Sydney Science Festival 2017

Overview

Putting the spotlight on the weird and wonderful world of science each year, Sydney Science Festival brings together global and local legends in science to celebrate, analyse and challenge all aspects of the field for 13 days' worth of performances, demonstrations and workshops. Back for its third year, running from Tuesday, August 8 to Sunday, August 20, the whopping 172 registered events span venues across Sydney and delve deeper into the questions weighing on today's leading scientists.

The program begins with a free launch at the Powerhouse Museum for MAASive Lates: Science on August 10. The launch showcases a taste of what's to come during the festival, where guests get to tour the museum after hours, drive a Mars rover, play with virtual reality and 'speed date' famous scientists. If that Mars rover drive and the human colonisation of the planet catches your interest, join a panel of NASA experts at the Sydney Opera House on August 17 for Life on Mars: NASA's 2020 Rover Mission — speakers include Australian astrobiologist Dr Abigail Allwood and Mars Exploration Program scientist Dr Mitch Schulte.

Also on the schedule, on August 16 at the Opera House, the government's role in climate change will be debated in The Madhouse Effect: What is Stopping Action on Climate Change by an all-star international team including U.S. climatologist Michael E. Mann, psychologist Stephan Lewandowsky and advocate Anna Rose. And for a lighter look at science in our everyday life, learn how plants influence your favourite cocktails in Botany Distilled at the Botanical Gardens Restaurant on August 16, and discover how science can improve your baking skills at Science of Cake: A Hot Mess held by Alexandria's Thrive 360 on August 19.

The Sydney Science Festival is part of National Science Week, which runs from August 8 to August 20. The festival is led by the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS) and the Australian Museum, in partnership with Inspiring Australia.