The Sydney Science Festival goes west

Thursday, 2 August 2018

Did you know there are more trees on Earth than stars in our galaxy? Or that oxygen is a pale blue in its liquid state, and that it’s impossible to burp in space?

Did you know there are more trees on Earth than stars in our galaxy? Or that oxygen is a pale blue in its liquid state, and that it's impossible to burp in space?

Explore the weird and wonderful world of science at Penrith Library and the Joan during the Sydney Science Festival.

To celebrate the Festival and National Science Week, we're hosting three events during August that are out of this world.

On Wednesday 15 August the Joan is hosting Dr Karl Kruszelnicki and his famously loud shirts for his 'Karl, the Universe and Everything' talk, as well as a free hands-on science exhibition. There'll be food and drinks available from the Borland Foyer bar and the Bean & Bun Food truck will be set up outside.

The exhibition is free, and includes film screenings, music performance of DNA sequences; and interactive installations throughout the Joan, which allow you to get up close and personal with science.

Unfortunately, tickets for Dr Karl's talk are sold out, but the exhibition is open to everyone and you can still get your Dr Karl fix as he'll be signing books and chatting to the crowd from 7.30pm, as part of the exhibition.

On Thursday 16 August, Penrith Library is hosting a free event, 'The Hidden World in your Gut' with microbiologist Alison Luk. Alison loves bacteria and wants to tell you all about how you can keep your gut microbes healthy by eating the right types of food, and how your microbes return the favour by making you healthier.

Penrith Mayor Cr John Thain said it was exciting to have these science events come to Penrith.

"We're celebrating the Sydney Science Festival, and National Science week, which are both about bringing science to life and sparking people's curiosity", Cr Thain said.

"Dr Karl's talk sold out in record time, proving that the people of Penrith have an incredible appetite for science, innovation and exploration. That's who we are as a community and as a City," he said.

"The event at the Joan will be very hands on, and includes award winning short films, a musical performance of DNA sequences, and interesting objects to interact with.

"And there may be an opportunity to get some last minute tickets at the door for Dr Karl's talk. But for those who can't, he will still be there signing books and chatting to people afterwards," Cr Thain continued.

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Thursday, 2 August 2018.