Science takeover at The Corner

Last school holidays the World Science Festival Brisbane dazzled minds with an amazing array of events, igniting curiosity in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and the arts. Over the ten-day festival, thousands of people came together in Southbank to experience the exciting things science has to offer including talks, presentations, and experiments.  

We know that early exposure to science activities promotes an open, questioning mind which is vital for all children to be able to move onto more complex scientific concepts. But do science experiments belong in the library?  

We say yes, and so does Children’s Discovery!  

Which was why, State Library co-designed a science take-over in The Corner, presented as part of the World Science Festival Brisbane in collaboration with Children's Discovery, experts in play-based science and creators of the Little Bang Discovery Club. Children explored their senses, played with light explored balance and motion and created their own balancing bird or whirligig to take home. 

The families attending the takeover were engaged and interested and had lots of fun exploring all that was on offer. A particular highlight for Children’s Discovery was a slow race as part of The Speedy Sloth* Storytime Science activity, with some children taking 10 mins to cover 3 metres, complete with slow motion arm actions.  

“The stand-out for us,” said Children’s Discovery, “was the sheer numbers of ENGAGED, happy, intelligent children with caring parents in tow. To draw such a crowd despite the poor weather showed me you are doing something right.” 

For more information about how you can support your child’s health and wellbeing through science, and to keep up with all the exciting news about First 5 Forever, subscribe to our free monthly tips or visit a First 5 Forever session at your local library. And remember, you are never too young to be a member of the library – you can sign your little scientist up from birth.  

*The Speedy Sloth is written by: Rebecca Young and illustrated by Heath McKenzie (2022).