Workshop of the Week: Kitchen Chemistry If all this talk of eggas has got you feeling hungry, check out our ‘Kitchen Chemistry’ workshop – a fun food workshop challenging you to think about everyday food in a whole new way. Experiment with a variety of food-related chemicals, and you even get to take home a bag of sweet, tongue tingling sherbet! This workshop is suitable for Foundation to Level 2 students, and is available in a 60 or 90 minute format. We recommend a 90 minute format if budget and timetabling constraints allow. Each workshop can cater to a [...]

Congratulations to Owen Wilson from Oran Park in NSW! Owen correctly stated that 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered in water. Owen, a terrific prize pack of a salt water spider bot, a pack of growing beads  (just add water and watch them grow) and a pack of super water absorber  (otherwise known as ‘nappy powder’ or ‘fake snow’) is on its way to you. Remember that our ‘Spider fun fact’ competition is still running – entries close Thursday 29th March.

Try making a rubbery, bouncy egg over the Easter break. All you need to do is hard boil an egg, and soak it in vinegar (shell and all) for a couple of days. The vinegar slowly dissolves the calcium carbonate shell (one of the products of this chemical reaction is carbon dioxide, which is why bubbles of gas can be seen forming). Rubber Egg Experiment

Spring rains in southern Cuba mark the beginning of one of nature’s mass migrations: millions of yellow, black and red female land crabs, skitter-scattering across roads and beaches to deposit their fertilized eggs in the waters of the Bay of Pigs. Mating occurs in burrows in a nearby swamp, however, once the eggs are fertilized they must hatch in the sea. Having deposited their precious cargo, the mother crabs turn around and head for home, risking being snapped up or squashed by local Cuban crocodiles, black hawks, or locals of the human variety driving along the same road. Despite all [...]

Sophie was born in the UK and holds an Honours degree in Applied Environmental Science from the University of London. Her first job was on a tiny island called Flat Holm. There she had to brave dive bombing gulls as she inspected their nests, look out for wild goats, herd and shear sheep, lead tours and teach students on excursions. In other jobs Sophie has built steps, fences, gates, paths, dry stone walls and boardwalks. She has her chainsaw licence and has planted hundreds of trees and wildflowers. Of her work at Mad About Science, Sophie says: ‘I love presenting workshops [...]

FameLab is the worlds leading science communication competition. Young scientists from all fields of research are invited to enter. They must explain a concept from their research in just three minutes, using just themselves and maybe a prop or two. Jargon and Powerpoint are banned! Members of the public are invited to attend the semi-finals, which are free events, held at the following locations from 6pm-8:30pm: Melbourne: Melbourne Museum, Carlton, Wednesday 28th March Sydney: Powerhouse Museum, Ultimo, Wednesday 11th April Brisbane: Queensland Museum, Southbank, Tuesday 20th March Perth: Maritime Museum, Fremantle, Wednesday 18th April More Information

The title of World’s Largest Spider goes to the male goliath bird-eating spider of South America. It has a record leg-span of 28 cm (11 in) – big enough cover a dinner plate. It is found in the coastal rainforests of Surinam, Guyana and French Guiana. If you like finding out lots of ‘biggest’ and ‘scariest’ facts, make sure you enter our competition to win a copy of Guinness World Records: Science and Stuff.

Did you know that the Melbourne Museum, the Queensland Museum, the South Australian Museum and the Australian Museum (in Sydney) all take and respond to inquiries from members of the public who would like help in identifying a plant or animal they have found? So, if you, or members of your family (or class) have discovered an interesting bug, or plant, or even a bird or fish, and you would like to know what it is called – take a photo and contact your local museum. Your question will go through to an scientist who will help you work out [...]

Spiders are truly one of nature’s great artists. They produce silk that they use to catch bugs, usually by spinning a beautiful web. In this activity, be a spider scientist and capture and preserve a delicate spiderweb to study. Head outside, in the backyard, school ground or nature trail in search of an unoccupied spider web. Look carefully in tall grass and bushes. Once you have found an empty web, sprinkle talcum powder all over it. The powder will stick to the silk, making it easier to see. Spray hair spray on a piece of black construction paper. While the [...]

Spiderman had a ‘spidey sense’. We mere mortals have just five, but they are given a workout in this engaging session. They are tested, tricked and more. Get ready for a sensory overload! This workshop is for Foundation to Year 2 students, and is available in a 60 or 90 minute format. We recommend a 90 minute format if budget and timetabling constraints allow. Each workshop can cater to a maximum of 30 children, however, smaller groups have better access to equipment and the facilitator.