Many students and their teachers travelled from far away including Lightning Ridge, Coonabarabran, Tenterfield, Coffs Harbour and numerous places in between. Academic and technical staff from across our schools of Science & Technology, Environmental & Rural Science, Medicine & Health and the School of Education were involved with Far Out Science inspiring students to dive into the world of science and explore, ask questions and try things they’ve never tried before.

We began each day in Lazenby Hall where we were welcomed to country by our Aboriginal Cultural Advisor, Mr Steve Ahoy, followed by an introduction to UNE and the endless possibilities here by our Vice Chancellor, Professor Chris Moran on Wednesday and by Associate Professor Phillip Fourie, our Head of School, School of Science and Technology on Thursday.  Dr Erica Smith, our Deputy Head of School, School of Science and Technology, was our MC for the event.  We thank them all for their contribution to the event.

Each school group participated in four activities throughout the day from creating enrichment activities and obstacles for our sweet lab rats; joining in our amazing Chemistry Show for exciting reactions, mighty explosions, illuminating liquid, dry ice and crispy flowers; finger print dusting; looking at ochre for Aboriginal paintings; the science of making butter; wild foods around campus; hunting mini-beasts in the garden; sports science in motion; checking our hearts with the nursing team; looking at digestion with our fork to poo activity; investigating our brain activity; pharmacy in action; and much, much more.

These were only some of the fantastic activities students participated in – learning through play, exploration, and uncovering scientific wonders – all on campus here in Armidale.

Many of our visiting students had not experienced a university setting before Far out Science, and being able to provide them with the opportunity to explore what science can be beyond school helps them visualise the endless possibilities of a career in science, building aspirations and encouraging them to think beyond what they know.

Events like Far Out Science aim to not only inspire students to explore what science has to offer, but to show them just how much it permeates our lives. We hope all our Far Out Science students finished their day with thoughts and ideas for their own lives, all relating to some newfound science knowledge!

We wish to pass on an enormous thank you to everyone who made the days possible, and the huge success they were – we can’t wait to do it all again with you next year!