Crushed lollies change from a solid to a liquid and back to a solid to create beautiful decorations. This cooking activity uses a technique of glassmaking called fusing. Materials change during the activity. The dough starts soft and can be pulled, pushed, rolled and bent into shapes. After baking, the dough is hard and cannot be…
Topic: Chemistry and Materials
Make a Light Bulb
Though LED light bulbs are common now, the incandescent light bulb was such a useful invention it has come to symbolise innovation itself. It’s even on the National Science Week logo! Much attention is paid to the material used in the light bulb filament. Edison famously tried hundreds before having success with carbonised bamboo. Tungsten filaments have been in use in light…
Glass Blowing with Bunsen Burners
Glass is made up of silica, which is a high-quality type of sand. Other materials, such as metals and metal oxides, are added to silica to lower the melting point of the mixture. Glassblowers mix these ingredients to make a batch of glass, which they will melt in a furnace in their workshop. The batch…
The Invisible Revealed Symposium
How has nuclear science helped the Powerhouse examine its collection objects? Hear from scientists as they unveil techniques in this panel discussion. The exhibition is an outcome of a partnership between Powerhouse and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) that has examined collection objects from a materials research perspective using nuclear and accelerator-based…
The Glass We Use
Isabella Plains Early Childhood School educators will run multi age whole school rotations with the support of the Year 2 Leaders. The Year 2 Leaders will provide guidance and social/emotional support for the younger children in the groups and also support the educator with the lesson. The students will rotate through 4 of 5 different…
Science @ Central (Armidale NSW)
UNE Discovery will conduct arrange of play-based science activities at Armidale Central Shopping Centre in a pop-up style stall from 17 – 20 August. The team will be conducting demonstrations and guided play along the theme of Glass: More than meets the eye. Come and look each day at the world a little differently through…
Live from the Lab: In Conversation
Join us on Wednesday 17 August for a captivating evening, where researchers and musicians involved in Live from the Lab (LFTL), reveal the personal stories behind the science, breakdown the wonders and complexity and draw out the connections and emotions captured in the new musical compositions. Hosted by Associate Professor Alice Motion. Live from the…
Stained Glass Baking
Have you seen Claremont Library’s historic stained glass windows? During National Science Week, have a go at baking your own stained glass with gingerbread and lollies. Note: this activity requires handling of food, and is not suitable for anyone with wheat or egg allergies. Smaller children may require parental assistance to complete the activity. While…
Glass is Everywhere
Glass will be the focus of National Science Week at Wellington Community Children’s Centre this year. We will examine the large array of glass items and have a hands on display. The educators at our preschool will run experiments each day, explaining the wonder of science.
Glass in Food Science Webinar
Glass and food is more than meets the eye – learn more about why glass is important in food science. It’s more than just packaging – glass is involved in food production and can even alter our perceptions with food. Learn more about glass and food science with Dr Emma Beckett.