18 May 2005
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Public Affairs Coordinator
media@questacon.edu.au
02 6126 2216 or 0439 399 912
The echo of African drums filled the foyer of Questacon this morning heralding the launch of Strike a Chord – The Science of Music.
Questacon’s newest exhibition, Strike a Chord was officially opened by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Education, Science and Training, The Hon Pat Farmer MP and Canberra’s very own Australian Idol, Hayley Jensen.
In front of an audience of more than 200 children from local and Western Sydney schools and with the assistance of the internationally acclaimed Sydney Drum Cafe´, Mr Farmer and Hayley helped bring the excitement of this new exhibition to the National Science and Technology Centre.
“This exhibition acknowledges the important role that music plays in all of our lives, showcasing its integral role to every culture on earth,” said Pat Farmer.
“Through the interactive exhibits visitors will learn about the science behind the sound and how it relates to our every day lives.”
Hayley Jensen shared with the audience the profound influence that music has had on her own life. As well as gracing the crowd of very excited children with a duet with one of Questacon’s very own performers.
Strike a Chord – The Science of Music contains over 20 hands-on exhibits which will take visitors on a musical journey of discovery. From conducting your own virtual orchestra, playing in an ‘air band’ or enjoying a musical massage. Each exhibit was designed to communicate the science behind the music in a fun and enjoyable environment.
A diverse range of experts were consulted for the development of Strike a Chord, from researchers at the University of New South Wales’s Acoustics Lab through to professional musicians and audiologists.
The hands on exhibits allow visitors to explore the properties of sound such as pitch, volume and wavelength. By recording, composing, replaying and manipulating sound and music, visitors will discover how certain properties of sound are related to each other.
“Strike a Chord will be popular with people of all ages, regardless of whether they’re musical geniuses or tone deaf,” said Pat Farmer.
The exhibition will reside at Questacon until 2007.