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Space & Science Festival comes to the Wairarapa

April 10, 2018 April 2018 No Comments

After inspiring more than 10,000 people in Wellington over the last two years, the “Space & Science Festival” is coming to the Wairarapa.

Space & Science Festival, a mix of spectacular science displays, science talks and classroom activity, is a not-for-profit charity created by a group of volunteer parents, teachers, scientists, engineers and technologists.

Supported by a number of outreach organisations, its aim is to inspire the next generation to enjoy and study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) subjects,” chairman Lee Mauger said Tuesday.

The Festival involves two events on May 5.

FAMILY EVENT – Space & Science Festival @ Greytown Primary School

For families, there will be a range of Space & Science-themed activities at Greytown Primary School from midday to 4pm.

“Expect some spectacular science experiment displays, science talks and classroom activities for all ages,” Mauger said. “We’re hoping to make this an annual feature on the Space & Science Festival calendar.”

“It’s going to be so incredibly stimulating for families and I’m sure it will inspire children to learn more about space and science in ways they haven’t thought of before,” says Miss O’Connor (Greytown Primary School Principal).

“We’re a step-ahead sort of a school when it comes to technology, so adding this broader science aspect is a perfect fit for us. It’s certainly a direction we are heading in anyway, so the opportunity has come at an ideal time, not to mention the opportunity to involve our wider community – which is a real bonus.”

Tickets are available on the Space & Science Festival website and have been kept to a very modest $10 a person thanks to our lead partner Genesis School-gen. Ticket sales will support both Greytown Primary School and the Space & Science Festival.

ADULT EVENT – Evening Talks on “Dark Skies & the Science of Light” 

For adults, there will be a series of short talks on “Dark Skies & the Science of Light” at Carterton Events Centre from 6:00pm to 9:00pm May 5.

“We’re excited to have guest expert speakers from both Victoria University and Auckland University, plus a special guest international speaker – Dr John Barentine from the International Dark Sky Association in Tuscon, Arizona.

“The festival organisers are grateful that these inspirational experts have volunteered their time to give talks in the Wairarapa” chairman Lee Mauger said.

The talks have been organised in collaboration with the Martinborough Dark Sky Society which aims to create an International Dark Sky Reserve in the Wairarapa.

This event has four guest speakers who will each give a short 20-30 minute talk on their areas of expertise:

Dr Brendan Darby from Victoria University of Wellington will demystify the colour temperature of light

Dr Guy Warman from Auckland University will talk about circadian rhythms Ellery McNaughton from Auckland University will talk about her PhD research on light pollution in New Zealand.

Dr John Barentine from the International Dark Sky Association will talk about the association’s work to protect our natural night time environment world-wide, highlighting successes in New Zealand.

Barentine, on his first visit to the country, will also consult with Martinborough Dark Sky Society executive members while in the Wairarapa, then visit dark sky groups in other parts of the country, including Tekapo _ the world’s first dark sky reserve.

Organisers hope to grow the Space & Science Festival in coming years to help the Wairarapa become a hub for educating communities and the next generation on all things science and space, Mauger noted.

Tickets are available on the Space & Science Festival website and have been kept to a very modest $10 a person thanks to supporters. Ticket sales will support the Space & Science Festival. These events regularly sell out so its recommended you book your tickets online at http://www.spacesciencefestival to avoid disappointment on the day.

Information on the Space & Science Festival and tickets can be found online at http://spacesciencefestival.orhttp://facebook.com/

Highlight; “Expect some spectacular science experiment displays, and activities for all ages.”

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