25 years on the road and still going strong

29 October 2010

Twenty five years of touring and taking dynamic science experiences to communities across Australia was celebrated today at Questacon—The National Science and Technology Centre. 

Since 1985, the ground breaking Science Circus has packed its iconic colourful truck with hands-on science exhibits and travelled across the country with enthusiastic young science graduates to encourage and promote an interest in science.

To commemorate this remarkable achievement, the Minister for Industry, Innovation, Science and Research, Senator the Hon Kim Carr, visited Questacon and joined with Science Circus presenters and partners for an interactive science demonstration.

The ongoing success of the Science Circus is the result of a long term partnership between the Shell Companies in Australia, The Australian National University (ANU) and Questacon.

“The Science Circus has delivered an inspirational education program over the past 25 years and we are very proud of this,” said Country Chair, Shell in Australia and Executive Vice President, Upstream Australia, Ms Ann Pickard.

“The success of the Science Circus highlights the value of industry working with organisations such as Questacon and the ANU to achieve shared aims. Together we are not only supporting the education of young Australians, but reinforcing the benefit of approaching science education in an innovative way,” Ms Pickard said.

Questacon Director, Professor Graham Durant said it was remarkable that in 1985 the three organisations came together and unified their commitment to young Australians, innovation, science and new technology.

“For 25 years the ANU partnership with Questacon and Shell has played an essential role in inspiring countless young Australians to take an interest in science. The University is proud to be a partner in such a creative and enduring initiative,” said ANU Vice Chancellor Professor Ian Chubb AC.

“I’m delighted to announce that yesterday I renewed the ANU agreement with Questacon for the provision of science communication education as a key part of the Shell Questacon Science Circus initiative.

“The partnership between our two national institutions will continue to spark the interest of young Australians in science, and make an important contribution to our nation’s future as a result,” said Professor Chubb.

“As the Science Circus heads towards its 26^th year it is embracing digital technology. In this spirit, today’s celebrations were broadcast live using digital broadband technology to schools in Parkes NSW, Gippsland in Victoria and metropolitan Sydney.

“This year the Science Circus undertook its first digital tour. This approach does not replace the traditional face-to-face learning experience of a tour but enables us to visit schools more frequently and reinforce the positive experiences communities have with the Science Circus,” said Professor Durant.

More than 2.1 million Australians have experienced the Shell Questacon Science Circus. The Science Circus uses interactive public exhibitions, school workshops, training workshops for teachers and specialist programs for remote Indigenous communities to engage all Australians with science.

In 25 years the Science Circus has made over 7700 school visits, provided over 270 professional development workshops for 4100 teachers and visited and revisited 90 Indigenous communities and 490 towns in regional and remote Australia.