Introduction
Questacon ScienceLines focuses on engaging Indigenous Australians with science and technology, specially developing programs with and for Indigenous students, their teachers and community members who may have no other opportunity to do science the Questacon way!
ScienceLines presenters travel to events, schools and communities in regional, rural and very remote areas of Australia to deliver these programs which cover a broad range of science and technology topics in a variety of formats (eg. workshops, shows, presentations) - always in a fun, interactive and hands-on manner.
Our Indigenous Outreach Programs aim to excite Indigenous students about science and technology, inspire their interest in these areas of study and introduce students to possible science and technology career options.
Working With Communities
Presenters visiting remote communities receive training in cross-cultural awareness and cross-cultural communication. They are sensitive to the different Indigenous cultures they encounter in their travels and the programs they deliver are designed to accommodate students whose first language is not English.
Questacon has also worked closely with Indigenous groups to facilitate the sharing of some Indigenous Australian science with the world, through the physical Burarra Gathering exhibition, Burarra Gathering Online and Together Online.
Questacon highly values the positive working relationships we have formed with many Indigenous communities around the country and we hope to continue strengthening opportunities for the cross-cultural sharing of science.
Program Details
To learn about Questacon ScienceLines’ programs, follow the links below:
Indigenous Festival
Questacon has been involved with the national Indigenous Festival (intially the Croc Festival and now Vibe Alive) since 2003, and participates in the full national tour. More info.
Shell Questacon Science Circus Indigenous Tour
Every year, the Shell Questacon Science Circus takes science workshops to remote Indigenous communities. Its astounding how much science can be taught using cardboard, sticky tape and a pinch of creativity! More info.
Together Online
Throughout 2006, Questacon ScienceLines: Indigenous Outreach assisted four communities across Australia to develop websites. More info.
Akaltye
Akaltye (pronounced ‘aculcha’) is an annual event for 25-30 Indigenous secondary school students to come together for a week of science and technology workshops and learning. More info.
Specialised Programs
Questacon is always looking for opportunities to contribute to remote communities and in 2004 we were able to send three presenters into Queensland’s Gulf country for a special tour. More info.
Questacon ScienceLines also attended a camp for gifted and talented Koori secondary students held on Phillip Island in 2006. More info.
Corporate Activities
The Questacon ScienceLines team not only develops and delivers science and technology Outreach Programs for remote and regional areas, but they are also involved in a range of corporate activities within Questacon and around the country. More info.
Burarra Gathering - Sharing Indigenous Knowledge
Danaja and Wala Wala live in Arnhem Land in northern Australia . Visit them and learn all about their land, language and traditional technologies. Visit Danaja now!
Contact Details
To find out more about Questacon’s Indigenous Outreach Programs, contact Allen Rooney by phone on 02 6270 2857 or e-mail.