Half a dozen stuffed toys were shoved into a barrel and then blasted into the air as part of the Sapphire Coast Science Festival’s closing performance on Sunday.
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More than 50 kids and their parents spent the morning ooohing, ahhing and laughing at an informative and entertaining science shows that were performed by Dr Graham Walker throughout the day in the Gulaga Foyer of the Bega Valley Commemorative Civic Centre.
Highlights of the show included things children could try at home - under the supervision of an adult of course – such as levitating a ping pong ball with a hair dryer and turning a vacuum cleaner into a marshmellow bazooka.
Known as the Science Show-Off, Dr Walker had the children in stitches as he demonstrated some basic science experiments while also taking the time to explain the science behind the tricks, teaching his audience about pressure.
Using liquid nitrogen he was able to impress the kids and parents alike with some fantastic teddy bear cannon blasts, one of which was so big he had to move the audience outside, delighting people in the street.
Nine-year-old Tanja resident Amber Bright said the whole show was fun and education.
Amber was the lucky child chosen to have a ride on Dr Walker’s very own hovercraft which was made from a fold up chair, some cardboard and four leaf blowers.
“The hoverboard was really fun and exciting but my favourite part was when the teddies exploded into the air,” Amber said.
Bodhi Turner, 12, also of Tanja said the show was much better than she expected.
“My favourite part was when he used the nitrogen to create an explosion,” she said. “I learnt a lot during the show, I definitely learnt not to do too much dangerous stuff at home.”
Activities for National Science Week on the Far South Coast were held from August 13-21 and Bournda Environmental Education Centre principal Doug Reckord said he was over-the-moon with how it turned out.
“There was a good mix of older residents and younger people getting involved in the activities throughout the week which was our aim,” Dr Reckord said.
Other Science Festival activities included an app launch, short films at the Pambula Merimbula Gold Club, a frog hunt and drone and quadcopter demonstrations at Panboola and robot workshops.
At the end of Sunday’s shows, the upcoming Bioblitz event was announced to be held at Four Winds on November 11 and 12 which will involve artists and scientist coming together for two days of family fun.