What grows more bugs – a dog’s mouth or a toilet?
One of life’s big questions, if you happen to be a kid, will be answered during a series of fun and informative science sessions being run at the 2015 HMRI Open Day on Friday, September 25.
Children can learn about the teeny tiny world of germs as researchers demonstrate the growth of live bacteria and highlight the importance of clean hands. The sessions run every 30 minutes.
HMRI Open Day is a free school holiday event that will open minds to science, health and wellbeing. The multi-level expo is hosting a range of interactive activities for the young and young at heart with booths, research sessions, school science sessions and lab tours throughout the day.
There are art workshops, do-it-yourself DNA, a crazy inventions laboratory, and science story time with Susan Whelan.
“Children of today may be our researchers of tomorrow so days like these are an opportunity to ignite their imaginations, get theminterested in science and hopefully start thinking about careers in medical research,” HMRI Director Professor Michael Nilsson said.
Primary and high school students can attend one of the school science talks to learn first-hand from young researchers about their journey into a career in science and what it’s like to be a researcher at the Hunter Medical Research Institute.
A new addition to the Open Day this year is the Science Meets Fiction talks with Dr Luke Hesson from the Museum of Human Disease. He will present a talk on The Science Behind Zombies. Registrations are essential to secure a seat as Dr Hesson’s other talk, The Genetics of Rare Abilities like X-Men, is booked out.
School kids can join Mark Hughes and friends from the Newcastle Knights in the Healthy Kids Football Clinic running at 10am.
The Good for Kids Good for Life booth will also be encouraging children to get regular physical activity and eat more fruit and veg. They have a fundamental movement skill challenge using everyday items found at home rather than sports equipment.
And what kid doesn’t love looking at snakes in jars at the toxicology stand?
With limited onsite parking, patrons can ride a free shuttle bus running all day from Hunter Stadium to the HMRI Building on the John Hunter Hospital campus in New Lambton Heights.
Open Day hours are 10am to 4pm on September 25.
* HMRI is a partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Health and the Community.
