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Last updated: July 2013
Geoscience Australia continues to offer education and outreach programs to promote awareness and knowledge of the Earth sciences, and the contribution geoscience makes to the Australian economy, resource management and environmental protection. Outreach programs, such as Open Day, and participation in activities to celebrate National Science Week and Earth Science Week, aim to raise awareness and promote the programs that Geoscience Australia undertakes.
Geoscience Australia’s Open Day will be held on Sunday 18 August 2013. Open Day, which coincides with the conclusion of National Science Week, is an opportunity for interested members of the public to visit the agency’s headquarters at Symonston, ACT. A range of displays, tours and activities will showcase how the agency’s research is being applied to some of the major challenges facing Australia today. Tours of the Australian Tsunami Warning Centre, the Sensitive High Resolution Ion Microprobe (SHRIMP) and fossil laboratories, an Antarctic experience, a walk back in time, rock identification, gold panning and map making are some of the activities planned for the day. The roving dinosaur will also be back for another year, encouraging children to experience what it may have been like in the Jurassic.
Earth Science Week (ESW) is an international initiative to promote the Earth sciences and raise awareness of the contribution geoscience makes to the community. This year’s ESW will be held from 13 to 19 October with the theme of ‘Mapping Our World’. Geoscience Australia will once again host the Earth Science Week 2013 webpage to promote activities that will happen around the nation.
In the lead up to Earth Science Week, Geoscience Australia will again be running the Top GeoShot photographic competition. This competition is open to members of the public and aims to produce a collection of images that capture the essence of Earth science in Australia. This year’s theme is ‘Exposed to the Elements’ and entries are due by 23 September 2013. Winning entries will be announced during Earth Science Week and will be on display in the foyer of the Geoscience Australia building.
Further information and updates on Open Day and Earth Science Week activities will be included on the Geoscience Australia’s Public Programs website.
Geoscience Australia’s Public Programs
Following a series of highly successful public lectures in Perth and Canberra, Dr Richard Blewett from Geoscience Australia will again be presenting the popular Shaping a Nation public lecture at the Australian Museum in Sydney on Thursday 18 July.
Australia’s geography and geology have shaped the nation in many ways, through the climate, soils and landscapes, seascapes, water, minerals and energy, as well as the unique flora and fauna of this continent and what the fossil record tells us about the evolution of life and the planet in general. Join Richard Blewett in exploring the challenges and opportunities presented by Australia’s rich geological heritage.
Bookings are essential via the Australian Museum website, or please call 02 9320 6255.
Dr Richard Blewett, an Aussie by birth, left for Africa and UK in the 1970s to study and work. He returned to Australia in 1990 to join Geoscience Australia, where he is presently the Group Leader of Regional Geology and Mineral Systems in the Minerals and Natural Hazards Division. Richard was Chief Editor of Shaping a Nation: A Geology of Australia which was published to celebrate Australia as the host nation of the 34th International Geological Congress held in Brisbane in 2012.
Australian Museum Geology of Australia Night Talk
7–10 July 2013
La Trobe University
Contact: Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA)
conasta@asta.edu.au
www.asta.edu.au/
8–12 July 2013
RMIT Melbourne
Contact: Joanna Wilson
phone: +61 3 9035 9536
fax: +61 3 8344 6324
mpe@amsi.org.au
www.mathsofplanetearth.org.au/mpe2013/
18 July 2013 (7.00pm)
Australian Museum
Australian Museum Geology of Australia
Night Talk
phone: +61 3 9320 6225
australianmuseum.net.au/event/Night-Talk-Geology
21–26 July 2013
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Contact: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society
info@igarss2013.org
www.igarss2013.org
10–18 August 2013
Contact: National Science Week Office
scienceweek@innovation.gov.au
www.scienceweek.net.au
11–14 August 2013
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Contact: The Australian Society of Exploration
Geophysics and the Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia
aseg-pesa2013@arinex.com.au
www.aseg-pesa2013.com.au
Sunday 18 August
Geoscience Australia
Contact: Vicki Pow
vicki.pow@ga.gov.au
www.ga.gov.au/education/public-events/open-day.html
15–20 September 2013
Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
Contact: 2013 IAH Congress website
www.iahcongress2013.org
Closing date 23 September 2013
Geoscience Australia
www.ga.gov.au/about-us/news-media/news-2013/do-you-have-australias-next-top-geoshot.html
13–19 October 2013
Contact: info@earthsciweek.org
www.earthsciweek.org
www.ga.gov.au/education/public-events/earthscience-week.html
For more information on Geoscience Australia's involvement in the above events email ausgeomail@ga.gov.au