QVMAG's Big Day of Science tipped to be smashing fun

Image: Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten and glass maker Anne Clifton from Glass Manifesto making glass beads at QVMAG ahead of the Big Day of Science.

This year Northern Tasmanians will enjoy two events at the Queen Victoria Museum at Inveresk to celebrate Science Week 2022, including an evening of astronomy in the Launceston Planetarium and a day-long science extravaganza at the Museum at Inveresk.

Teaming up with Beaker Street Festival 2022, QVMAG will host the sold out Starry Starry Night: Celestial Navigation Across the Ages event in the Launceston Planetarium on Friday 12 August at 6pm.

Guests will hear from celestial navigator Jeremy Parker and astronomer Chris Arkless as they discuss how the stars have assisted voyagers throughout time, before watching the animated adventure Ngã Tohunga Whakatere — The Navigators to discover how the night sky guided the journeys of First Nations people.

Tomorrow, QVMAG will celebrate with the Big Day of Science at the Museum at Inveresk with scientists from across Northern Tasmania coming together to host a range of free activities for visitors to enjoy.

Families will learn about the science taking place around us every day as they get hands-on with activities while learning about the 2022 Science Week theme of 'glass'.

Activities on the day will see visitors exploring items from the QVMAG collection up close with magnifying glasses and microscopes, watching live demonstrations of glass bead making with local studio Glass Manifesto, learning about double glazing through experiments and learning how honey is like glass.

Image: Anne Clifton from Glass Manifesto making glass beads at QVMAG ahead of the Big Day of Science.

Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said the Big Day of Science was a great free day out for families in Northern Tasmania.

'This free event at the Museum at Inveresk is a great way for children to learn about science and we hope to see as many families as possible make the most of this family fun day out,' Mayor van Zetten said.

QVMAG Education Officer Sue Street said the Big Day of Science would be a great way to keep children entertained while learning about science.

'Science Week is always great fun at QVMAG and with the 2022 theme being 'glass' we've had lots of fun creating programs for families to explore,' Street said.

'The Big Day of Science is a great way for children to learn through a range of free hands-on educational experiences and we've got plenty of fun activities waiting to be enjoyed on the day.'

Issued 12 August 2022.