This National Science Week (August 12-20), the ABC is asking audiences to listen to the world around us as we explore the science of sound and search for Australia’s favourite animal noise.
Audiences can now vote for their favourite animal sound on the ABC Science website. During National Science Week we’ll be finding out more about some of the animals up for the top spot with the winner announced on Friday August 18 in a live “count down” blog on the ABC News website.
ABC Chief Content Officer Chris Oliver-Taylor said: “We’re delighted to be bringing our audience a range of content around the science of sound this National Science Week. The ABC plays such an important role in educating and entertaining all Australian’s and to be able to celebrate the science of sound across Radio National, Catalyst, Play School, triple j as well as original content on ABC Listen and ABC iview is something we our incredibly proud of.”
Across our platforms we’ll also be celebrating Science Week with content exploring the soundscapes of our lives. We’re looking at urban noise and its impact on our mental health, visiting the quietest places in Australia and investigating the science of how sounds are made.
National Science Week highlights
Catalyst – The Soundtrack of Australia
Two-part Catalyst special: Tuesday August 15, and Tuesday August 22 at 8.30pm on ABC and ABC iview
Australia is a stunning country but we seldom tune in our ears to how it sounds.
In this two-part special, Dr Ann Jones is on an odyssey to gather iconic recordings of Australia and explore how they’re made, what messages they carry and how humans are harnessing the power of sound.
Play School: World By Night
Play School: World By Night starts Monday 14 August, airing weekdays at 9am on ABC Kids and ABC iview.
When the sun goes down, the world comes alive in many ways! Put on your cosy jammies and snuggle in for the Play School: World By Night series, exploring bedtime routines, nocturnal animals and bustling cities after dark. With special guests, Kirsten the astronomer and ‘Diva’ the barn owl, there’s plenty to see once day turns to night!
Science With Dr KarlThursday 17 August on triple j and ABC listen
In a special episode of Science with Dr Karl, Australia’s favourite Doctor and triple j’s Lucy Smith explore the physics of sound.
Nature Track
New episode Monday 14 August on ABC listen
A special Science Week episode of the Nature Track podcast will showcase the beautiful “Soundtrack of Australia” as recorded by Dr Ann Jones during the filming of the two-part Catalyst special.
Nature Track opens a window on the beautiful sounds of the Australian wilderness, with long, uninterrupted soundscapes that are perfect for work, exercise, meditation or sleep. Each unique track is carefully recorded on location in a different part of Australia.
ABC RN
A world of sound and noise will feature across ABC RN’s science shows and beyond, including an examination of hearing and dementia on the Health Report, a story of “acoustic restoration” on Future Tense, and a special episode of All In The Mind about the songs we sing our babies.
ABC Kids listen
Nature nerd Ann is back with a brand new season of Noisy by Nature. The 10 new episodes will be releasing weekly from Tuesday the 8th of August, with journeys to the red centre, Tasmanian cliffs, lush rainforests and heaps more. Perfect for all sound detectives, young and old!
News Time will also be spotlighting science week with a countdown of the top five kid-friendly science stories and a special shoutout to ABC’s quest to find Australia’s favourite nature noise.
ABC iview Collections
ABC Science programming: https://iview.abc.net.au/category/science
Science Week with the Family: https://iview.abc.net.au/collection/science-week-family
ABC ME: https://iview.abc.net.au/collection/science-week-me
ABC Kids “Full Steam Ahead: It’s Science Week!”: https://iview.abc.net.au/collection/science-week-on-abc-kids
Online
ABC Science
A suite of special digital content will celebrate the science of Australia’s soundscapes, including an animal noise quiz, stories on the ecological role and the evolution of hearing, and a beautiful interactive feature on the superb lyrebird.
Social
ABC accounts on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will showcase ABC personalities and their favourite Aussie animal sounds – as well as quizzing the Australian public on their knowledge of our noisiest animal neighbours.
During National Science Week and beyond, the ABC is your home to the best science news, stories and features from across Australia. Stay up to date on all things science at abc.net.au/news/science.
Media contact
Laura Todd
ABC Communications
todd.laura@abc.net.au
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.
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