Record numbers engage with science at Questacon

6 July 2010

Questacon—The National Science and Technology Centre, has experienced another record year of visitation. During 2009-10, 446 038 people experienced the excitement of interactive and inspirational exhibitions during a visit to Questacon in Canberra - up 6 per cent on the previous financial year. 

“The past year has been significant for Questacon, with new exhibitions and major building refurbishments,” said Questacon Director, Professor Graham Durant.

“We were excited and delighted to be awarded another Australian Tourism Award in February 2010.

“As a result of our refurbishment program, we now have a purpose-built digital studio that allows us to explore new ways to deliver interactive engagement through high-bandwidth connectivity to communities across Australia and internationally.

“Last month these facilities were used to celebrate the Hayabusa space mission through a video conference with Japan.

“It is through our outreach programs that we truly deliver our national mission of engaging the Australian community in science. This year we celebrate a significant milestone with the 25th anniversary of the Shell Questacon Science Circus.

“More than 2 million Australians have experienced this remarkable program over 25 years,” said Professor Durant.

Each year Questacon’s outreach and travelling exhibition programs engage and inspire communities throughout Australia. More than 165 000 Australians took part in an outreach program in their own community last financial year.

“The Australian Government’s Inspiring Australia: A National Strategy for Engagement with the Sciences released earlier this year calls on Questacon to expand its role as Australia’s leading science communication organisation.

“The next 12 months will see us continue to develop and grow as we embrace our new facilities and ensure we engage all Australians with science, especially those in rural and remote communities, to realise the social, economic and environmental benefits of Australia’s investment and capacity in science and research,” said Professor Durant.