Media releases

National Science Week will off with a lively Café Scientifique featuring Federation University Australia academics at the Art Gallery of Ballarat on Saturday evening, 11 August.

Worm Parasitologist David Piedrafita and Sarah Bean, a Veterinary Nurse, both from Federation University Australia; and Drew Berry, a Biomedical Animator from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, will present an evening of discussion, debate, art and science with wonderful animations and strange-but-true parasite stories.

North Queensland artist Bernard Lee Singleton’s magnificent painting, Gula Guri mayin (which means ‘Heal the body’), and animation by Russell Milledge (James Cook University) and Tai Inoue, also will feature during National Science Week and explore themes of parasites and health.

Café Scientifique: Parasites – Painting A New Image will be held on Saturday, 11 August, 5pm – 6.30pm, at the Art Gallery of Ballarat, 40 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat.

The Art Gallery of Ballarat will host innovative activities, discussions and displays about parasites, art and science featuring Federation University Australia academics throughout National Science Week.

There will be free hands-on science activities, public talks and discussions at the Art Gallery of Ballarat from Saturday 11 – Sunday 19 August.

“Aspiring movie directors can create and film a short movie about any science topic they like in the ‘Science Movie Making’ workshops,” Stephanie Davison, the University’s STEM Outreach Coordinator, said.

“Potential young authors can develop parasitology plots in ‘Nelly and Ned the nematodes’ story writing workshops. There also will be a Scoop the Poop science class.”

Public and school events are planned across National Science Week at the Art Gallery of Ballarat suitable for children, teens and adults.

"We want to enable audiences to get under the skin of Australia’s parasitologists by engaging scientists and the general public in discussions about parasites and how they fit in with our lives,” Dr Sarah Preston, Lecturer in Veterinary and Wildlife Science at FedUni, said.

“Parasites are fascinating, there is a gross-out factor that both repels and intrigues people to want to know more.”

This Inspiring Australia event is supported by the Federal Government as part of National Science Week and presented by Federation University Australia, the Art Gallery of Ballarat and the Australian Society for Parasitology.

National Science Week 2018 will run from 11-19 August. Event details can be found at www.scienceweek.net.au

The event program is at https://artgalleryofballarat.com.au/gallery_events/parasite-paradise-for-national-science-week/

Event bookings can be made at:

https://artgalleryofballarat.com.au/gallery_events/parasite-paradise-for-national-science-week/