On Science Week Sunday, Yass Landcare joined forces with Wildlife Reimaginations to bring a day of hands-on, nature-inspired activities to Coronation Park, Yass. Around 250 people — from curious toddlers to wise octogenarians — wandered through the stalls and activities, each taking away something new.
The event was a perfect pairing of wildlife exploration and Landcare, sparking conversations about our natural environment and the many ways we can care for it. Visitors of all ages were enthralled, and the buzz around the park made it clear: this is something we’d love to make an annual tradition.
Creative, Colourful Science
Children and adults alike got stuck into vegetable scrap dyeing. Learning how to turn everyday kitchen leftovers into vibrant inks and patterns. There was smashing, squishing, and stamping with mallets and chopping boards as colour revealed itself on paper and fabric. The joy on children’s faces was priceless as colours shifted, dyes emerged, and food scraps took on a new life in their artistic creations.
Playing with Acidity and Alkalinity
Budding soil scientists explored the pH of everyday household products and discovered how this affects plant growth. Visitors dug through real soil samples to find organic matter, root filaments, and the tiniest of creatures with various invertebrates. One slater almost found itself adopted as a pet by an enthusiastic young participant! It was a tactile, eye-opening way to learn how soil health supports plant life.
Understanding Compost and Food Waste
A compost activity demonstrated the gasses released by decomposing food scraps, showing exactly why it’s better to feed them to the garden rather than send them to landfill. The bubbling, fizzing, and lively discussions made for a memorable lesson in waste reduction and soil enrichment.
A Big Thank You
Events like these don’t happen without our community. A huge thank you to the volunteers who designed, set up, and ran the activities, giving their Sunday to share knowledge, enthusiasm, and a love natural sciences. With so much curiosity sparked and so many smiles shared, it’s safe to say this was a Science Week event which everyone enjoyed.
Written by Sarah McGrath, YAN Local Coordinator