Where Science Gets Sexy
Newcastle Herald
Friday August 15, 2008
EVER held a secret ambition to speed date a scientist? Well, the CSIRO's energy centre open day at Steel River, Mayfield, tomorrow provides the perfect opportunity.
Some of Australia's brightest scientific minds will be available to be quizzed over a sausage sizzle on topics ranging from solar energy to computer programming.On a practical level, visitors will be able to have a go at building a catapult from paddle pop sticks, rubber bands and sticky tape as part of the science and engineering super challenge.There will also be a full program of science shows, seminars and site tours of the centre's solar field and laboratories."We want visitors to have a bit of fun and at the same time learn about the work we are doing to help stop climate change," spokeswoman Keirissa Lawson said.The centre's 90 scientific and technical staff conduct research into low emission energy generation.Current projects include research into reducing greenhouse gas emissions in electricity generation, the storage of carbon dioxide in coal seams and saline aquifers, and alternative energy generation technologies.
© 2008 Newcastle Herald