Build a Gromit!
Date: Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 May, 10.30am, 11.45 am, 1.30pm, 2.45pm
Ages: 5 +
Cost: $10 after Museum admission
Become an Aardman model maker in our hands on, crash course in ‘Gromit building’. Come along and get cracking in this 45 minute activity.

Short films: Cracking Contraptions!
Daily until 26 May, 1pm – 4pm
Ages 5+
Included with Museum admission
A series of 10 short films featuring some of Wallace and Gromit’s more outrageous inventions.

Wallace and Gromit’s World of Invention is an Aardman experience, produced by SGA.
© Aardman Animations Ltd 2012.

This year we take inspiration from American architect Frank Lloyd Wright who reflected on the influence of playing with blocks as a child “That early kindergarten experience with the straight line; the flat plane; the square; the triangle; the circle!. . . These primary forms and figures were the secret of all effects . . . which were ever got into the architecture of the world.” Many of his buildings, such as The Guggenheim, are notable for their geometrical clarity.

Oikodome: Building Architects will still feature the same building materials of cardboard rolls and flexible nodes, but there will be a stronger emphasis on the creation of geometric structures. Children, much like Wright, will first be encouraged to create three dimensional shapes such as cubes, pyramids and prisms. Then they will be given the opportunity to combine these shapes to create a variety of geometric structures either by following templates or creating their own by free-forming.

Volunteer at Oikodome: Building Architects

Architecture & Engineering Students we need you!

Part of the success of Oikodome: Building Architects is the involvement of volunteer architecture and structural engineering students from various universities and TAFEs in NSW. Below is a collective response from the student volunteers summarising their experience of being part of Oikodome:

“Working as volunteers on the Oikodome: Building Architects program has been a great experience. Given the opportunity to work with young creative minds, we were able to extend our architectural interest into the younger community. It was great to see the enthusiasm as parents and grandparents worked together with their kids to build structures out of cardboard tubes. It was interesting to see the kids’ varied responses to the brief. Some worked flamboyantly and haphazardly, others worked very carefully and logically. Some were speedy, others were diligent and slow. One day maybe, these will be the architects of the future.”

To see what the experience is like check out:

 Applications close 14 June.

For more information and an application form please click here.

All Day Science Workshop

Science of Architecture!
In this hands-on workshop, budding young scientists and engineers will explore some of the scientific principles that underpin architecture by creating structures from newspaper and then running some simple scientific tests. The workshop culminates with the construction of a Geodesic Dome.
Ages: 8-13.
Dates: 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 July
Times: 9.30am – 4.00pm
Cost: $80 per child, $70 members. Bookings essential.
Bookings & Further Information (available from 27 May)

Thinkspace Workshops

Thinkspace is the Powerhouse Museum’s digital learning centre offering learn-by-making workshops with science and design themes.

Learn the essentials of video game design and create your own game. Use Minecraft to make a short story or music video. Use Scratch and LEGO to create your own Pacman game. Learn to build electronic circuits using Arduino. For ages 7 and over.

Click on the image to be taken to Thinkspace website and further information about the workshops.

Sydney Observatory and
Powerhouse Discovery Centre

For more fun holiday activities why not visit Sydney Observatory or the Powerhouse Discovery Centre.

Visit ‘Go Play’ to browse NSW school holiday activities from a range of organisations, including the Powerhouse Museum. More…

Our Writer Overnighter guest children authors have been:
2012 Michael Pryor
2011 Morris Gleitzman
2010 Anna Fienberg

Writer Overnighter is an annual event of the Sydney Writers Festival.

Writer Overnighter 2013

Come along for a night of writing about INVENTIONS with the author of Australia’s Greatest Inventions and Innovations, Christopher Cheng.

Have you a crazy, zany invention, maybe one like Wallace’s wonderful inventions? Something that will make life for you, your parents – or maybe the world – a little easier. Then tonight’s writing fun, all about those inventions, is just for you! And if you haven’t thought of an invention then don’t worry. You will have one by the time you have finished Writer Overnighter!

 At our Writer Overnighter you will:

• Write up your invention, how to build it and what it does,
• Have it published, and
• Place it out there for all the world to see.

So bring along your INVENTIVE and WRITING brain and have some FUN!

Your ticket includes dinner, liquid nitrogen icecream and breakfast, entry to Wallace & Gromit’s World of Invention exhibition as well as all listed activities. Don’t forget your sleeping bag, pillow and a torch!
 
Perfect for children aged 8–13 years. Children must be accompanied by a paying adult.

For those adults and children who are unable to stay the night with us inside the Museum we now have a discounted “talk and dinner” option.

For full details about Writer Overnighter are available to download in our FAQ:
 Writer Overnigter FAQ [PDF 467Kb]

Program
2.30pm   Arrival and registration
3.00pm   Explore Wallace & Gromit’s World of Invention exhibition
4.30pm   Welcome
4.45pm   Make a Gromit activity
5.45pm   Setting up sleeping gear
6.00pm  Dinner
7.00pm  Meet Christopher Cheng plus activity
8.30pm   Liquid nitrogen icecream
9.00pm   Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were Rabbit film screening
10.30pm Bedtime preparation 
                    Event concludes for “talk & dinner” guests
11.00pm Lights Out

6.30am Early Risers activity
7.00am BBQ breakfast or cereal
8.00am Event concludes
Please note program  is subject to change without notice.

About Christopher Cheng
Christopher Cheng is the award winning author of more than 40 children’s books in print and digital formats including the picture books One child and Sounds Spooky, the historical fiction titles New Gold Mountain and The Melting Pot and the non fiction titles 30 Amazing Australian Animals and Australia’s Greatest Inventions and Innovations. He is co-chair of the International Advisory Board for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and a recipient of the Lady Cutler Award for Children’s Literature.

About Australia’s Greatest Inventions and Innovations?
Hills Hoists, Vegemite and the Victa lawnmower – everyone knows they’re Australian inventions, but what many people don’t know is that we also have Australians to thank for the invention of Wi-Fi, for the Betacheck Blood Glucose Monitor, for dual-flush toilets, for spray-on skin for burns victims and for baby safety capsules.

These are just a few of the inventions created by clever Australians trying to solve problems. Now, with the help Christopher Cheng and the PowerhouseMuseum, all Australians can read about them in this inspiring new book. Discover our nation’s most ingenious inventions, read about their makers, and learn how to turn a bright idea into a useful creation.

Workshops that have been offered covering a wide variety of science topics and include:
* Science of Light
* Spy School
* Science of Architecure
* Fun with Chemistry
* Wallace & Gromit’s Inventors Workshop

Autumn Science Workshop

The Autumn  all-day science workshop is Fun with Chemistry!

Who knew chemistry could be so wonderfully slimey, gooey and fizzy? In this all day science workshop kids get the chance to solve the mystery of the great kitchen-powder mix-up and have the chance to make and take home their own slime, glue made from milk and instant worms!

BOOK NOW

What’s included*

• A day full of fun science activities (9.30am – 4pm) led by dynamic Museum Educators
• Take home your own slime, worms and sherbet
• Ages 7 to 12 years (not suitable for younger ages)
• Includes a guided visit to Wallace and Gromit’s World of Invention
• A workshop booklet with experiments to repeat at home
• Make new friends with fun team challenges
• Engaging small group environment (max 24)
• Lunch and morning tea provided in the outdoor playground located within the Museum (weather permitting)

Program Outline*

9.30am      Registration

9.45am      Welcome

10.00am    Activity 1: Wallace & Gromit’s World of Invention exhibition
Begin the day by being inspired by the inventiveness of Wallace & Gromit!

10.45am    Morning tea

11.00am    Activity 2: The Great Kitchen Powder Mix-Up
Roy, your instructor, needs your help! He was making a batch of sherbet for this afternoon’s session but mixed all the kitchen powders up! Using a range of chemistry tests help solve the mystery and learn how to make your own pH indicator!

12.30pm  Lunch

1.15pm     Activity 3: Slime
Cogs’ spent hours in the lab perfecting his slime recipe, now you get a chance to make a tub of your own to take home!

1.45pm     Activity 4: Ooblek
Dr Seuss named oobleck in his book Barthlomew and the Oobleck. Scientist think it’s really strange stuff and we’ll explore some it’s properties.

2.15pm     Activity 5: Caesin Glue
Find out how to make your own glue with 3 simple ingredients found in the kitchen at home!

2.45pm     Afternoon tea

3.00pm     Activity 6: Instant Worms
From the cookbook of a celebrity chef we turn molecular gastronomy into something kids really like to make – worms!

3.30pm     Activity 7: Sherbet
Did you know that the fizz in sherbet is actually a chemical reaction happening in your mouth? Experiment and make your own perfect batch!

3.45pm     Graduation
We invite parents to join us for graduation. Plus we’ll finish off with one of our favourite demonstrations – Elephants Toothpaste!

4.00pm     Finish!

* Program and inclusions subject to change without notice.

General Information

• A Museum team member will be available to meet participants at the Powerhouse Museum admissions area from 9:30am everyday.
• On arrivial you will be required to fill in an Emergency Contact details form for each child attending. This can be done in advance by downloading the form  from here.
• Please collect your child from the Powerhouse Museum admissions area promptly at 4pm. If you have elected to attend the graduation you will be shown the workshop location in the morning.
• Participants are supervised by Museum staff at all times during the workshop hours. They will be required to wear an orange workshop vest for easy identification when in the exhibition, Museum courtyard and other Museum areas outside of the workshop location.
• Lunch time is spent in the Museums courtyard (weather permitting) under supervision by Museum staff, on level one where there is a cafeteria, play equipment etc.
• Morning/afternoon tea consists of fresh fruit, cheese, crackers and/or popcorn. Lunch consists of sandwiches with a combination of fillings made to order such as ham, cheese and tomato.  Fruit juice boxes and water is provided.
• Children are not required to bring any equipment. They should wear comfortable clothing and footwear as there is walking involved. Children should bring along a hat for wearing in the courtyard for lunch.
• Workshops are not suitable for children younger than the age given above. The Museum reserves the right not to accept children younger than this age.
• By enrolling a child in this workshop you agree to idemnify and hold harmless the Powerhouse Museum for any loss or damage suffered by me or my child, and for any action, claim or proceeding bought against the Powerhouse Museum, arising from the participation of the child in the workshop. Further details can be found on the Emergency Contact detail form.
• Any questions or concerns please contact the Family Programs team.

From a marvellous contraption for making mouse traps, to implants that allow profoundly deaf people to hear, Australia is home to some of the world’s most ingenious inventions. Discover some of these inspirational tales in a new display that tells the story of four of our brightest ideas.

Trail: Australian Inventions Trail

Discover some of Australia’s greatest innovations from Vegemite and box kites to a grand piano and dual-flush toilet. Pick up the trail at the Museum admission desk or the Australian Inventions display. Collect all the letters to reveal another Australian invention (clue it’s one of the one of the objects on the the left!).
Ages: 8 years and over or in a Family group
Date: From 15 December, 10am – 5pm
Cost: Trail is free with Museum admission

Show: Great Aussie Inventions Quiz Show

The Great Aussie Inventions Quiz Show is a free fun filled show for the whole family to enjoy. This action packed quiz show will have you laughing and learning as we discover the secrets to some of Australia’s best inventions. Bring your brains, bring your kids, bring your smiles and you might take home our grand prize just by being in the audience!
Ages: 6 years and over.
Dates: 7 – 28 January (Summer Holidays) & 29 March – 1 April (Easter weekend)
Times: 11am, 1pm and 3pm
Cost: Free with Museum admission

Book: Australia’s greatest inventions and innovations

Written by Christopher Cheng and Linsay Knight in conjunction with the Powerhouse Museum comes this comprehensive guide to Australia’s most innovative inventions as well as their amazing creators. Full of facts, photos and fun surprises for curious kids and grown-ups alike.

Imagine a world without wi-fi or clothes lines or lawnmowers or Vegemite or dual-flush toilets or even mousetraps. Weird, huh?

These are just a few of the many inventions that have been created by clever Australians to solve some of life’s difficult problems.

PROBLEM: How do you find clues that are invisible to the naked eye at a crime scene?

PROBLEM: How do you help a deaf person to hear everyday sounds?

PROBLEM: How do you access the internet without having to plug in your computer?

In Australia’s Greatest Inventions and Innovations, you will find out about our nation?s most ingenious inventions, their makers, and how to turn a bright idea into a useful creation.

Be inspired!

Available at the Powerhouse Museum Shop, all good bookstores or online

Read a free chapter of the book.

Cogs’ Steam Show will be appearing on the mainstage in Maitland as part of Steamfest from the 13 & 14 April. The show then moves to the Powerhouse Museum for the Autumn School Holidays from the 16-29 April.

The Sydney Morsecodians visit the Powerhouse Museum each year as part of  Australian Heritage Week

The Texter versus the Morsecodian

It was April 2005 and the battleground was Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum. The lines were drawn but the opponents were generations, indeed centuries, apart. On one side Brittany Devlin aged 13 armed with a modern mobile phone, on the other, Gordon Hill, aged 93, armed with a nineteenth century morse key. This was to be a contest between the earliest form of telecommunication and the latest to see which was the faster.

Gordon and Brittany were given an identical message to send – Gordon, with many years of experience, had to send it by Morse Code to 82 year old Jack Gibson who would decode it on a manual typewriter; Brittany who had been texting for about two years was to SMS a friend standing alongside Jack.

The message selected was from a teenage magazine and read, “Hey, girlfriend, you can text all your best pals to tell them where you are going and what you are wearing.”

When the contest started Gordon had to send the message in full. Brittany saved time by abbreviating hers to read, “hey gf u can txt ur best pals 2 tel them wot u r doing, whr u r going and wot u r wearing”.

Jack finished typing the message just ninety seconds after Gordon started sending, Brittany’s took eighteen seconds longer.

Three other teen aged challengers stepped forward to pit themselves against the skill of the two old telegrpahists but none were able to match the Morse for speed.

The Jay Leno Show in the US later ran their own contest where morse code also won.

Story from David Evans