, and technology with topics including ‘Love is a chemical’, ‘Seeing is believing’, ‘We should bring back the dinosaurs’ and ‘Humans are worth saving’. Recordings, previous gigs and images are available at www.scifight.com.au.
More feel good and laugh-out-loud events
An Evening of Chemistry, Curiosity and Comedy: Friday 15 August in Barossa Valley, SA- Future Science Talks: Comedy Edition: Thursday 14 August in Melbourne
- Science After Dark, the Science Comedy Debate – Technology vs Biology: Thursday 14 August in Sydney
- Dr Karl Live In Devonport: Friday 15 August
- Dr Karl Live at City Hall: Sunday 17 August in Hobart
