PROGRAM:

Concurrent sessions will be run. You will need to book into the sessions on the day. Limited numbers per session.

10.15 - Dip Netting with NPWS. First Inventions with NPWS. Plant Science with Hunter Region Botanic Gardens.

11.15 - Water Filtering with Hunter Water. Bug Walk with Harmony Visions Eco-Tours. Plant Science with Hunter Region Botanic Gardens.

12.15 - Dip Netting with NPWS. First Inventions with NPWS. Plant Science with Hunter Region Botanic Gardens.

1.15 - Water Filtering with Hunter Water. Bug Walk with Harmony Visions Eco-Tours. Plant Science with Hunter Region Botanic Gardens.

PLANT SCIENCE - every breath you take .... thank a tree!

Making food from sunlight is a neat trick! Find out how plants do it and how the rest of the world benefits. This activity will be presented by Hunter Region Botanic Gardens Chairman, Ken Page.

DIP NETTING - healthy water bugs mean healthy water.

What lurks in the waters of the wetlands? Find out with NPWS Discovery Ranger, Jen. The chemistry of water dictates what lives in it. The greater diversity of water bugs, the healthier the water is. Find out the chemistry of our wetland and identify common water bugs.

BUG HUNT - discover our eco-engineers and how they make our Garden grow.

Insects are changing our environment all the time. Come with experienced eco-tour guide, Jeannie Lawson, and be amazed at the stories of bugs.

GEOLOGY DIG - the history of the whole planet is right beneath our feet!

Get ready to get your hands dirty to see what you can dig up. What minerals make up rocks and soil? Where might we find dinosaur bones and other fossils? The Geoscience Australia team from the Dept of Industry, Science, Energy & Resources will be on hand to answer your questions.

WHY FILTERING MATTERS - keeping out the bad stuff!

Experiment with what goes down our drains with the team from Hunter Water. Lots of things don't mix with water. Find out how our drinking water is kept safe.

THE FIRST INVENTIONS - aerodynamics in action.

Learn about why the boomerang works and how many of our scientific discoveries were first made thousands of years ago by Indigenous Australians. NPWS Discovery Ranger, Jesse, will tell stories and teach dances as he explains how ancient tools were used and the innovations behind them.