SYDNEY, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- More than 250 workshops, exhibitions and family events exploring all areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) will be open to the public of Sydney for the next two weeks at the Sydney Science Festival.
The festival looks to showcase the diverse and multidisciplinary nature of the harbour city's scientific community.
Part of National Science Week, the festival is produced by the Australian Museum and the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, and focuses on promoting STEM to the next generation of young scientists, as well as strengthen existing partnerships between the community, research organizations and industry.
"Right at the heart of everything Australia does now is innovation," director and CEO of the Australian Museum Kim McKay told Xinhua at the opening ceremony Tuesday evening.
"If you look around us, everything we do now is science-based and it has all been because people have been incredibly ingenious, no matter where they come from in the world, so we need to see that with young people so that we get even more discoveries in the future and more innovation in science."
"What I'm all about here is really sparking that interest in science among young people."
One of the major attractions at this year's festival, is a chance for children to learn about DNA first hand by extracting samples from animals.
Another event will see kids get the opportunity to dress up and examine a crime scene as a forensic investigator.
One focus of the event is the impacts of climate change, particularly in the Pacific, Mckay said.
"So it is really important that we focus on what is happening to them (Pacific countries) and hear first hand from Pacific peoples about the impact on their lives and understand how we can amend our behaviour in daily life to try and ameliorate the impacts of climate change."
While most people around the world think of Australia as a "just a sporting nation" with interesting animals and sun-drenched beaches, McKay said the next generation of budding young scientists may start to change that perception.
"There is something about science today that kids understand," she said.
"They all have smartphones in the palm of their hands so they know that science and technology plays an important part in how we communicate now."
The festival runs until August 19.
