Melbourne Museum and Scienceworks are celebrating National Science Week from 15 – 23 August 2009 with a variety of special events and activities. These include behind the scenes tours, a chance to meet inspiring scientists, an astronomy lecture, chemistry workshops for kids and more.

For further information visit museumvictoria.com.au or phone 13 11 02.

MELBOURNE MUSEUM

Inspiring Scientists
Biology? Paleontology? Find out about your favourite “ology” by chatting to inspiring career scientists. Meet scientists from a range of research and career backgrounds and talk to an expert to find out what exciting and varied opportunities a career in science has to offer.
Date: Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August
Time: 11.00 to 4.00pm
Cost: Free with venue entry
Location: Melbourne Museum

Behind the Scenes tour
View fascinating objects from Museum Victoria’s science collection that have not been on public display. See deep sea fish, unusual crystals, ancient fossils and more in this rare opportunity to tour some of Museum Victoria’s science collection.
Date: Saturday 15 August
Time: 11.00am, 12.00pm, 2.00pm & 3.30pm
Cost: Free with venue entry
Location: Melbourne Museum. Places limited, sign up on the day

Bring in a…
Ever come across something while bushwalking or gardening that has stumped you completely? Bring in a bug, bone, fossil or feather that you have found and make use of Museum Victoria’s expertise and free identification services at the Discovery Centre, Melbourne Museum.
Date: Saturday 15 August
Time: 10.00am to 4.00pm
Location: Melbourne Museum, Discovery Centre

Walking with Dinosaurs
Look out for the dinosaur puppets that roam the galleries of the Melbourne Museum. Beware – who knows when they will be right behind you!
Date: Saturday 15 August
Time: Daily
Cost: Free with venue entry
Location: Melbourne Museum

Make a Dino Mask
Make your own Styracosaurus mask and wander through the Dinosaur Walk amongst some of the other fierce-looking armoured dinosaurs.
Date: Saturday 15 August
Time: 11.00am to 3.00pm
Cost: Free with venue entry
Location: Melbourne Museum

Meet the Expert
Come along and meet a museum curator, scientist or researcher. Find out about their exciting work and the latest research at Museum Victoria.
Date: Saturday 15 August
Time: 11.15am, 11.45am, 12.15pm, 12.45pm, 1.15pm, 1.45pm, 2.15pm & 2.45pm
Cost: Free with venue entry
Location: Melbourne Museum

SCINEMA
In National Science Week 2009 we invite you to discover the talent across Australia with SCINEMA – exploring science through film. Sit back and relax with SCINEMA in the Discovery Centre and find out about all things science and the great Science Week events in the coming week.
Date: Saturday 15 August and Sunday 23 August (Scienceworks only)
Time: Daily
Cost: Free with venue entry
Location: Melbourne Museum and Scienceworks

SCIENCEWORKS

Discover the Night Sky: Milky Way Galaxy
We are just one planet, orbiting one star, among the 400 billion-odd stars of our Milky Way Galaxy. It is truly magnificent; a swirling mass of stars, gas and dust. But what do we know of our home galaxy? And how did we come to discover it? Evening includes a planetarium experience, complimentary wine and cheese and stargaze through telescopes (weather permitting).
Date: Thursday 20 August   Note: Discover the Night Sky lectures also run Thursday 6, 13 and 27 August
Time: 7.00pm
Cost: $25
Location: Melbourne Planetarium at Scienceworks. Bookings essential, call 9392 4819

BASF Kids’ Lab
Experience the fascinating world of chemistry! Run by BASF chemists, the chemistry workshops introduce chemistry to children in a fun and exciting way through simple and interactive hands-on experiments.
Date: Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August
Time: 11.00am, 1.00 & 3.00pm
Location: Scienceworks. Bookings essential, call 9392 4819

Australian Skeptics
The Australian Skeptics will be explaining the science behind the paranormal at Scienceworks. See magic illusions, try out a bed of nails and many more surprising demonstrations.
Date: Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August
Time: 11.00am to 4.00pm
Cost: Free with venue entry
Location: Scienceworks
This initiative is supported by the Australian Government as part of National Science Week.