Shell Questacon Science Circus

The Shell Questacon Science Circus is an outreach program of Questacon — the National Science and Technology Centre in Canberra, Australia and is the most extensive science outreach program of its kind in the world. Each year, the circus sees over 100 000 people, travels 25 000 kilometers, runs professional development courses for 600 teachers and visits about 30 remote aboriginal communities as well as hospitals, nursing homes and special schools.

The circus is a partnership between Questacon, the Shell Oil Company Australia and the Australian National University. It was recently awarded the Australian Financial Review Magazine Corporate Partnership Award.

The Circus tours around regional Australia for 18-20 weeks each year. Sixteen science graduates staff the Circus as it travels, bringing lively presentations of science to towns and schools. The Science Circus also supports the teaching of science and technology by running practical and fun professional development workshops for teachers.

2007 Tours

In 2007, the circus will make the following tours:

NSW Riverina: February - March

Young Tues 27 February
West Wyalong Wed 28 February
Cowra Fri 2 March
Narrandera Mon 5 March
Griffith Wed 7 March
Wagga Wagga Fri 9 & Sat 10 March
Albury Sat 17 & Sun 18 March

Central Queensland: May

Ayr Tues 1 May
Bowen Fri 4 May
Airlie Beach Sun 6 May
Moranbah Tues 8 May
Emerald Fri 11 May
Yeppoon Tues 15 May
Rockhampton Fri 18 & Sat 9 May
Mackay Sat 26 May

East Kimberley and the Top End: August - September

Wyndham Mon 27 August
Kununurra Tues 28 August
Timber Creek Thurs 30 August
Katherine Wed 5 or Thurs 6 September
Palmerston Thurs 13 September
Darwin Fri 21 & Sat 22 September

Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas and Central South Australia: October - November

Port Pirie Tues 16 October
Port Augusta Sat 20 October
Coober Pedy Tues 23 October
Roxby Downs Thurs 25 October
Ceduna Mon 5 November
Whyalla Tues 6 or Wed 7 November
Port Lincoln Sat 3 November (TBC)
Kadina Sat 10 November

Study

Each graduate completes a Graduate Diploma of Science Communication through the Centre for the Public Awareness of Science at the Australian National University during the year. Coursework includes studies in print and the electronic media, science and society and an applied project. Students also participate in industry work placements through the year.

Graduates

The first group of ten graduates were accepted in 1988. In 1993, the number was increased to 12. There are currently over 200 Science Circus graduates.

A number of graduates contribute to the Diffusion Science Radio Show, as well as running the Science Talk Australia and Mr Science Show radio and podcast productions.