June 21, 2010 12:00pm by David Farrar

Scifest

For those who don’t know, Dunedin will be hosting the NZ International Science Festival from 6 – 11 July:

Tickets are on sale now for the seventh New Zealand International Science Festival and can be purchased online at www.scifest.org.nz or by phoning 0800 SCIFEST.

  • Visiting experts attending the festival are Tom McFadden, a ‘science rapper’ and biologist from Stanford (USA); Tim Jarvis AM, a British Antarctic adventurer and environmental scientist; Mr Andrew Greensmith, a University of Otago graduate and specialist plastic surgeon based in Melbourne; NZ chef and author Julie Biuso and Julie Woods, known as ‘that blind woman’, who are teaming up to deliver an extraordinary ‘dining in the dark’ experience.
  • This year the festival is taking place in Dunedin over six days from 6 July – 11 July, 2010, and the theme is Everyday Science: Food for Thought.  In addition to the visiting experts, the festival involves many local organisations, volunteers, institutions, external event organisers, and a range of local and national sponsors and funders.
  • Planned events will explore the following topics: the future of our global water supply and the balance between the economy and our environment; medical advances in paediatric plastic surgery; an ‘on the edge –inspirational women in science breakfast’; why we are what we eat; greenhouse gas – no laughing matter; vitamin D deficiency – is it a concern? The festival will also host the world premiere of the recent University of Otago Medical School documentary, Donated to Science.
  • There are over 200 dynamic interactive events to interest all ages and open up the world of science to everyone.  The festival programme includes talks, films, debates and a live cabaret show, Dante’s Laboratory – Science of Sin – not to be missed. The ever-popular University of Otago Expo will take place on Friday 9 and Saturday 10 July.

I’m going to down in Dunedin for four days of the festival, and blogging about it. I wish I could spare the time for the entire week, as there look to be so many great things to go to. Some of the ones I plan to attend are:

  • When Yes Means No! How females control male reproductive success
  • Cadbury World Sensory Tour
  • The Science of Wine Making
  • On The Wild Side – Cruise with Monarch
  • Science as Art Photo Exhibition
  • Ancient Aztec Hot Chocolate Ceremony
  • The End of the Line – Sustainable Fishing Documentary
  • Dante’s Laboratory; The Science of Sin
  • On The Edge – Inspirational Women in Science
  • Exploring the South Pole
  • Café Sci – Walking the Tightrope; Balancing Our Economy and the Environment
  • Dining In the Dark Experience

Being in Dunedin is fun enough by itself. With all this stuff to go to, it will be even better.