Science isn’t just for Scientists
Well known US physicist Professor Lawrence Krauss presented his talk, Cosmic Connections, for the special BrisScience celebration of the 2014 National Science Week at the State Library of Queensland.
National Science Week is an annual celebration of science around Australia and involves many activities and events run throughout the community to promote engagement in science.
The monthly public science seminar, BrisScience, hosted a special talk by Professor Lawrence Krauss, an esteemed science communicator and theoretical physicist who believes science can and should be appreciated by anyone and everyone.
“Celebrating the wonders of the universe is one of the most satisfying things we can do as human beings, it seems to me,” said Prof. Krauss.
“We talk about music and literature and art and yet somehow people don’t think science is the same thing but science is indeed a central part of our culture and we should celebrate it,” he said.
“Without science, life would be a tragedy.”
Krauss is an internationally renowned speaker; has written many books on the wonders of science and his talk about the unlikely connections between humans and the rest of the universe was met with awe by his audience.
Science communicator and organiser of BrisScience, Dr Andrew Stephenson, celebrates science all year round but relished the opportunity to highlight the importance of science with a talk by Professor Krauss.
“I think it’s important to just celebrate science all the time amongst the community,” Dr Stephenson.
“I always try to make a big event [for National Science Week] and have a lot of fun … and everybody’s just keen for science,” he said.
Q&A panel at BrisScience with (left to right) Prof. Andrew White, A/Prof. Michael Bromley, Prof. Lawrence Krauss, Dr Tim Stace, A/Prof. Ben Powell and Dr Andrew Stephenson.
Krauss’s talk was followed by a Q&A session with five physicists, and according to the National Science Week organisation, the BrisScience event was one of 1000 events conducted across Australia.
The Chair of National Science Week, Andrew Peach, said the week is a significant time to raise awareness about science and its accomplishments.
“It’s an opportunity to bring science to the forefront … to celebrate the outstanding work of science,” said Mr Peach.
BrisScience will continue to host monthly seminars at The State Library of Queensland’s The Edge, more information is available on the BrisScience blog or Facebook page.