Science Circus celebrates 30 years on the road

Publication date
Wednesday, 18 Mar 2015
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The University’s flagship science communication program the Shell Questacon Science Circus has celebrated 30 years of inspiring Australians about science.

Officials, school children and current and past presenters celebrated the anniversary with a special showcase of its most popular exhibits on the lawns outside Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre in Canberra.

The Science Circus is run by a team of 15 science graduates studying an ANU Masters of Science Communication Outreach.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Young AO said the University was proud to play a key role in the Science Circus, which was founded by Professor Mike Gore AO from the ANU National Centre for Public Awareness of Science.

“With its team of young science communicators, the Science Circus has touched the lives of thousands of Australian children, helped change people’s perceptions about science, and has inspired many young people to pursue careers in science,” Professor Young said.

During their year of intensive study of the theoretical and practical aspects of science communication, the Circus takes science to schools and communities across Australia, said Professor Graham Durant AM, Director of Questacon.

“In 30 years, the Science Circus has covered the length and breadth of Australia, making science more accessible for all, and providing an opportunity for families to explore and enjoy science together,” he said.

Set up in 1985, the Shell Questacon Science Circus has reached more than 2.2 million Australians and visited more than 500 regional towns and 90 remote Indigenous communities, with its brightly-coloured semi-trailer driving hundreds of thousands of kilometres around the country.

The Science Circus delivers science shows in schools as well as teacher professional development workshops and hands-on science exhibitions for regional communities.

At the core of the Science Circus is a drive to inspire young people to value and engage in science, technology, engineering and maths. The enthusiastic young presenters are integral to the appeal of the programme, said Professor Durant.

“The Science Circus presenters are wonderful role models for the variety of careers available in science and technology. In fact, several past presenters were originally inspired to study science by a Science Circus visit to their school.”

The Science Circus is delivered through a partnership between Questacon, Shell Australia and the ANU.

“The success of the Science Circus is underpinned by this remarkable, 30-year partnership that exemplifies what can be achieved through a shared long-term commitment to science education by government, academia and industry,” Professor Durant said.

“The Science Circus and the associated ANU course provide a rich training ground for young science communicators, providing real experience in many different aspects of the field. The program boasts almost 400 graduates, many of whom hold influential positions in Australia and overseas in a variety of fields.”

The Science Circus will continue its 2015 touring year in May, visiting regional communities in the Orana and New England regions of New South Wales.