Highlights of Cooperation

2007

In January, Questacon participated in a high-bandwidth live link with Dr Mohri, during his visit to Japan’s Syowa Base in Antarctica. Audiences at Questacon in Canberra, Miraikan in Tokyo and the National Science Museum in Bangkok shared in some real-time experiments conducted by Dr Mohri.

In January, Mr Toshiaki Endo, Senior Vice Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology visited Questacon. The visit initiated the restoration of an interactive Karakuri doll. The doll was a gift to Questacon at the time of its opening and will be restored for future display.

In February, Professor Durant, conducted a Peer Consultation and Review of Miraikan, on behalf of the Association of Science-Technology Centres. Professor Durant met with senior Government officers to discuss future cooperation activities. Questacon’s Education and Strategic Communications Manager, Mr Brenton Honeyman, presented a keynote address on The future of learning: an emerging role for science museums and informal learning institutions at an International Symposium on Museum Communication hosted by The National Science Museum.

In March, Dr Mohri provided a pre-recorded message for an event hosted by Questacon to celebrate the commencement of International Polar Year and to launch Project IGLO (International Action on GLObal Warming) in the Asia Pacific region. Miraikan worked with Japanese school students to produce a video highlighting local climate change impacts, as part of a Questacon project entitled climateXchange. The video was featured at the event.

In May, Questacon received the 2006 ICOM Australia Award for International Relations in recognition of Questacon’s outstanding cooperative initiatives with science centres in Asia and the Pacific, and particularly its collaborative projects with Japanese museums.

In June, Miraikan hosted the Conference of the Asia Pacific Network of Science and Technology Centres (ASPAC). The National Science Museum facilitated part of the program. Science centre and museum leaders from the Asia Pacific region and beyond participated.

2006

In February, His Excellency Mr Hideaki Ueda, Ambassador of Japan, officially launched the exhibit and website Innovation: A Showcase of Australia Japan Cooperation at Questacon, the start of the exhibit’s Australian tour during the Australia Japan Year of Exchange. The launch included a pre-recorded message from Dr Mohri.

In February, the Ambassador of Japan was the guest of honour at the Questacon Advisory Council Dinner. Ideas for further cooperation between Questacon and Japan were discussed. Other special guests included the Hon Greg Hunt MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Australia Japan Foundation and the Australia Japan Business Cooperation Committee.

In March, Professor Durant hosted a visit by the principal and students of Tezukayama Elementary School, Nara, Japan and their Canberra hosts, St Monica’s Primary School. Questacon staff conducted a special program for the students.

In April, Miraikan hosted the public launch of the Innovation exhibit and website in Japan. The Australian Ambassador, Mr Murray McLean OAM, officially opened the exhibit in the presence of guests which included Japanese researchers involved in the cooperative projects featured in the exhibit. The launch included a pre-recorded message from Professor Durant.

In May, Dr Mohri and officers of The National Science Museum visited Perth to participate in the Asia Pacific Network of Science and Technology Centres (ASPAC) annual conference. Further cooperation with Questacon was discussed. Ms Satoko Inoue, International Development Officer, Miraikan, visited Questacon following the conference.

In November, at the Australia Japan Joint Science and Technology Committee meeting, Professor Durant gave a presentation on Questacon’s achievements and the importance of exploring further cooperation with Japan to shape the future of Questacon.

On 23 November, Questacon’s 18th birthday, His Excellency Mr Hideaki Ueda, Ambassador of Japan and Professor Durant co-hosted an evening for diplomatic missions to celebrate Questacon’s international initiatives.

2005

In April, officers from Questacon and The National Science Museum collaborated to co-present two sessions at the fourth Science Centre World Congress in Brazil.

In May, Questacon, in cooperation with Miraikan, completed an exhibit (featuring a display stand, touch screen computers and large LCD monitor) entitled Innovation: A Showcase of Australia Japan Cooperation. This exhibit, funded by the Australian Government’s International Science Linkages Program, was featured at two events at the World Expo, Aichi, Japan during June and September 2005 and remained in Japan during 2006 as part of Australia Japan Year of Exchange activities. A website with the exhibit content was developed for online visitors: www.innovationshowcase.org

2004

In February, the Ambassador of Japan, His Excellency Mr Kenzo Oshima, was a special guest at a dinner to celebrate 15 years of cooperation between Japan and Questacon. The Ambassador highlighted 2006 (the year marking the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation) and 2008 (the year marking the 20th anniversary of Questacon as Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre). The Ambassador saw these years as particularly appropriate times for further significant Japanese cooperation with Questacon.

In May, Questacon Director, Professor Graham Durant visited Japan for meetings with Mr Masamine Sasaki, Director General of The National Science Museum and Dr Mohri, Executive Director of Miraikan, to discuss opportunities for ongoing cooperation under the terms of the Friendship Agreement and MOU respectively.

In August, Mr Brenton Honeyman, from Questacon, visited Japan for the Japan Australia JSTC meeting hosted by MEXT. The visit was used to plan, with Miraikan and The National Science Museum, cooperative activities during the 2006 Year of Exchange.

In October, Mr Brian Fletcher, from Questacon, visited Miraikan to provide briefing about Questacon Smart Moves. While in Japan, Mr Fletcher also visited The National Science Museum.

In December, Questacon contributed to the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum, co-hosted by the Cooperative Research Centre for Satellite Systems and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). This forum promoted further cooperation in practical applications of space technology, as well as in education and awareness about regional space programs. A forum The use of space for the good of humanity was held at Questacon. The forum featured a satellite link to Dr Mohri and students at Miraikan.

2003

In July, a three member team of Questacon science communicators conducted a Pilot Interactive Science Program in Timor Leste. The program was launched by the UNESCO Director General, Mr Matsuura of Japan.

2002

In February, Dr Mohri, was keynote speaker at the third Science Centre World Congress, hosted by Questacon in Canberra. Dr Mohri spoke about the role of Miraikan in relation to visions of new paradigms for the science centre field.

In May, Mr Ono, Vice Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), visited Questacon to discuss possible future cooperative programs.

In December, Questacon hosted a special visit by Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako. Many Questacon staff and visitors, including local school children, met Their Imperial Highnesses as they toured Questacon’s galleries.

2001

In September, Dr Mamoru Mohri, Japan’s first astronaut and Executive Director of Miraikan, visited Questacon, as part of a national lecture tour, to talk about his experiences as an astronaut on NASA Space Shuttle missions.

2000

In March, Questacon Director, Dr Annie Ghisalberti, represented Questacon at the second ASPAC Conference, organised and hosted by the Nagoya City Science Museum. In November, Ms Noriko Morii, from The National Science Museum, undertook a three month study program based at Questacon. This was the first cooperative project under a Friendship Agreement signed earlier that year.

1999

In February, Questacon hosted Mr Toshihiko Kikuyama, Special Advisor to President of NASDA, for a space lecture program for Questacon visitors.

1998

In March, Questacon hosted a joint program with the Japan Marine Science and Technology Centre (JAMSTEC) when the newly commissioned oceanographic research vessel, the Mirai, visited Sydney.

A special presentation for young people was conducted at Questacon in Canberra and in Sydney to highlight cooperation between Japan and Australia in oceanographic research.

In September, Questacon hosted the world renowned exhibition of Japanese Kites and Tops which toured several venues in Australia with the support of the Australia - Japan Foundation.

In October, the SpaceQuest exhibition was launched at Questacon by Mr Noboru Takeshita, former Prime Minister of Japan. Other dignitaries included Mr Gaishi Hiraiwa, former President of the Federation of Economic Organisations (Keidanren) and Mr Isao Uchida, President of the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). The exhibition was designed by NASDA and funded by the Japanese Government as a special contribution to Questacon’s 10th birthday celebrations. This striking display, also supported by the Japan-Australia Business Cooperation Committee, celebrated the achievements of Japan’s space program, including the successful testing of the ALFLEX space vehicle at Woomera in South Australia.