Copy
Share Share
Tweet Tweet
Share Share
Forward Forward
Pin Pin

Your regular environmental news & updates


 
Bumper issue for National Science Week with over 25 events and activities at the Uni, the Botanic Gardens, Newcastle Museum and with Lake Mac STEAM Week.  Also B&B BioBlitz, Shiraz to Shore Cycle Trail and the first Sustainable Futures Festival. 

To get the whole newsletter we recommend you click on Continue reading enviroBYTES.  Email services such as Gmail and Telstra Webmail often truncate Newsletters, so to get the whole Newsletter read it in your browser.

Now you're caught up,
Alec Roberts 
View as Webpage

enviroBYTES Opportunity Calendar

August September October November  

B&B BioBlitz 2022


The B&B BioBlitz is calling on school citizen scientists to help gather information about Australia’s biodiversity and help threatened species.

Develop students’ STEM skills by signing your school up to the national school citizen science BioBlitz here...
Students will contribute important data and observations on threatened and local species to iNaturalist and the Atlas of Living Australia.
Involves a lunch-time or recess investigative activity in your school grounds in the first week of September – National Biodiversity Month. 

Register for the BioBlitz and instructional package here...

For more information...

Community Environment Grants now open


Community Environment Grants of up to $5000 are on offer for incorporated, not-for-profit community organisations in Lake Macquarie.

The funds could pay for sustainable projects which aim to improve biodiversity and local ecosystems, reduce our carbon footprint, educate the community through sustainable activities and much more.

Council will host an information webinar on Tuesday 23 August, 5-6pm. Register here...

Applications close Saturday 17 September, 5pm.

For more information...

Spark your curiosity and join us for a celebration of all things science and technology this National Science Week!
For more information...

Lake Mac STEAM Week

Lake Mac STEAM is a week-long program (13- 21 August 2022) of inspiring learning experiences that are centered around Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths that is held every year in conjunction with National Science Week.

The theme for National Science Week in 2022 is Glass: More than meets the eye. It is based on the UN International Year of Glass. It will celebrate the many roles that glass plays in our lives – from phone screens to optical fibre to glassware in labs – plus investigating glass as a part of our sustainable future. The uses for and intrinsic nature of glass in science make it a suitable topic for investigation across all strands of science education.

Byte Wise by Questacon - Thursday, 21 July 2022 | 05:00 PM to Sunday, 21 August 2022 | 01:00 PM, SEEN@Swansea
STEAM Week Storytime - Toronto Library, Thursday, 11 August 2022 | 11:00 AM to 11:45 AM
Coding basics with mini-robots - Wangi Library, Tuesday, 16 August 2022 | 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
STEAM Week Read and Rhyme Time - Morisset, Tuesday, 16 August 2022 | 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
STEAM Week Read and Rhyme Time - Toronto, Tuesday, 16 August 2022 | 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Coding basics with mini-robots - Cardiff, Tuesday, 16 August 2022 | 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Hot Potato Band School Concert - Science of Sound - Warners Bay Theatre
  • Wednesday, 17 August 2022 | 09:45 AM - 10:30 AM
  • Wednesday, 17 August 2022 | 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
  • Wednesday, 17 August 2022 | 01:15 PM - 02:00 PM
Lake Mac STEAM Week: A Life on our Planet by Sir David Attenborough  - Warners Bay Theatre, Thursday, 18 August 2022 | 10:30 AM to 01:00 PM
STEAM Week Storytime - Edgeworth Library, Thursday, 18 August 2022 | 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Professor Veena Sahajwalla - waste and circular economies - Warners Bay Theatre, Friday, 19 August 2022 | 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Lake Mac STEAM Week: A Flying Photon - Warners Bay Theatre, Friday, 19 August 2022 | 07:30 PM - 09:00 PM
Lake Mac STEAM Week - Full STEAM Saturday - Swansea Centre, Saturday, 20 August 2022 | 09:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Lake Mac STEAM Week - Full STEAM Sunday - Swansea Centre, Sunday, 21 August 2022 | 09:30 AM to 12:30 PM

For more information/Book your place click on the event links above.

‘Brain’ and ‘Biomes’
Exhibition

When: Saturday 13 August 10AM - Sunday 28 August 5PM
Where: Newcastle Museum, 6 Workshop Way, Newcastle
Cost: FREE


National Science Week

Intersections between Science and Art – Engaging communities


Explore how brain health changes through life, the emerging problem of eco-anxiety, and how our wellbeing is inextricably linked to our environmental footprint through two National Science Week events, ‘Brain’ and ‘Biomes’.
These interactive art science exhibitions showcase innovative collaborations with artists, technologists, industry and community, creating a genuine and continuing exchange of information with a broad audience. ‘Brain’ explores the impressive inner workings of our brains. ‘Biomes’ re-engages us with the wonders of the natural world. Together these exhibitions show how connected to our environment we really are.

The two exhibitions will be open to the public from 13 – 28 August at Newcastle Museum.

For more information...

To make a booking please email events@huntergardens.org.au or phone 4987 1655.

Celebration of Science Expo - Science in Practice

When: Monday 15 August 10AM - 3PM
Where: Brennan Room - University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan
Cost: FREE


National Science Week

Held in August each year, Science in Practice is hosted by the University of Newcastle, College of Engineering, Science and Environment to coincide with Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology, National Science Week.

There is something for everyone to explore - we encourage you to share the information with your networks and spread the love of science this National Science Week. 

FREE Events:


Science Expo

In celebration of science for National Science Week, the College of Engineering, Science and Environment are holding an expo involving Academics and groups from our College, and we invite you to join us!

Hosted in the Brennan Room, we will have a range of activities including;

  • SMART Science Shows
  • SMART Interactive Experiments
  • Lie Detection
  • NUbots Demonstrations
  • Drunk Goggles Testing
  • Physics Light Show
  • NU Teams Demonstrations
  • Glass Investigation
  • Visuo-Spatial Memory Challenge

The Wollotuka team will also be in attendance, so make sure you chat to them.


Book your place...

What’s in your Glass? Why your drink choices matter | Webinar with Dr Emma Beckett

When: Tuesday 16 August 6PM - 7PM
Where: ONLINE
Cost: FREE


National Science Week

Learn more about how your chosen liquids impact your diet and your body with Food and Nutrition Scientist Dr Emma Beckett.

It’s more than just packaging – glass is involved in food production and can even alter our perceptions with food.

Learn more about glass and food science with Dr Emma Beckett.

Book your place...

For more information...

Centre for Organic Electronics | Virtual Laboratory Tour

When: Wednesday 17 August 4PM - 5PM
Where: ONLINE
Cost: FREE

National Science Week

Join the University of Newcastle for a virtual tour of the pilot scale roll-to-roll (R2R) print facility at the Centre for Organic Electronics.

In this webinar we will give you a virtual tour of our laboratory where solar cells and sensors are printed using R2R equipment.

You’ll get to learn about the science and engineering behind these exciting technologies as well as hear about some of the projects our centre is working on, including supporting a Tesla drive around Australia in the next few months!

Book your place...

For more information...

Good Glass: The science of photography and visual perception | Webinar

When: Thursday 18 August 6PM - 7PM
Where: ONLINE
Cost: FREE

National Science Week

There is a saying in photography that a photograph is only as good as the glass on the front of the camera – with many professional photographers investing thousands of dollars in high quality lenses.

But of course, that is only a part of what the process is for making images. To really understand photography, we also must understand how our brain sees the world and how photography uses many of those same tricks.

Join Dr Stuart Marlin from the University of Newcastle for this webinar where the science of the mind and photography come together. Explore how our brain captures scenes in real time, enhances details, adjusts colour and contrast, and even joins together a set of images to build a wide representation of the space around you. Each of these steps will be illustrated with examples from photography.

Dr Stuart Marlin is an award-winning landscape, portrait, architecture, long exposure and travel photographer who is becoming known for his giant sky astrophotography.

Book your place...

For more information...

Conservation AND Development: Orangutan, Tiger, Invasive & Endangered Birds

When: Wednesday 17 August 6:30M - 8:30PM
Where: Newcastle Museum, 6 Workshop Way, Newcastle
Cost: FREE

National Science Week

Stealing from our children: how the current biodiversity crisis will deprive future generations of the joy of nature.

We discuss the ways in which the pact between generations has been broken, and how society urgently needs to rectify these relationships. In the absence of immediate action, future generations will be robbed of the experience of lions roaring, orangutans barking, koalas bellowing, starlings murmurating, butterflies migrating, glaciers calving once ice sheets melt, and the cool breeze over great, freshwater lakes. There is clear evidence that immersion in nature has positive health and well-being benefits to humans, and that there is a strong existence value among a large portion of humanity, deprived from knowing that wilderness and wildlife exist. Beyond the ecological imperative to act, we run the risk of denying future generations these benefits and inflicting immeasurable harm upon them unless we immediately address the biodiversity crisis.

Dr Andrea Griffin is a zoologist and researcher in animal behaviour. Her research interests lie in understanding how animals adjust behaviourally to changing environments and how knowledge of behaviour can be used to better manage and conserve species. Birds are a colourful and melodious part of our landscapes. Humans watch them, feed them, and rescue them, thereby gaining many psychological benefits. In this talk, I will share my passion and admiration for some of the bird species I have studied. First, I’ll touch on the remarkable athletic performance of migratory shorebirds and explain how and why it is so important that we identify and address the dramatic threats this group is experiencing, as we are doing here in the Ramsar-listed Hunter estuary. I’ll then turn to the invasive common myna. You will learn how this songbird can outsmart both our native species and human trappers and what we know about why the species continues to spread across the east coast of Australia. With these topics, I hope to foster a deep curiosity for how animals have evolved to meet the challenges their physical and social worlds throw at them. I hope my talk will help build public awareness that whether loved or loathed, we have a duty of care to ensure our wildlife is managed and protected using the best science-based practices our researchers have to offer.

Professor Matt Hayward leads the Conservation Science Research Group at the University of Newcastle and his research interests include the conservation ecology of threatened species, the factors that threaten them and the methods we can use to effectively conserve them. Matt has researched these conservation issues in Australia, South Africa and Poland on marsupials, rodents, reptiles, invertebrates, ungulates and large predators.

Emeritus Professor Tim Roberts has recently spent time in Indonesian Borneo and will be speaking on the effect of habitat loss on the survival of the proboscis monkey and the orangutan.

Book your place...

For more information...
Book here...
For more information...

A Flying Photon Science and Comedy Show

When: Friday 19 August 7:30PM - PM
Where: Warners Bay Theatre
Cost: $27/$30


Lake Mac STEAM Week

A Flying Photon: science and comedy collide in this award-winning show

Go on a glittering and whimsical journey to meet everyone’s favourite object in the universe, even if you haven’t heard of it: the tiny, tiny photon. Through humour, sequins and stars, uncover a bizarre piece of quantum mechanics that brings us both a sunset and the internet.
Science show meets fringe show in this amalgamated mess of comedy and quantum. There will be experiments, poetry, and a deep dive into some of the best features in the cosmos, including our wonderfully radiating selves.

This is science that sparkles on all levels – from the heliosphere to our own lithosphere – that will have you celebrating colours of light you’ve never seen.

Just be ready for all the puns. This is enlightening light entertainment after all!

This show won the Adelaide Fringe Festival’s Science at the Fringe Award.

Book your place...

National Science Week celebration with Dr Karl (In Person Attendance)

When: Saturday 20 August 6PM - 8:45PM
Where: Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, Auckland Street, Newcastle, NSW
Cost: FREE


National Science Week


A fascinating evening celebrating National Science Week with Dr Karl Kruszelnicki!

Join us for a fascinating evening celebrating National Science Week with the one and only Dr Karl from University of Sydney on Saturday 20 August, as we explore the wonderful world of science as well as answer any of your curly science questions – as we solve the mysteries of the world, with science.

Dr Karl will talk about what it is he loves about science, including how anyone can be a scientist (even in their own backyard!). Hear about Dr Karl’s own science journey that has taken him from presenting on ABC’s Double J in 1981 to an Ig Nobel prize winner for his ground-breaking research into Belly Button Lint and to being named as a National Living Treasure in 2012.

Dr Karl’s mission is to spread the good word about science and its benefits and his enthusiasm for science is totally infectious. This National Science Week Celebration presents a wonderful and unique opportunity for science lovers to learn from one of Australia’s best scientific minds.

Book your place...

For more information...
 

Hunter Science Festival

When: Sunday 21 August 10AM - 4PM
Where: Newcastle Museum, 6 Workshop Way, Newcastle
Cost: FREE


National Science Week


Demonstrations of the diverse activities of the members of the Hunter Innovation & Science Hub

The Science Festival is BACK at Newcastle Museum! Join us for a day of free science fun!
  • Build and race a solar car with Hunter Valley Electric Vehicles;
  • Make “poo” with world-class HMRI gut researchers and find out how food is turned into poo;
  • Climb into a Council garbage truck and talk to the driver;
  • Win prizes at fun family science trivia competitions; and
  • Explore interactive science tables from all the Hunter Science Hub members!
Free event, no bookings required

For more information...

HMRI’s Poo Palace

When: Sunday 21 August 10AM - 4PM
Where: Newcastle Museum, 6 Workshop Way, Newcastle
Cost: FREE

National Science Week

The Poo Palace is a giant inflatable with tunnels and slides that re-creates the human digestive system. Children and adults will be able to experience the journey food takes along the digestive tract.

The Poo Palace journey starts with children entering a ‘giant mouth’. Next they slide through a tunnel representing the oesophagus and into the stomach, where they can play in a ball pen that represents stomach with enzymes and acids. Next they squeeze through a tunnel that represents the small intestine, leading to the large intestine, which is another tunnel where they can jump and walk along the ribbed floors and walls. Finally, at the end of the large intestine they squeeze out through the bum and press a button that represents a bowel movement. Once out of the bum, children land softly on a toilet.

Outside the inflatable HMRI will be there with experiments and exhibits to accompany the Palace, that showcase various elements of science in practice:
  • mashing food (banana and bread) with water (mimicking saliva) to simulate the chewing process;
  • making Play dough re-creations of poo, with comparison to the Bristol Stool Chart; and
  • observing bacteria and colon tissue under microscopes.
The Poo Palace aims to inspire children to be curious about their bodies and instill an early interest in science. Children will learn about the gastrointestinal system, a healthy diet and gut disorders. While engaging in hands-on experiments, children will gain scientific knowledge, boost their confidence to discuss findings, and provide them with access to both science and scientists to foster their interests.

For more information...

Join the dots - Clean Tech

When: Thursday 25 August 5pm - 7pm
Where: I2N Hub Honeysuckle, 16 Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle
Cost: FREE

Your chance to meet some of Newcastle's most dynamic founders, researchers and supporters in the Cleantech space
Join like-minded creative business people, innovators, researchers and entrepreneurs to stay informed and connected.

For August's Join the Dots, come along to the I2N Hub Honeysuckle and hear a selection of dynamic founders, researchers and supporters within the Cleantech space.

If you're in the Cleantech industry or are interested in hearing what is happening in the ecosystem, come along to Join the Dots.

In person, at the Hub, presentations followed by networking to help attendees join the dots for potential collaboration.

Book your place/For more information...

Climate Change Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) Package for Councils

Hunter Joint Org have developed the Climate Change IP&R package to help Councils incorporate climate change into their long term strategic direction and to embed climate change as business as usual through their IP&R process.

This package provides support and guidance to Councils during the development of their Community Strategic Plans, Delivery Program and Operational Plan. It supports Councils’ and their communities’ climate change journey by providing user friendly, practical tools and templates to embed climate change throughout the IP&R process. 
The Climate Change IP&R Package includes:
  • Climate change commitment level framework– Commitment levels allow Councils to establish a vision and identity for their climate change journey. The three levels established provide typical (but not binding) narratives, which are based on the individual Councils’ resources available, risk and opportunity level for the particular Local Government Area (LGA), and their communities’ values. The concept supports the discussions within Councils when setting the scene for their IP&R cycle
  • IP&R templates– These provide template wording for strategic priority statements, delivery program objectives and operational plan examples of initiatives and actions for each commitment level, in line with relevant guidelines and best practice principles; and
  • Communication and engagement package– This package provides process support, factsheets, template Council papers and presentations.

Download the IP&R package/For more information...

Shiraz to Shore Cycle Trail


Capitalising on existing cycling infrastructure such as Fernleigh Track and Wallsend to Glendale Rail Trail, and planned cycleways such as the Richmond Vale Rail Trail, the Shiraz to Shore Cycle Trail would extend and connect these into over 100km of cycle trails linking the "picturesque wine country to the spectacular coastal beaches and lakes".  The proposed project is focused on cycle tourism in the region.

Hunter Joint Org suggests a staged approach to the development of the cycle trail with an estimated total cost of $72m and notes "a unique opportunity exists to link existing and planned cycleway infrastructure, local businesses and points of interest across all council areas; to create an integrated region wide network."

To download the Shiraz to Shore document / For more information...

New Sustainable Neighbourhood get-togethers


Sugar Valley Sustainable Neighbourhood Gathering

When: Saturday 27 August, 11am-1pm (after Lake Mac Grows Crop Swap event)
Where: Holmesville Community Garden, 16 George Street, Holmesville
Cost: FREE
Bookings Essential: here...


Belmont Area Sustainable Neighbourhood Gathering

When: Saturday 3 September, 2-4pm
Where: Belmont Library, ngarrabangba, 19 Ernest Street, Belmont
Cost: FREE
Bookings Essential: here...

Enjoy a get-together with your neighbours for the first gathering of your new Sustainable Neighbourhood group.
  • Learn about the Sustainable Neighbourhoods program.
  • Discuss the vision and values that will guide your Sustainable Neighbourhood group.
  • Prioritise community projects you’d like to help deliver in your neighbourhood.
  • Meet your neighbours and enjoy a delicious lunch/afternoon tea.

Repair Cafe Lake Mac

When: Sunday 28 August, 10AM - 12:45PM
Where: Warners Bay Theatre
Cost: FREE
Do you have any clothing, textiles, toys, carpentry, small furniture, electrical items or tool sharpening in need of repair?
Join us for another awesome morning of repairing on Sunday 28 August so we can help you mend them, or simply pop in for a chat and a cuppa.

Lake Mac Repair Cafe is a place to socialise, learn new skills and give your broken things a new lease on life.

Free Tea/coffee and light refreshments are provided.

For more information...

For more information... Book your place...

Sustainable Futures Festival

When: Sunday 11 September 10AM - 4PM
Where: St Phillip's Christian College, 182 Salamander Way, Salamander Bay
Cost: FREE

Join us at EcoNetwork Port Stephens inaugural Sustainable Futures Festival ecops.au/sff. Be inspired by environmental innovation, sustainable living and the wonderful ways in which nature enriches our lives.
There’s plenty to engage all interests and ages. From family and kid’s activities, street theatre, face painting and more, to workshops on healthy homes and retrofitting sustainably, to speakers like the engaging NSW Australian of the Year Professor Veena Sahajwalla on reimagining waste.
More information about the festival at ecops.au/sff and our fantastic speaker and workshop program is also linked. Watch out for the talks, demonstrations, activities and children's program yet to be announced.
This event is proudly sponsored by Port Stephens Council, Hunter Water, Hunter Region Landcare Network via NSW Local Land Service through funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program, Salamander Bay Recycling, and supported by local businesses and community groups.

For more information...

Living Smart Festival

When: Friday 23 - Sunday 25 September
Where: Speers Point Park
Cost: FREE

The Living Smart Festival is set to make a rousing return in 2022 after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, with a weekend of celebrations on the shores of Lake Macquarie.

Spread across the weekend of September 23-25, this year's festival will feature three distinct events:
  • A Friday night Feast for the Senses dinner under the stars, utilising Speers Point Park's MAP mima (Multi Arts Pavilion) and featuring a seasonal, sustainably sourced menu
  • Living Smart Festival - a free Saturday line-up of workshops, demonstrations, market stalls and presentations by some of Australia's most prominent and innovative personalities in the field of sustainability, including gardening guru Costa Georgiadis
  • Living Together Festival - a new multicultural festival on Sunday featuring free multicultural workshops, demonstrations, market stalls and activities.

For more information...
For more information... Register your workshop here... 

Greening our City Competition

Calling all local green thumbs 📣🪴  It’s time to spruce up your neighbourhood with City of Newcastle's new ‘Green Our City’ competition!

Green Our City will be running until December, encouraging residents to take part in the Street Gardens program, offering the opportunity to plan and install street gardens in your neighbourhood. As well as being able to lay claim to having the best new street garden in Newcastle, the winner of Green Our City will also receive $500 to spend at a local nursery of their choice! 🌳
To get involved, visit www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/streetgardens and submit a Street Gardens registration form.
Registration closes Monday 23 August.

Register/For more information...
15/08/2022
School of Environmental and Life Sciences
Ph: +61 (0)2 4921 7037 | Email
CRICOS Provide 00109J
STAY CONNECTED
Facebook
Twitter
Link
YouTube
Website
Email

Subscribe to enviroBYTES (this Newsletter)
Copyright © 2022 Hunter Innovation and Science Hub, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp