Inspiring the ACT

16/10/2026

🦤It's that time of year again!

The Aussie Bird Count, run by BirdLife Australia, is Australia's largest citizen science project. There are two main steps to getting involved:

🐦‍⬛ Register an account
🦉 Record birds in a 20-minute window next week.

What birds do you recognise? Maybe you will see more than you counted on!

How to register for the Aussie Bird Count including step-by-step instructions.

08/10/2026

🪨 ⚡ It's Earth Science Week!
(starting from this weekend and all next week, but check out events and book in now so that you don't miss out)

Earth Science is not just about rocks in the landscape, it uncovers the mysteries of minerals that are used to power all of our everyday technology. That means it is hugely important to enabling all of us to lead sustainable and productive lives.

Want to learn more? Head to the Geoscience Australia page for activities and events. There are a whole lot of virtual events to check out too. You can learn about mineralogy from all over the country.

https://www.ga.gov.au/about/earth-science-week

Geoscience Australia

08/10/2026

Applications are open for the AMSI Specialist Maths Highschool Scholarships for Girls.

The AMSI Specialist Maths High School Scholarships for Girls 2027/28 is open to current year 10 girls Australia-wide, who intend to study Specialist Maths, or accepted equivalent in NSW and Tasmania in year 11 in 2027 and year 12 in 2028.

Scholarship recipients will have access to support from the AMSI maths teaching specialists, the opportunity to attend AMSI programs, meet current university maths students and industry partners – to be inspired by all that continuing to study maths has to offer. You can read about previous recipients here:

https://amsi.org.au/amsi-foundation/amsi-maths-scholarships/amsi-yuille-umbers-specialist-maths-high-school-scholars/

Scholarships are for two-years, valued at $3000 per year, and awarded in our donor names. In 2027/28 we have De Vere-Hudson and Jane Street Scholarships.

Scholarship applications close 23 October.
Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute

06/10/2026

Daylight savings and Spring are here! That means it's a great time to get out and hear the frog chorus in local nature reserves. Some might even be fortunate to have frogs set up home in their own garden. DYK there is a guide for this?

FrogWatch ACT under the Ginninderra Catchment Group and supported by ACT Government put together a helpful guide to setting up your own frog pond or frog bog (or both!).

"FrogTober" is also currently underway, with over 200 sites across the ACT being surveyed as part of the annual frog census.

https://ginninderralandcare.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/FrogWatch-Frogs-in-your-garden-habitat-guide-2025.pdf

28/08/2026

We interviewed local science communicators at our National Science Week launch event this August. Check out what they had to say in this series of short video posts.

Dr. Anthony Willis is the Executive Director at the Australian Council of Deans of Science. He couldn't have said it better 'science is fundamental to everything that happens in Australian society". For those that choose to study science at University, many are drawn to the 'problem solving' aspect that makes science so rewarding. Dr. Willis points out that science communication is critical to bring along others and explain which problems science is solving and how the outcomes benefit us all.

Many thanks to the whole team at the Agrifood Innovation Institute for hosting such a vibrant event for National Science Week and particularly to Thomas Davis for capturing and editing these videos.

27/08/2026

We interviewed local science communicators at our National Science Week launch event this August. Check out what they had to say in this series of short video posts.

Will Howard was, until recently, the lead Scientist at the Climate Change Authority. Science concepts and data sit behind many important government policies and strategic directions . In Canberra we are fortunate to have many credentialed scientists working in strategic policy areas. Now that Will has more time available he can continue to innovate in important areas such as carbon removal. Widespread adoption of such innovations will involve effective science communication among peers and other stakeholders. It's fascinating to think about the many modes of science communication, both internally and to external audiences.

Many thanks to the whole team at the Agrifood Innovation Institute for hosting such a vibrant event for National Science Week and particularly to Thomas Davis for capturing and editing these videos. More to come in posts over the next few days!

26/08/2026

We interviewed local science communicators at our National Science Week launch event this August. Check out what they had to say in this series of short video posts.

Meet Jasmine Fellows, an expert science communicator and science journalist at the ANU Centre for the Public Awareness of Science CPAS and Refraction Media. Thank you Jasmine for highlighting the importance of trustworthy science journalism, and congratulations on being named a finalist in the 2026 ACT Women’s Awards! Read all about Jasmine's work in the recent HerCanberra piece:
https://hercanberra.com.au/life/people/act-womens-awards-2026-jasmine-fellows/

Many thanks to the whole team at the Agrifood Innovation Institute for hosting such a vibrant event for National Science Week and particularly to Thomas Davis for capturing and editing these videos. More to come in posts over the next few days!

25/08/2026

We interviewed local science communicators at our National Science Week launch event this August. Check out what they had to say in this series of short video posts.

Masoud Varjavandi runs SFC Films (Space Faring Civilisation Films) and is a big fan of 'hopeful imagining', using art and film to prompt audiences to think about the possibilities that science brings to life.
Did you catch Masoud's film festival on the weekend? If so, let us know what you thought in the comments below.

Many thanks to the whole team at the Agrifood Innovation Institute for hosting such a vibrant event for National Science Week and particularly to Thomas Davis for capturing and editing these videos. More to come in posts over the next few days!

24/08/2026

We interviewed local science communicators at our National Science Week launch event this August. Check out what they had to say in this series of short video posts.

Thank you to Professor Jason Sharples at UNSW Canberra for serving as the 2026 ACT National Science Week Ambassador. Professor Sharples' work helps us understand bushfires better and protect against harms and damage arising from these natural disasters. Professor Sharples highlighted how science communication can help protect us against misinformation and contribute to better decision making in light of such important issues.

Learn more about Professor Sharples work here: https://www.unsw.edu.au/staff/jason-sharples

Many thanks to the whole team at the Agrifood Innovation Institute for hosting such a vibrant event for National Science Week and particularly to Thomas Davis for capturing and editing these videos. More to come in posts over the next few days!

21/08/2026

Learn all about reptiles at Cooleman Court Shopping Centre today!

Peter is Canberra’s local reptile expert. He runs beloved local institution, the Canberra Reptile Zoo and he is extremely knowledgeable on local reptiles as well as more exotic ones.

Peter and his team are bringing the reptiles to YOU just for National Science Week! If you can’t make it to Cooleman today you can find them at the Canberra Centre tomorrow.