National Science Week 2015

National Science WeekElectric animals and pseudoscience-busting are on the menu as the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) celebrates National Science Week 2015.

A major event on the program this year is the two-day Festival of Bright Ideas on Hobart's waterfront, where TMAG will be one of several science organisations presenting activities and exhibitions.

The free event will offer a diverse program of hands-on activities, exhibitions, science entertainment, and celebrity speakers suitable for the whole family. It will be open to pre-booked school groups on Friday 14 August and to the general public on Saturday 15 August.

TMAG's exhibit is titled Spark UpYour Wildlife, and explains how animals use their own ancient electrical powers to survive and also delves into the phenomenon of electro-reception in animals such as platypus and spiders.

Following on from the festival, TMAG will also present a special one-off event celebrating women in science at the museum on Friday 21 August.

Glow Girl and Sci-Babe – International Pseudoscience Busters will take place in the Central Gallery, and will be emceed by award-winning environmental campaigner, television journalist and science presenter Tanya Ha.

The panel will feature 'Glow Girl' Siouxsie Wiles, a microbiologist and bioluminescence enthusiast from New Zealand, and 'Sci-Babe' Yvette d'Entremont from the US, who has a background in analytical chemistry, forensics and toxicology.

This free event will be suitable for those 18+, and a pay bar will be operating. Bookings are recommended as tickets are limited.

The Festival of Bright Ideas is open to the public at Princes Wharf Shed No 1 on Saturday 15 August from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. For more information, visit the festival website.

Glow Girl and Sci-Babe will be in TMAG's Central Gallery from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm on Friday 21 August. Tickets are available at the Eventbrite website.