Australia kicked off National Science Week 2010 on August 14. This long week actually runs until August 22.
In Melbourne, festivities actually started August 13 with Market of the Mind, a Free Evening Event at QV Square.
More details on events in Melboune can be found via Museum Victoria which hosts a number of them.
Grown ups can combine Cheese, Wine and Astronomy with the Discover the Night Sky Series at Melbourne Planetarium, Thursday evenings in August.
Program for the last 2 sessions is:
Thursday 19th August: Backyard Astronomy It’s not just stars you can see in the night sky – planets, comets, shooting stars and satellites are all there if you know when and where to look. Navigate by the stars and discover how you can become a backyard astronomer.
Thursday 26th August: Deep Sky Wonders Explore some of the most exciting highlights the sky has to offer. Get up close and personal with magnificent galaxies, sparkling star clusters, mysterious gas clouds and much more.
Session duration: 7.00-9.30pm (session starts promptly at 7pm)
Those willing to be involved can take part in The Big Sleep Survey 2010 during Science Week.
They ask:
"Did you get a good night’s sleep last night? Or did your partner’s snoring wake you? Maybe you spent hours on the internet instead of sleeping… or kept your iPhone under your pillow, just in case. Whatever your sleep habits, Australian sleep scientists want to know about you!"
Who said science had to be hermetic and boring?