Young Toowoomba Einsteins get ready for science fun!

How to sift through a crime scene, read the age of ancient rocks, or protect our precious environment is some of the science fun on offer for inquisitive Toowoomba kids from tomorrow.

Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle said a series of six Science on Saturday sessions, comprising interactive activities and hands-on experiments, would be run at Darling Heights State School in Toowoomba from 28 February.

“This is a fantastic program to illustrate science to kids aged 7 to 14 in a way a text book never could. It gives students the chance to get their hands dirty, get experimenting, and importantly, have fun,” Ms Boyle said.

Ms Boyle said budding science brains or any child with a curiosity could explore, discover and investigate the wonderful world of science, how it affects our lives, and some of the cool careers available.

“Activities include analysing fingerprints, learning about species vital for the survival of our planet, and why the human body behaves the way it does,” she said.

“Our youngsters will get a taste of a range of interesting jobs such as that of a forensic detective, doctor, geologist or geneticist.”

Ms Boyle said the exciting new topics and experiments in the 2009 program included: Scientists at Work, Our Environment, Health and Wellbeing, Whodunnit?, Geology Rocks! and Awesome Agriculture.

“And this year we have a showbag full of fun do-it-yourself experiments and a booklet featuring some fantastic young Queensland scientists,” she said.

“The booklet will give a great insight into the day-to-day life of real scientists and some of the interesting and diverse work they get to do. It’s hoped this will inspire students to explore science careers after school.”

Science on Saturday includes two sessions held on each Saturday – one at 10am to 11:30am for students aged 7 to 10, and another at 12:30pm to 2pm for the older kids (11 to 14 years old).

Sessions run for 90 minutes each Saturday for six weeks. A different topic is covered each week.

“Kids may attend as many or as few sessions as they like, however parents will need to book in advance as places will fill up fast.”

Science on Saturday will be held at Darling Heights State School, Wuth St, Toowoomba.

The annual Queensland Government initiative, now in its fifth year, is delivered by CSIRO Education.

BOOKINGS AND WEBSITE

Places cost $6 per session prepaid or $9 on the day. Numbers are limited and bookings are essential, even if you wish to pay on the day. For more information or bookings, visit www.csiro.au/sos or call 1300 302 649. 

27 February 2009

For high resolution images from Science on Saturday please visit:
http://www.dtrdi.qld.gov.au/media/20080717_sos/

Media contact: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005