Dr Thompson (right) says there will be something for everyone at Word Science Festival Brisbane. (Supplied: Queensland Museum).
Brisbane launches World Science Festival 2023 to run March 22-26, ABC Radio Brisbane, 2 February 2023
Australia’s first female astronaut has been unveiled as one of the World Science Festival’s biggest drawcards as the event returns to Australia for the first time since 2019.
Key points:
- Brisbane will host the World Science Festival again this year
- Australia’s first astronaut will speak at the event
- The festival will be held in March
In November, Meganne Christian was one of 17 astronaut trainees selected from a pool of over 22,000 applicants and Australia’s first female astronaut.
Based in Italy, Dr Christian is currently researching how sunlight can be used to create hydrogen for fuel, rather than using fossil fuels.
But she will be on hand as Brisbane hosts the international event from March 22-26, which will also help explain the mysteries of ancient medical practices, showcase dinosaurs and focus on the science of First Australians.
Renowned physicist Professor Brian Greene will headline four public conversations discussing space exploration, human memory and what new information the James Webb Space Telescope has brought to Earth.
The Hatchery will return allowing visitors to get a rare glimpse of baby loggerhead turtles hatching in their incubation chambers.
Tickets to the free event are expected to go quickly.
Curiocity Brisbane will also run showcasing 14 artworks across the city’s South Bank.
Queensland Museum Network chief executive Dr Jim Thompson said World Science Festival Brisbane and Curiocity Brisbane would have something for everyone.
“There is something about the unknown elements of space travel and the cosmos beyond that resonates with our audiences and this year we’ll welcome guests from NASA, the European Space Agency and the Australian Space Agency both in person and virtually to Brisbane for the festival,” Dr Thompson said.
“And, coinciding with the new Dinosaurs of Patagonia exhibition opening at the museum, there will be a range of dinosaur-themed conversations and activities, including the closest thing you can get to a live dinosaur with Earth’s Prehistoric Picnic roaring into the South Bank Piazza.”
