The Questacon Science Circus has been bringing science to kids all over the country (and beyond) for 40 years. Pictured here is a stop on tour in the Northern Territory in the 1990s. Photos: Questacon.
Not long after Professor Mike Gore set up the first humble iteration of Questacon at Ainslie Public School, Goulburn called, hoping the inventive science exhibits could come their way.
It was decided that if Questacon was to complete its mission of bringing scientific principles to the masses in engaging ways, it had to include remote, regional and rural audiences. In 1985, the team rented a removalist truck, and 25 interaction exhibitions and 10 volunteer explainers went to Goulburn.
The Questacon Science Circus was born, and at its very first appearance, attracted some 1500 visitors.
Questacon Director Jo White says a mobile science centre was a natural offshoot.
“Professor Gore’s vision was to take science out of Canberra and into the heart of remote, regional and underserved communities that may not get the opportunity to visit Questacon in Canberra,” she said.
Now marking 40 years, Science Circus is Australia’s longest-running and most travelled science outreach program, reaching communities in Victoria, WA, Queensland, the Northern Territory and NSW over four major annual tours.
Over the past four decades, the initiative has had a significant impact on STEM engagement nationwide, reaching over three million people in 700 towns and 110 remote indigenous communities.
The program also established a partnership with ANU as part of the university’s science communication program, allowing students to “join the circus” on their way to completing their qualification.
“It’s an amazing legacy that over 500 ANU grads in science communication have been through the program,” Ms White says.
“Those communicators are now in all sorts of roles in Australia and internationally.”
Over the years, the Science Circus has hit the road for some remarkable journeys, taking science to where crowds gather.
It followed the Olympic Torch Relay for the Sydney 2000 Olympics, stopping at 108 towns across five states and the ACT.
In September 2024, the Science Circus toured to the largest agriculture show in Australia, the Henty Machinery Field Days, where it performed shows and hosted its Pop-Up Science Centre.
The Science Circus has also made its way overseas, including to Osaka, Japan, last year for the World Expo. It has influenced similar programs in the UK, Canada and South Africa.
After four decades on the road, the vibrant truck has become more than just a vehicle for science — it’s a familiar sight that communities look forward to.
“Much like a traditional circus, the sight of the Questacon Science Circus truck rolling into town brings a lot of excitement to the communities it reaches,” Ms White says.
“It’s become quite iconic.”
For its 40th anniversary, the Science Circus went back to the beginning, inviting past Science Circus presenters and members of the original explainer group from that first tour in Goulburn to an event at the Ainslie Arts Centre.
There, guests had a chance to experience some classic Science Circus exhibits, all of which explored scientific concepts in simple, engaging, and accessible ways.
“The ‘speed ball’ measures the ‘Doppler Effect’ and there’s a rotating platform that demonstrates how changing your body’s position changes your spinning speed — rotational inertia in action. The ‘Velvet Hands’ exhibition shows how what we call the ‘filling phenomenon’ can make a bunch of wires feel like velvet,” Ms White says.
“People commented that it was very much like that first circus. At its heart, it’s still about that same spark of curiosity — bringing science to life for everyone, everywhere.”
Questacon is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm at King Edward Terrace, Parkes. Visit Questacon to book your tickets and plan your visit.
