A podcaster, a scientist and an astronaut walk into a museum.

Prepare to be awestruck with an incredible line up of STEM experts, educators and entertainers exploring the awesomeness of science from inspiring experiences of nature or first-hand stories from a NASA Astronaut to immersive art installations and The Ultimate Debate.

Science is Totally Awesome! This array of awe-inspired and awe-inspiring events features an incredible line up of ABC journalists, presenters and podcasters celebrating curiosity, innovation and adventure. Along with our illustrious experts, they’ll shed light on scientific discovery and the mysteries of the universe with humour and wonder.

NASA Astronaut Christina Koch is among the distinguished guests joining Dr Julia Baird to explore The Science of Awe, while podcasting doyennes Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb are planning an awesome Afternoon of Science with local and international experts. ABC Radio National’s Big Ideas presenter, Natasha Mitchell, hosts The Ultimate Debate where brilliant minds battle it out for the Science Smackdown crown, while hosts of ABC radio and television share their most awe-inspiring experiences of nature in The ABC of Awe.

Curious minds of all ages can experience awe in two immersive art experiences. The Awe Experiment merges neuroscience, bespoke software and captivating art to provoke curiosity, spark conversations and explore the mysteries of awe in the brain and body. Projections in The Whale Mall showcase life in a petrie dish with free microscopy activations providing rare insights into Unseen Worlds.

Prepare to be awestruck with an incredible line up of STEM experts, educators and entertainers exploring the awesomeness of science.

Humans are grounded in nature. Over millions of years, our species has built deep understanding and connections to the earth we inhabit, to the indominable forces of Mother Nature, the power of Gaia, and the visceral connection to country as evidenced by our First Nations people. With their feet firmly planted in science an eclectic array of ABC hosts, food scientists, astronomers, and wildlife experts will attempt to unravel the mysteries of nature.

What better place to start than at the beginning with the first scientists of this land sharing traditional knowledge that enhances current scientific approaches to the environment.

We’ll break new ground in the quest to feed a burgeoning global population, reminisce about awe-inspiring experiences of nature and explore the petrie dish of life in Unseen Worlds. Festival visitors are invited to take time out from the deluge of modern living and get back to nature with our Digital Detox urban and wildlife walks. Visitors to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary during the Festival can explore Nature’s Backyard with up close and personal, hands-on workshops to build a frog hotel, help save the endangered Richmond Birdwing Butterfly or use knowledge skills and the power of deduction to uncover the secrets of local wildlife.

Make time to take stock of the world around us, our precious natural environment and our rich history of connection to country in this earthly series of conversations, activities and explorations.

A constellation of brilliant astrophysicists, astronomers and astronauts shine a light on the cosmic mysteries and out-of-this-world discoveries in this unmissable series of space-aged events. Special guests include NASA Astronaut Christian Koch, sharing her first-hand experiences of space travel, and First Nations Astrophysicists Karlie Noon and Kristen Banks exploring the Cosmos and its darkest mysteries. Put your helmets on and fasten your seatbelts as we count down to the ultimate journey into Space.

Our mere existence within the Cosmos is mind-boggling. As humans we are miniscule grains of sand in the fleeting realm of time and space. Whether you’re searching for the final frontier or venturing to infinity and beyond, space exploration is a genuinely awe-inspiring goal.

A constellation of brilliant astrophysicists, astronomers and astronauts shine a light on the cosmic mysteries and out-of-this-world discoveries in this unmissable series of space-aged events.

NASA astronaut Christina Koch has served as a flight engineer on the International Space Station, participated in the first all-female spacewalk, and set a record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman with a total of 328 days in space. Christina joins Dr Julia Baird for The Science of Awe and spends An Afternoon of Science with Leigh Sales and Annabel Crabb. Renowned Kamilaroi astronomer, author and science communicator Karlie Noon hosts an eye-opening session on Cosmic Caretaking at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, while Wiradjuri astrophysicist Kristen Banks and fellow science communicator Dr Sara Webb explore the darkest mysteries of the universe, black holes. Kristen will also share her passion for making the wonders of the universe widely accessible in an adult only QM Science Night at SparkLab.  Of course, all good space explorers need transport so Gold Coast based Gilmour Space Technologies will join the line up to showcase their game changing approach to Australian made launch vehicles and satellite platforms. Put your helmets on and fasten your seatbelts as we count down to the ultimate journey into Space. Prepare for Blast Off!!