Art and Science Soiree
Thursday 16 August, 6pm 
Cost: $15 per person. To reserve your place, email info@ultimosciencefestival.com 

Scientists and artists are invited to meet at this informal event and get to know each other with a view to possible collaborations. The focus will be on developing projects that allow artists to speak for scientists in ways that engage audiences with the often difficult subject matter of modern research. 

Big Night of Science - cancelled
With enormous regret we advise that the Big Night of Science has had to be cancelled. Our key note speaker Professor Jack Copeland, world expert on Alan Turing, is unable to travel to Australia due to health reasons. We hope to be able to bring Professor Copeland to the Powerhouse Museum at a later date. All the prebooked tickets to this event will be automatically refunded. 

Speed Meet a Geek
Saturday 18 August, 2pm – 4pm
For ages 14 and over
$30 family, $12 adult, $8 concession, $6 child

No it’s not a dating event – it’s a rare chance for you to sit down for a chat face-to-face with research scientists and find out all about their work, first hand. We’ve invited astronomers, physicists, biologists, mathematicians, environmental scientist and many more. 

Behind-the-scenes Curator Tours
Saturday and Sunday 18, 19, 25 and 26 August, 2pm
Monday 20 and Thursday 23 August, 2pm and 6pm
For ages 14 and over.
Cost: $35, $31 for PHM members, students or group bookings of 8 or more.

Take an exclusive peek at the extraordinary depth and breadth of the Powerhouse Museum's Science and Technology collection in storage. The Museum's store areas are filled with amazing objects, each with their own fascinating story. These tours will explore the treasure trove of dental, medical, scientific and technological instruments, objects and curios usually unseen by the public.

The Einstein Lecture 2012: It’s a small, small world
Tuesday 21 August 2012, 5.45 for 6.30 pm start
Cost: $5 adult, $2 under 18.

Experimental physicist, Dr Michael J. Biercuk, from the Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems at the University of Sydney, will talk about things on the nanoscale, where our classical understanding of the laws of physics breaks down and we now have to think ‘quantum’. Dr Biercuk runs a research group performing cutting-edge experiments using trapped atomic ions as a model quantum system. Ticket includes light refreshments.

The Beast Within: dissecting the ethics of animal experimentation
Wednesday 22 August, 6pm for 6.30pm start
For 14 years and up.
Cost: $15 per person

When you pop a pill or slather on sunscreen, what or who's it been tested on before it gets to you?  From chimps to cats, rabbits to rats - what role do animals have in scientific & medical research today? How have practices changed behind lab doors? Some animals are loved companions, others destined to become lab rats - who decides and how? What's your view on animal testing? Join science journalist Natasha Mitchell, host of ABC Radio National's Life Matters and guests for a debate that goes to the heart of what it means to be human.

Fastbreak: Science = Danger
Friday 24 August, 7.45am – 9.00am
Cost: $10 per person.

Join us for a power breakfast of insights, innovation and inspiration - it's food for thought. Featuring sharp, dynamic presenters from very different backgrounds, including: Daniel Keogh (broadcaster, digital content creator), Lisa Harvey Smith (astronomer), Wendy Zukerman (TV researcher), Dr Michael Biercuk (experimental quantum physicist) and Lily Serna (mathematician, SBS TV presenter). 

Big Science Weekend
Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 August, 10am – 5pm
For ages 4 to 104
Cost: $30 family, $12 adult, $8 concession, $6 child.

A weekend of fabulous science action for all ages with hands-on workshops and entertaining science shows!

See ABC’s Surfing Scientist, Ruben Meerman, perform mind-boggling science tricks, enjoy the WipeOut! science show, and join in a lively discussion between Matt Boyd author of I,Wolf and the Museum of Human Disease on the Genetics of becoming a werewolf. 

Hands-on activities throughout the day include daytime telescope viewing presented by Sydney Observatory, Molecule-making, and the Mystery Investigators with the Australian Skeptics Association. Plus kids can take home slime they’ve made in the Super Silly Slime workshop and meet Cogs the Robot.

Science exhibitions, displays, films and more
Daily
For all ages
Every day through the Festival explore the Museum’s fascinating range of science-related exhibitions including Nuclear Matters, Experimentations, Space, Cyberworlds, Ecologic, Engineering Excellence and Steam Revolution. Plus see a display celebrating the centenary of the brilliant thinker and code-breaking genius Alan Turing, explore the evolution of the humble bicycle, discover more about some of the world’s most significant scientists and enjoy an amazing science show or film.