ACES welcomes 150 visitors for National Science Week

Over 150 people enjoyed a ‘mind blowing’ Nanotech experience in the labs of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science at UOW during National Science Week.

True to its strong focus on outreach activities, the Centre welcomed the visitors through a 3 day series of events.

The annual Community Open Day was fully booked-out in advance, with members of the local Illawarra community plus some keen travellers from Sydney attending to tour the working laboratories.

 “The tour was wonderful,” said participant Mrs Val Cook. “It made me realise how lucky we are to have this research in Wollongong.”

During the tour, participants spoke with researchers about research programs including Solar Energy, Materials Synthesis and 3D Printing. The Bionics program including Nerve and Muscle Regeneration research attracted much attention from visitors.

“The Bionics was absolutely mind blowing,” said another participant Nancy Brenton. “You’ve no idea what fantastic things are being done in the Illawarra!”

Following the Community Open Day, year 9 and 10 students from Sylvania High School and Corpus Christi Catholic High School flooded the Centre over 2 days of activities.

Students enjoyed workshops in the labs including Fibre Spinning and Electron Microscopy, plus an engaging presentation on Hydrogels from Prof Marc in het Panhuis. While on Innovation Campus, the students visited the Wollongong Science Centre for the new NanoTechnology exhibit and Nanocam show.

For more information on outreach programs and tours with ACES, contact Natalie on 02 4221 3239.

Pictured top: Visiting PhD Student Craig Milroy conducts a workshop with students from Corpus Christi Catholic High School