Hi Bright Sparks!
Below is the event list for July and August. We don't have a large number of events in August and there's
a reason for this - National Science Week! See further details below. There are occasional events in this
current list that are also open to non-members, so spread the word amongst your friends.
National Science Week
National Science Week will be officially celebrated from 13 - 21 August, although events run for almost a
full month in SA. Keep checking the national web site for details: www.scienceweek.net.au
There will be behind-the-scenes tours, hands-on workshops, field trips, speakers, science shows and
festivals, and so much more in Australia’s annual celebration of science. Join in the excitement!
Science Alive!
Science Alive! is one of the largest stand-alone science events in the country. It will be held at the
Adelaide Showground on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 August for the general public, with a special Careers
Day on Friday 5 for high school students. This huge science expo offers hands-on fun for all ages, with
star domes, robotics, native animals, chemistry shows, Daleks, and even a massive walk-through body!
Look out for the Bright Sparks Science Club display at the University of Adelaide stand.
University of Adelaide Open Day - Sunday 14 August, 9am to 4pm
Open Day is your chance to visit the beautiful North Terrace Campus, to learn what the university is all
about and to have all your questions answered. Enjoy a day of discovery, exploring the many displays
and activities, listen to talks and music performances and have a delicious bite to eat from the many
cafes and food trucks on campus. There is so much to discover at the University of Adelaide ... and the
Bright Sparks Science Club will be there as well!
Palaeontology Conference
Palaeo Down Under 2 is an international conference being held in Adelaide from 11 - 15 July.
As this falls during the first week of the July school holidays, it is an ideal opportunity for club members
and their families to attend any of the keynote sessions held each morning. These are open to the
general public and the calibre of the guests is stunning - all world leaders in their specialist
palaeontology genre. One talk that might be of particular interest to club members is the acclaimed Dr
Scott Hocknull speaking on "From Dig to Digital Dinosaurs". Bookings are required and the cost is $10
per person per session.
For the full program of speakers and booking details go to: www.pdu2.org
Facebook
Don't forget to check out our club's Facebook page. Make sure you "like" us - and spread the word!
Bright Sparks Science Club Events: July - August 2016
Bookings are essential for these events.
Book via www.sciences.adelaide.edu.au/bright-sparks/ (preferred)
or email [email protected] or call Rona on 0419 827 723
No
Date
Event
1
Sunday
3/7/16
Bright Sparks Hover Plate
Construct your own model hovercraft from a
recycled milk carton and plastic plate.
With the use of soldering irons and hot glue
guns, you will learn about electronic circuits and
mechanical assembly.
Time
2 hour
sessions at:
11.00am
and
2.00pm
Once you have completed your little hovercraft,
the games can begin!
Address
University of Adelaide,
North Tce Campus,
Braggs Building
Meet at Gate 9 on
Victoria Drive, opposite
the Uni Footbridge, 15
minutes before the start.
Who
Members
Cost
$25 child
(best suited
for ages 8
& over)
Everyone, including
adults, must wear
enclosed shoes.
If you would like to follow the maths and physics
for the Hover Plate, there will be a document
available. There will also be some home-made
test equipment on the day to demonstrate the
principles behind the Hover Plate.
The presenters will be electronic specialists who
have previously run sessions for our club with
such projects as the amazing Scurrying Insect,
Franklin Bells and Tilt Torch.
Each child will need a rinsed, cardboard milk
carton - either one litre (70mm x 70mm x
200mm) or 500ml (70mm x 70mm x 100mm).
Not long-life milk cartons.
2
Saturday
9/7/16
This will get your brain working!
90 minute
presentations
at:
University of Adelaide,
North Tce Campus,
Braggs Building
You will use tools like the Snake Cube and other
brainteasers to develop spatial intelligence and
design concepts.
9.30am
Meet at Gate 9 on
Victoria Drive, opposite
the Uni Footbridge, 15
minutes before the start.
Fun with Brain Games
Using board games and puzzles from across the
globe, you will learn vital life skills such as
concentration, logic and strategy, and high self
esteem.
This brain-training program is presented by
Abhinav Verma, founder of Rack the Brain, an
organisation driven by passion for creating an
environment of innovation, creativity and higher
thinking skills. He is also the author of "The
Ultimate Brain Trainer".
Take home a Square-to-Triangle Puzzle to cut
out and solve at home.
(for ages 7 to
10)
&
11.30am
(for ages 11
to 15)
Everyone, including
adults, must wear
enclosed shoes.
Members
$20 per child
3
Tuesday
12/7/16
Marine Discovery Centre
The Marine Discovery Centre encourages an
appreciation and understanding of marine life
with a view to promoting conservation and
sustainable use.
The special science learning centre includes
models, activities, trails and experiments that are
innovative, interactive and exciting.
90 minute
sessions at:
9.30am
Marine Discovery
Centre, 333 Military Rd,
Henley Beach
Members &
Parents
1.30pm
Situated on the corner of
Marlborough St &
Seaview Road - within
the grounds of Star of
the Sea School
90 minute
sessions at:
Statewide Recycling, 16
Duncan Ct, Ottoway
Members &
Parents
Nature Education
Centre, 505 Fullarton
Rd, Netherby
Members
11.30am
$12 child
$12 adult
You will also observe and learn about marine
creatures in their environment in the large
aquariums, as well as undertaking special
microscope activities.
Some of the amazing marine creatures you will
meet include crabs, sea stars, Port Jackson
sharks, sea urchins, anemones, sea horses,
elephant snails, octopus, sea cucumbers and
much more.
These will be special educational sessions for
our club, with adults also participating.
4
Wednesday
13/7/16
Statewide Recycling Centre
Statewide Recycling is a "Super Collector" of 10c
deposit drink containers from recycling depots
throughout South Australia.
The Statewide Recycling Education Centre is a
fantastic showcase of reused and recycled
products.
$15 per child
$5 per adult
10.00am
&
Noon
Led by a KESAB Education Officer, we'll learn
about the benefits of SA's drink container deposit
legislation, manufacturing and recycling
processes, and more.
The Education Centre includes a variety of
activities, from the Natural Resources jigsaw
puzzle to sorting drink containers on the moving
conveyor belt.
There is also an Eco Shop that showcases
products that, while not for sale, will give you lots
of ideas for sustainable purchasing.
5
Friday
15/7/16
Nature Education Centre
The Nature Education Centre encourages
children to study animals, plants and their
habitats by coming into direct contact with them.
You will handle a variety of animals that could
include reptiles, mammals, owls, snakes and
amphibians.
Learn about these animals, including their habits,
food and care.
As well as conducting educational sessions, this
Centre sells and lends equipment and natural
history specimens (including living specimens) to
its members. These include hopping mice,
hermit crabs, lizards, scorpions - and even
spiders! Find out more on the day.
60 minute
sessions at:
10.00am
11.30am
1.00pm
Situated on the grounds
of Urrbrae Agricultural
High School - enter via
Gate A
$10 per child
6
Saturday
16/7/16
Explosive Liquid Nitrogen Show!
& film:
Ice Age: Collision Course
We'll start off with a stunning science show. As
the presenter explains:
Mobile Science Education returns with a
particularly cool show! Probably around about
minus196 degrees Celsius to be exact. We will
discuss water, ice, frozen worlds and liquid
nitrogen. There may be a bang or two, but it will
be on purpose and with a fair amount of glee
from the presenter ...
Science
Show:
9.30am
Capri Theatre, 141
Goodwood Rd,
Goodwood
Members &
Families
Members:
$12 child
$12 adult
Interval:
10.00am
Also open
to nonmembers
Organ:
10.15am
Non members:
$15 child
Film:
10.30am
$15 adult
A short break will follow this entertaining and
educational science show.
Then the mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ will play for
15 minutes prior to the start of the film.
Ice Age: Collision Course - Scrat's epic pursuit
of the elusive acorn catapults him into the
universe where he accidentally sets off a series
of cosmic events that transform and threaten the
Ice Age World. To save themselves, Sid, Manny,
Diego, and the rest of the herd must leave their
home and embark on a quest full of comedy and
adventure, travelling to exotic new lands and
encountering a host of colourful new characters.
Rated: PG
Animated fun for the whole family.
7
Tuesday
19/7/16
Science Olympics
You'll have lots of fun and learning with awesome
hands-on experiments - with an Olympics twist!
&
Wednesday
20/7/16
&
Thursday
21/7/16
We have put together some very sciencey
Olympic experiments such as:
The Great Chemical Relay; The Frog Hurdle;
Eddie's Ski Jump; The Ball Clock and many other
challenging experiments.
You also get to take home your own Cartesian
Diver that you will make on the day.
Join us to celebrate the Olympics - by competing
in our science challenges, of course!
Tuesday - for ages 10 & under
Wednesday - for ages 10 & over
Thursday - for a mixture of ages
90 minute
sessions
each day at:
University of Adelaide,
North Tce Campus,
Braggs Building
Members
10.00am
Meet at Gate 9 on
Victoria Drive, opposite
the Uni Footbridge, 15
minutes before the start.
Also open
to nonmembers
12.30pm
3.00pm
Everyone, including
adults, must wear
enclosed shoes.
Members:
$15 child
Non members:
$20 child
8
Friday
22/7/16
Palaeontology:
90 minute
sessions at:
Scout Hall, 95 Fourth
Ave, Joslin
Members
$15 per child
90 minute
tour at
West Terrace Cemetery,
161 West Tce, City
Members &
families
$5 child
1.00pm
Enter through the main
gate at the intersection
of Sturt St & West
Terrace.
It's all Fossils and Bones
Carey Burke (Fossil Preparator) and Carmel
Foley (Honours Student) from the Flinders
University Palaeontology Lab will run these
workshops that each include:

Learning how fossils are formed and
designing and constructing your own
plaster fossil replica.

A session on South Australia's iconic
fossils, from the world's oldest animals
to creatures that may have been seen
by Australia's first people.

Under 10s
9.30am
All ages
11.30am
Over 10s
1.30pm
Hands-on session with a collection of
bones and fossils.
SA has arguably the best fossil records in
Australia, and an abundance of fossil fauna from
the time of the mega fauna.
An ideal event for budding palaeontologists.
9
Sunday
24/7/16
West Terrace Cemetery: the
Scientists, Physicians and
Naturalists
Guided tour around one of Australia's oldest
operating cemeteries, with over 150,000 burials,
and the winner of a number of Tourism Awards.
(under 15)
$10 adult
Turn left as you enter
and park to the side of
the roadway.
This special tour has been put together for our
club with a focus on famous scientists.
View the beautiful sculptors and learn about the
heritage significance of this historic cemetery.
We will delve into almost two centuries of real
South Australian stories as our knowledgeable
guides take us on an intriguing journey. They will
bring to life the many captivating and long
forgotten tales of some of SA and the nation's
most notable figures, including eminent scientists
and those in the medical field, as we explore
their inspirational achievements.
10
Friday
29/7/16
Space Archaeology
On this annual "Day of Archaeology" our very
special guest speaker is Dr Alice Gorman, an
internationally-recognised leader in the emerging
field of space archaeology.
Learn about all the space junk out there!
As a result of our satellites, spacecraft and
technology, there is now a sphere of space junk
surrounding our planet. Space exploration has
also left its mark on the rest of the solar system,
including moons, comets and asteroids.
Five intrepid deep space probes are now
spreading our human influence into the rest of
our galaxy.
Find out how we can investigate spacecraft and
planetary landing sites for physical traces of
human activities beyond planet Earth - just like
an archaeological dig!
A senior lecturer in Archaeology at Flinders
University, Dr Gorman's research on space
exploration has been featured in leading worldwide publications.
She is fascinated with space junk, and has a
blog, Dr Space Junk.
60 minute
presentation
at:
University of Adelaide,
North Tce Campus
Bragg Lecture Theatre
Members
and
families
7.00pm
Also open
to nonmembers
Free
11
Sunday
31/7/16
Nature's Life Cycles
Are you fascinated by nature and how it all
works?
Join Kris Messenger from Bugs n Slugs as she
introduces you to some amazing life cycles.
60 minute
sessions at:
The Wild at Hart
Markets
10.00am
In the historic Harts
Flour Shed at the end of
Mundy St, Port Adelaide
&
Members
$15 child
11.30am
Examine different life cycles from nature and
discover how a range of bugs and slugs and
living things develop and change as they grow.
Take home your own Bugs n Slugs life cycle kit
and watch nature work its magic before your
eyes.
NOW is the time to check out what is happening in National Science Week. You can find events in SA at: www.scienceweek.net.au
Some highlights include:
Science Alive! - Sat 6 & Sun 7 August (Adelaide Showground). Science fun for the whole family, with over 70 interactive displays.
Let's Make Robots! - Sat 13 August (Wingfield)
Stockport Observatory Star Night - Sat 13 August (Stockport)
Prof Brian Cox: Journey into Deep Space - Tues 16 August (Entertainment Centre)
Science is Child's Play - Fri 19 August (Hawthorndene Kindergarten). Community science night
Amy Shira Teitel - Wed 24 August (The Gov, Hindmarsh). Amy is one of the international guests touring the country for National Science Week. She is an
American space historian, with a recently released book "Breaking the Chains of Gravity", a blog and a YouTube channel called "Vintage Space".
Oliphant Science Awards Open Day - Sun 28 August (Findon)
12
Sunday
21/8/16
Orienteering - North Adelaide
Orienteering SA is conducting a special
introductory session for our club at the start of
their regular event open to the public on the day.
We will learn how to use navigation skills in
locating control points in the shortest possible
time, aided by a map.
Then we will head off through the park in family
groups over a set course. There will be a choice
of courses (of varying difficulty) available,
ranging from easy and short, to hard and long.
An ideal family activity, combining problemsolving, challenges, nature and exploration.
Start:
10.30am
Finish time
will depend
on what
course you
choose.
North Adelaide
Parklands, near Fitzroy
Tce
Look for the red and
white orienteering signs.
Members &
families
$12 per family group
$2 for an extra map if
needed
13
Friday
26/8/16
The Magic & Illusion Show
Join us for some magical entertainment!
1 hour show
at:
University of Adelaide,
North Tce Campus
7.00pm
Scott Theatre
Be astonished and entertained with George
Stas of Adelaide Magic as he performs his tricks
and illusions.
Members &
Families
Members:
$5 child
$5 adult
Also open
to nonmembers
Be prepared for comedy, fun and lots of
surprises!
Non-members:
$8 child
Be amazed ... is it magic or science?
$8 adult
George creates a sense of excitement and
wonder as he performs his magic.
This is fun, mind-boggling magic with plenty of
audience participation.
Not to be missed!
14
Sunday
28/8/16
Army Museum of South Australia
This army history museum is one of the best
military displays in Australia (outside of
Canberra).
2 hour
session at:
10.30am
Keswick Army Barracks,
Anzac Highway,
Keswick
Entry via Gate 4
Located at the historic Keswick Barracks, it
includes extensive military archives dating back
to the 1800s, as well as tanks and weapons, and
thousands of items significant to our state's
military history.
The diverse collection continues to grow, with
one of the latest acquisitions being a Leopard
Tank. Adults will be taken on a guided tour while
the children will be given Student Workbooks
(Senior and Junior available). The booklet-based
tour will have the children following directions
and answering questions in the booklets.
A sausage sizzle will be available at the end of
our tour for those wanting to purchase lunch.
Contact: Rona Sakko, Coordinator, Bright Sparks Science Club - 0419 827 723
Members &
Parents
$5 child
$5 adult