RiAus runs a range of programs to increase public engagement with science.

Free Range Science

The RiAus is a national centre which, in addition to its activities in South Australia, is currently taking science to all kinds of venues - from pubs to community halls, ovals and gardens - in regional Victoria. Following the successful 2009 pilot in the Grampians region, in 2010 Free Range Science will take science and scientists out of the lab and into the towns of the Barwyn South West and Gippsland regions.

What's the deal with nanotechnology? What's the secret to kicking a perfect goal? Why does good food taste great? If you've ever wondered about the big - or small - questions, Free Range Science is for you. Audiences will have the opportunity to find out about the latest scientific developments, put their questions to the scientists on the ground, and discover and explore the latest technology.

This initiative is supported by the Victorian Government.

www.riaus.org.au/freerangescience

Past Events
ACMI in association with Free Range Science presents:
Free range films

You and your family are invited to experience these big screen films exploring the spectacular world of science and natural history. Marysville, December 4-6. For more information, please download the PDF flyer here.

Nanotechnology- the future is small

Nanotechnology - what is it? For some, it's nothing new. For others, the word conjures up images of a sci-fi future. So what's the big fuss about?

Nanotechnology is the science of small things. Really, really small things. Perhaps the simplest definition is that it involves engineering at the scale of billionths of a metre - a million times smaller than the head of a pin.

But nanotechnology is already all around you if you know where to look; nature has utilised nano sized structures many times throughout evolution, from helping  geckos walk on ceilings to the beautiful iridescence of butterfly wings.  Nanotech is already in everyday items such as car parts, cosmetics and sunscreen, tennis rackets and stain-proof clothes.  Materials can take on unique properties at the nanoscale, such as carbon nanotubes 1/50,000 the width of a human hair, but fifty times stronger than steel.

Join Francesca Calati (La Trobe University) and Dr Erol Harvey (MiniFAB), for an entertaining hands-on exploration of the real life science behind nanotechnology.  Take part in hands'on 'The Nanotube Challenge' and discover the answers to some big questions about very small worlds.

Date and time: Wednesday 21 October 2009 7pm-9pm
Location: The George Hotel, 25-27 Lydiard St, Ballarat VIC 3350
Audience: Adults with no assumed scientific background.  Under 18s will only be admitted with a parent or guardian.

This event is free of charge but booking is required - visit http://freerangesciencenanotechnology.eventbrite.com/  to book now.

Science fiction to science fact

Part of the Natimuk Frinj, November 1, 11am-12.30pm 

Natimuk RSL club, 70 Main St , Natimuk VIC 3409

Advances in science and technology speed along at such a rate it can be hard to know exactly how to separate the plausible, possible or predictive, from the cold hard facts.

While much of the fiction remains just that (at least for now!), other ideas have been strangely prophetic. In fact, some of the science facts we take for granted started life as imaginative musings in novels and pulp fiction mags.

Join astronomer and popular-science writer Fred Watson and a best-selling sci-fi author as they explore how science and science fiction borrow from each other to entertain and to expand knowledge of the universe.

Audience: Adults with no assumed scientific background.  
This event is free of charge but booking is required - visit http://freerangesciencescifitoscifact.eventbrite.com/  to book now.

This initiative is proudly supported by the Victorian Government.