Fun with science at UQ Expo

Lasers and holograms, a wind tunnel to blow the mind and a wave flume that really gets the surf up are among attractions at the free UQ Expo in Brisbane on Saturday May 29 and Sunday May 30.

More than 40,000 people are expected to attend UQ Expo at the University of Queensland's St Lucia campus from noon until 5pm both days.

Dean of Students Dr Lisa Gaffney said UQ Expo would offer family entertainment as well as displays and demonstrations of the University's outstanding research, teaching and community service features. Attractions will include:

o Spectacular one million volt lightning demonstrations in the University's High Voltage Laboratory.

o Hands-on fun making slime, tapping into a rubber tree, analysing the zinc content of hair, playing with magic mud, or putting eggs in bottles.

o The SunShark, UQ's award-winning solar car which recently completed the Sydney to Melbourne CitiPower Sunrace and is gearing up for the next 3010 kilometre World Solar Challenge from Darwin to Adelaide.

o A computer that can recognise human faces from mug shots, as used by Scotland Yard to detect criminals from closed circuit television surveillance cameras.

o High speed water rockets, gold panning, free photographs with choices of background including a moon visit or ride on the Titanic, and a mathematics scavenger hunt with high-tech prizes.

o Orchid tissue culturing (with souvenirs), touching and feeling marine plants, and an introduction to transgenic plants.

o Multimedia computer programs and anatomical specimens in the Anatomy Museum and Learning Centre.

o Computer-based games, electrocardiographs, blood pressure and lung function checks, zoology and entomology displays, and nanobes, the mysterious missing link between life and non-life.

Free parking will be available, including undercover parking in the multi-level car parks on Sir Fred Schonell Drive. You can also catch a bus or CityCat all the way to the campus. TransInfo Link (telephone 13 12 30) can provide timetable information.

Media: For further information contact Dr Lisa Gaffney, telephone 07 3365 9132.