Questacon

The story of Questacon is a testament to the power of curiosity and the idea that learning should be an active, physical experience. It began in 1980 within the walls of a room at Ainslie Public School, driven by the vision of Professor Mike Gore. A physicist at the Australian National University, Gore was dissatisfied with the way science was traditionally taught. He looked towards the famous Exploratorium in San Francisco for inspiration and decided to create a space where people could touch, break, and rebuild the laws of physics themselves. The early days were humble, relying on volunteers to keep the doors open and the excitement levels high. As the popularity of this small schoolhouse experiment grew, so did the ambition of its founders. It captured the imagination of the nation and caught the attention of international partners. In a grand display of goodwill for the 1988 Australian Bicentenary, the government and business sector of Japan donated one billion yen, a massive sum that allowed for the construction of the iconic, modern building that sits in the heart of the capital today. This architectural gift transformed Questacon into a truly world class facility. Today, the centre stands as a beacon for scientific literacy. Beyond its walls in Canberra, it maintains a spirit of adventure through the Science Circus, an outreach programme that traverses the vast Australian landscape to reach remote communities. This commitment to accessibility and discovery defines the character of Questacon. It remains a place where the barrier between the complex world of professional science and the inquisitive general public is completely erased, leaving behind only the pure joy of discovery.