Celebrating 20 Years of Science at Questacon

15 February 2008

Questacon’s 20th anniversary year was today officially launched by Dr Craig Emerson, Minister for Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy. Questacon is a major player in the education business, training business and the tourism business but above all it is a major player in the innovation business.

“Questacon, Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre celebrates 20 years of inspirational science this year. The anniversary year provides a special opportunity to celebrate Questacon’s achievements and successes over the last 20 years and consider how Questacon can contribute to important agendas for the future of the nation,” Dr Emerson said.

Questacon opened in 1988 as a joint Australia-Japan Bicentennial Project. The Japanese Government and business community contributed half the cost of the building, the headquarters for Questacon’s national and international operations.

“From a modest, volunteer-run science centre, to the Questacon that stands on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin today, Questacon has grown to be one of the world’s leading science centres and a major innovator in informal learning,” said Questacon Director Professor Graham Durant.

“As an established leader in informal learning, Questacon plays a critical role in supporting formal education to increase awareness of and enthusiasm towards science, technology and innovation. Questacon is proud of its reputation, national reach, the quality of our programs, products and of course our people.”

Questacon honours its special relationship with Japan and the 20th anniversary year will feature a number of events to build on that special relationship. A number of Japanese secondary students will participate in the Questacon Smart Moves Invention Convention, a science communicator exchange and a Japanese Karakuri technologies workshop for primary school students.

“I congratulate Questacon for 20 successful years as an Australia-Japan Bicentennial Project and look forward to watching our partnership grow as we continue to work with Questacon,” said His Excellency Mr Takaaki Kojima, Ambassador of Japan. The Ambassador said that he hoped that the series of 20th anniversary events this year would provide an opportunity for visitors to see and feel an innovative Japan.

Since opening in 1988 more than 6.8 million people have visited Questacon in Canberra, with a further 14.9 million engaging with a travelling exhibition or program across Australia. Questacon’s exhibitions have also toured internationally to 31 countries.