Media Release


Senator the Hon Kim Carr

26 Feb 2008

NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK GRANTS ANNOUNCED

Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, has announced $500,000 in funding to support one of the most diverse sets of projects in National Science Week's 11 year history.

"As Australia competes globally in areas such as innovation, engineering, science and research, it is important for the whole country to be aware of our achievements and to be encouraging future growth in science. National Science Week 2008 is a great opportunity for all Australians to get excited about science," Senator Carr said.

National Science Week 2008, taking place between 16-24 August, will feature art exhibitions, film competitions, drama productions, rock concerts, parties, panels, forums and fairs all in the name of science. Events are not limited to capital cities … Goondiwindi, Portland, Lake Macquarie, Mt Isa, Dubbo and televisions sets in every lounge room are some of the places where events will take place.

"The diversity and spread of National Science Week means that most Australians can drive to a National Science Week event near them during August. Even for our most remote communities Science Week will be accessible on the internet via YouTube films and the online National Project," Senator Carr said.

"The 40 projects announced today are just the beginning. Over the next six months the Australian Government will fund additional projects in schools and present a tour for international speakers. The many volunteers who help make Science Week a huge success will develop over 600 public events Australia-wide.

"National Science Week could well be the largest national festival in Australia but even if it is not, it is certainly one of the most important as it highlights some of the most pressing issues for all Australians, the future of our environment, our economy and our wellbeing," Senator Carr said.

"I encourage all Australians to help us pat our scientists and researchers on the back by participating in National Science Week 2008 and celebrating Australian innovation, creativity and know-how."

Media contact: Patrick Pantano (Minister Carr's office) 0417 181 936

   Project   Applicant Organisation   Funding Offered

ACT

SCINEMA Festival of Science Film CSIRO $29,370
ACT Feast or famine ASF Limited $4,000
ACT Earth From Above  ASF Limited  $6,000
ACT Science in the Shops ASF Limited $10,000
ACT Be Kind to Critters CSIRO Education $7,500
 

NSW

Border Stargaze 2008 Astronomical Society of Albury Wodonga  $5,000
NSW Engaging Indigenous Students   Macquarie University  $9,650
NSW Climate Change Science- Give me the facts! Taronga Zoo Education Centre  $7,000
NSW Global Youth Futures Festival Global Youth Futures Festivals Inc. $12,000 
NSW You become the scientist! Lake Macquarie City Library  $2,200
     
NT  Top End Science Fair   CSIRO $14,000 
       

QLD

Science for Life!  Queensland Museum South Bank $10,000 
QLD Science to the Rescue! Queensland Murray-Darling Committee $25,000 
QLD Engaging Indigenous Students with Science The University of Queensland   $14,000
QLD Brainwaves at the Ekka 2008  CSIRO Education, Southern Queensland  $40,000
QLD Science and medical marvels - on tour '08 Mater Medical Research Institute $15,000
QLD National Science Week on Rollercoaster  The Surfing Scientist  $4,000
QLD From the western heat to the ocean deep Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service $8,870
     

SA

Science Alive! Science Week Coordinating Committee (SA) $29,000 
SA Open for Science South Australian Museum  $30,000
SA Science at the Lakes 2008  The Mawson Centre  $8,000
SA Science roadshow  University of Adelaide  $4,000
       

TAS  

Young Tassie Scientists 2008  University of Tasmania  $21,770
TAS A Taste of Agricultural Science University of Tasmania  $5,000
TAS Planet Earth: Beyond our Backyard Imaginarium Science Centre  $12,000
TAS Celebration of Science  The Don College  $4,000
       

VIC

Inspiring Science  Museum Victoria  $25,000
VIC Great Big Science Gig  CSIRO Education  $30,000
VIC The Mathemagical Mystery Tour Mathematical Association of Victoria  $2,220
VIC Waterama Echelon Productions  $6,000
VIC A Mathematical Comedy Extravaganza! Numbercrunch - Maths Communication  $16,580
VIC Technologies for the World Engineers Without Borders Australia  $10,000
VIC Weather, Climate and Planet Earth  Bureau of Meteorology  $7,000
VIC Microscope and Drawing Exhibition Scale Free Network $4,290 
VIC Marine Science in Action Marine Discovery Centre   $2,550
       

WA

Big West Test Scitech  $14,272 
WA Healthy Place – Healthy People  Environs Kimberley   $25,000
WA Wild Science Festival 2008  WA Gould League Inc  $5,000
WA Shopping Trolley Science Scitech $10,000 
WA Science of My Scene  The Gedanken Collective   $5,000