Shell Questacon Science Circus
For over 30 years, we've been delivering science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education to the heart of regional Australia with the Shell Questacon Science Circus.
Learn about how the circus visits schools around the country, providing students and teachers with valuable learning.
In this section
Meet the presenters
The Shell Questacon Science Circus presenters’ day begins early at Chinchilla Primary School, getting set for science demonstrations in the assembly hall and grounds.
What is STEM and why does it matter?
Shell’s sponsorship of the Shell Questacon Science Circus is designed to inspire and excite students to study subjects that cover science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Educators call these subjects ‘STEM’, for short.
About this year’s circus
It’s the countdown to show time. As afternoon shadows lengthen under a sapphire Queensland sky, families mill about the forecourt of the Chinchilla Cultural Centre, eagerly awaiting the evening’s entertainment to begin.
Inspiring passion for science in regional Australia
Title: Inspiring passion for science in regional Australia
Duration: 3:12 minutes
Description:
Shell supports science education because science skills will be needed for so many jobs in the future. The Shell Questacon Science Circus is a travelling program showing tens of thousands of regional students and their families what science can do in the real world. The partnership has been inspiring a passion for science in kids, teachers and families in regional Australia for the last 33 years!
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Questacon Accessibility Transcript
Background music plays, we see kids learning about science in various locations in regional Australia.
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Did you know that up to 80% of tomorrow's jobs will require skills in science, technology engineering and maths (STEM)?
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But the number of Australian students choosing science and maths has hit a 20-year low.
[Footage of Masters Students at Chinchilla sign]
Masters students together say, welcome to Chinchilla
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Shell Australia is hoping to change these statistics, with the Shell Questacon Science Circus.
[Footage of masters students teaching a packed class]
Masters Student 1 says science isn't just about lab experiments.
Masters Student 2 says heat always flows from the hot thing to the cold thing.
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For over 30 years, the program has been taking science to the heart of regional Australia.
[Footage of Shell Questacon Science Circus rolling into town]
Masters students at Chinchilla sign say together Welcome to Chinchilla!
Bobby Cerini from Questacon describes what the Shell Questacon Science Circus is about.
“The Shell Questacon Science Circus is about taking the living breathing science centre out on the road to reach communities that wouldn't otherwise have an opportunity to do so.”
[Footage of young science teachers travelling through regional Australia]
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Each year, 16 post-graduate students from the ANU travel to communities across Australia.
[Footage of Miles State High School]
One of the Master’s students Allison Ryan explains what she is doing.
“We're at Miles State High School today. We're going to be doing a couple of science experiments using the science of pressure and liquid nitrogen.”
We see her counting down to an experiment
Three, two, one…
[Footage of Liquid Nitrogen Experiment, vapour explosion]
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There are science shows and demonstrations for students of all ages.
Allison Ryan, ANU Masters Student
I really love it when you can see your audience really connecting with the things you are talking about and the things you are doing. I love it when you have that have those little moments and someone just gets it.
[Footage of Teachers learning from the students at a professional development session.]
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There are professional development workshops for teachers.
Stuart Kenealy, from Chinchilla Christian College, explains what the teachers get from the program.
"Being out here in Chinchilla, it's easy for the teachers out her to feel a bit isolated. So it's great when a group comes out and are willing to share that sort of experience that we don't normally see.”
[Footage of Shell Questacon pop-up science circus being set up]
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And a pop-up science centre for the whole community.
Aaron, one of the Masters Students, shows us around the exhibition.
“Oh, what's happening in here? Leisha is about to get a concrete block smashed on her stomach.”
[We see footage of a block being smashed on Leisha’s stomach.]
Aaron looks shocked, “Ooooh!”
[Footage of People at the exhibition]
We hear people explaining what they like about the exhibition.
Person 1 Woman says “Heaps to do and the fact they can touch everything is fantastic.”
Person 2 Man says “Oh awesome mate, look at how many kids are out now usually they'd all be home on their farms.
Person 3 Girl says I didn't know a scientist could do all fun things like experiments.
[Footage of People at the exhibition having fun]
Kirsten Snyman, from Shell Australia explains why Shell sponsors the program.
"For Shell the Science Circus is just such an exciting event. For us it's about the jobs of the future and getting students to learn things that will really help them solve the challenges that tomorrow brings and we're really proud of the last thirty years that we've had together and the impact that we've been able to have over a long period of time.”
[Footage of young boy at the exhibition]
I would really like to be a scientist when I grow up.
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Shell Australia is proud of its 33-year partnership with Questacon.
Music ends, Pecten, Shell Jingle, video ends.