Media Release
12 February 2016
Lights, camera... science!
Without science and technology, modern movies would simply not exist.
A big statement - until you consider the stunts, audio and visual special effects that make
today’s movies so impressive.
This year, communities in the Northern Territory will have the chance to find out for
themselves just how much movies are dependant on science and technology when The
Science of Entertainment from the University of Newcastle’s SMART program visits the Top
End.
The Science of Entertainment is a contemporary interactive multimedia science show
looking at the science behind modern entertainment.
This highly engaging, entertaining and thought-provoking project will visit remote Arnhem
Land communities in the Northern Territory in August, thanks to a National Science Week
Australian Government grant.
The Director of SMART program says that Australia can be rightly proud of its movie
heritage.
“Australia is at the forefront of movie technology and we should be proud of what is
accomplished here.”
“Apart from the excellent movies produced in Australia, many overseas studios use the
technology and talent in Australia to help make their movies, for example most of the special
effects in the famous movie The Matrix were done in Australia.
“The Science of Entertainment is a unique way to connect with Australians and demonstrate
to them the science behind the movies they are watching.
“We want to engage the whole community and challenge the audience to look for science
everywhere around them.”
The interactive science show is aimed at school students and their parents, with events
being conducted at schools and community meeting places.
The Science of Entertainment has been developed by the University of Newcastle NSW and
is touring the NT in partnership with Engineers Australia (NT) and the Arnhem Land
Progress Association (ALPA).
The program is one of 40 National Science Week events throughout Australia selected for
Australian Government support in 2016.
This year, there was tough competition for these grants, with over 110 applications vying for
the Australia Government’s $500 000 funding for National Science Week.
Other Northern Territory grants recipients included the Top End Science Fair, being run by
CSIRO, Bush Food of Arnhem Land, presented by the Maningrida Community Education
Centre, and The First Astronomers, an interactive event presented by the Darwin Festival.
Now entering its seventeenth year, National Science Week has well and truly cemented itself
as Australia’s largest festival, with last year’s calendar offering over 1700 events throughout
Australia, reaching an audience of over a million.
In 2016, National Science Week events are expected to be held right throughout Australia
from Dubbo, Davenport, Darwin and everywhere in between, offering an array of activities
with everything from science festivals, music and comedy shows, interactive hands-on
displays, open days and online activities.
A grants round for events and activities within schools will be held in March 2016 and details
are available by contacting the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA) National
Science Week Project Officer on 02 6282 9377, emailing nscwkf@asta.edu.au or visiting
The Australian Science Teachers Association website www.asta.edu.au.
National Science Week 2016 will run from 13-21 August.
ENDS
For further information please contact Amy Worth on (07) 5555 1234, 0444 123 456 or
amy@somewhere.com