SPARKING an interest in all things science was the goal at Dubbo's 10th annual Sustainable City Expo and Science Festival at the weekend.
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Families flocked to the grounds of the Western Plains Cultural Centre to get hands-on with some scientific and educational organisations as well as some local businesses.
Dubbo City Council (DCC) sustainability co-ordinator Catriona Jennings said the day had strong turn out, with more than 550 people flocking through the gates in the first two hours.
"We had a range of hands-on science exhibits and sustainable living displays," Ms Jennings said.
"At 9.30am we heard from Larry Brandy who talked to us about how Aboriginal people used their knowledge of plants and animals to find food.
"From a local perspective it was great to see local businesses and organisations taking the time on their Saturday and showing some leadership."
Talks on caring for native wildlife from Taronga Western Plains Zoo staff drew a large crowd, while science experiments conducted by Wambangalang Environmental Education Centre (EEC), the Australian Museum Science Festival, Macquarie University and the University of NSW (UNSW) school of physics had the kids hooked.
The UNSW school of physics had people looking at the sun through eclipse shades, while Wambangalang EEC used solar-power to cook garlic bread in a solar oven.
"Our focus today is sustainable methods of energy, which include peddle-powered electricity, the fender blender and our solar oven," Wambangalang EEC teacher David Houghton said.
"Kids learn different types of energy sources, with a focus on renewable energy, and it opens up their minds and introduces them to new concepts of energy generation. Hopefully they'll go away and do some more research themselves."
The Australian Museum's life-sized dinosaur puppet, Winny Saur, was a highlight, and head of lifelong learning at the museum Fara Palarek said their stall had an amazing response.
"For me, the most important thing is that every kid goes away excited about science," Ms Palarek said.
"Science is a tool which we can use in absolutely every aspect of our lives, so if we can spark curiosity in children and adults in some branch of science, then that's fantastic.
"I encourage people to be involved and look out for more science events in the region."
