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SciFright activity schedule
Are We the Monsters?
Presented by Dr Rebecca Hendershott
Session times
- 6:40pm to 7:10pm
- 7:50pm to 8:20pm
Location
Blue Door Room
About
Pop culture has long explored dystopian futures with technological advancements and vicious animals out to get us.
What does it say about our cultural psyche when these elements combine, and the creatures of our nightmares are really a reflection of ourselves?
Join the discussion as Dr Rebecca Hendershott explores humanity's deep-seated fear of animals endowed with human technology, and what that would mean for our status as the superior species.
A short presentation referencing The Planet of the Apes series through to Black Mirror will be followed by Q&A, delving deep into the psyche of these fears and "human nature".
How to Suck Blood (and make the victim feel good about it)
Presented by Vampire-Biotechnologist, Quentin Vérfaló
Session times:
- 7:15pm to 7:45pm
- 8:25pm to 8:55pm
Location
Blue Door Room
About
Blood sucking can be a dangerous and messy business, since victims often don’t embrace it with much enthusiasm. The Vampire-Biotechnologist Quentin Vérfaló is the inventor of several biology-based blood harvesting devices collectively referred to as “Parasites”.
In this behind-the-scenes presentation, Quentin will reveal the newest strategies and major technological advances that overcome barriers to a happy sanguinivorous lifestyle.
Quentin Vérfaló is the Head of the Vampire Device Agency (VDA). He specialises in blood acquisition and mind control. Quentin has a degree in bionic engineering. He is believed to be the mastermind behind several clandestine operations with the goal to ensure a steady food supply for the vampire community.
It is assumed that within the human population Quentin disguises as Alex Maier pretending to be a Professor of Molecular Parasitology at the Australian National University. However - so far – an undisputable link between these two identities has not been substantiated.
Venomous Spider Wasps
Presented by Dr Juanita Rodriguez Arrieta
Location
Gallery 4
About
Spider wasps are solitary wasps that parasitise spiders as hosts for their offspring, which develop in the paralysed but still-living body of the spider. But most Australian spider-wasp species are unknown to science. Gaining a better understanding of Australia’s biodiversity to manage and benefit from it is a national challenge.
Juanita Rodriguez is a research scientist at the Australian National Insect Collection. Her research focuses on the use of morphological and molecular data to study the systematics, diversification, evolution and historical biogeography of terrestrial arthropods. Most of her research has been dedicated to Hymenoptera, more specifically ants and spider wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae).
The Bone Yard
Presented by Dr Sheena Adamson
Location
Gallery 2
About
Join us for an engaging session with Questacon Volunteer Explainer, Dr Sheena Adamson, who’ll guide visitors through the fascinating world of bones.
Discover how bones support and protect living creatures, explore the skeletal structure and gain insights into animal anatomy from a veterinary perspective.
The event will feature a hands-on demonstration constructing a cow skeleton and an opportunity to ask questions.
Liquid Fright-rogen
Session times:
- 7:00pm to 7:20pm
- 7:40pm to 8:00pm
- 8:20pm to 8:40pm
- 9:00pm to 9:20pm
Location
Japan Theatre
About
Enter if you dare, as our resident mad scientist Igor unleashes the chilling powers of liquid nitrogen in an explosive, spine-tingling performance, showcasing the weird, wonderful, and worrisome.
Dissect the Unexpected
Session times:
- 6:45pm to 7:00pm
- 7:30pm to 7:45pm
- 8:15pm to 8:30pm
- 9:00pm to 9:15pm
Location
Gallery 4
About
Not for the squeamish, Q Lab will be running dissection demonstrations throughout the night.
Explore entrails and gather giblets with some hands-on learning.
Make A Monster
Location
Dr Frankenstein's Lab aka The Shed in Gallery 5
About
Channel your inner mad scientist and make yourself a man or a monster in Dr Frankenstein’s Lab.
Crafting creations out of cardboard you can bring to life your very own creature of horror to take home.
Capture your creations and transformations with a souvenir photo from our SciFright Photobooth in the foyer!
Dr Scar - Vampires v Werewolves
Location
Questacon foyer
About
Take your costume to the next level and let Dr Scar leave their mark.
Choose your side in a battle of the beasts as werewolves and vampires run rampant through the halls.
Capture your creations and transformations with a souvenir photo from our SciFright Photobooth!
