Brisbane isn't the centre of the universe — but for five days in March, it'll feel that way when it comes to all things science and technology. For the third year in a row, the city plays host to the only Asia-Pacific offshoot of New York's World Science Festival. The short version: prepare to be showered in knowledge.
This year's science extravaganza will take over a lengthy list of local venues between March 21 and 25, offering up a hefty list of activities to go along with it. Watching classic sci-fi flick Close Encounters of the Third Kind with a live score and staring up into the sky on top-notch telescopes are just the beginning, with the rest of the lineup spanning everything from the annual turtle hatching session (yes, real, tiny turtles), to a meal specifically crafted according to scent, to a science-inspired film screening program at GOMA, plus sci-fi storytelling, an outdoor science playground and Dr Karl doing his thing.
And, if you're keen to listen to some smart folks discuss important subjects, you won't be disappointed. Among the highlights, a panel of neuroscientists, psychiatrists and biologists will chat about the brain; others will delve into space junk floating above the earth; and more still will contemplate 30,000 years of human survival. You know, just everyday topics.