There's currently a very cool opportunity to put your mark on Australian research, nearly literally. CSIRO is replacing it's current research vessel, the Southern Surveyor with a new ship to be launched in 2012 and the call has gone out seeking ideas for a name for the new vessel. Entry is online and there is a host of prizes, including working with a CSIRO scientist to design an experiment to be conducted on the new vessel. I say get in there, get creative and make a splash. Sorry about that.

Science Week continues to roll on and it’s already been one to remember. ‘Hypothesis’ was fantastic (loads of people, great laughs, super science and lot’s of fun); NASA astronaut Megan McArthur gave a great insight to a full house at RMIT, and there are still hundreds of events listed online. That said, ‘Living Science at the Market’ was postponed due to weather. We were ready for rain, ready for hail, ready for cold, but anyone who was in Melbourne last Sunday will know it was very, very windy – no place to be erecting marquees. Don’t panic, though, the event will be on again at some point in the future. Stay tuned . . .

I’ll be moderating a debate in Bendigo tomorrow to explore whether mathematics is the cornerstone or society. Nice meaty topic when you think about it - I’m looking forward to it. On Friday I’m speaking at ‘Science Matters’ at Melbourne Museum. This should be a great event, with a very impressive line up of speakers (as well as me). There’s also ‘The Physics of Star Trek’, ‘Dinosaur Island’, ‘Beer: Barley to Bottle’, and so much more.

It’s also Radiothon time at Triple R, so I have on-air duty with ‘Einstein A Go Go’ on Sunday morning.

A couple of weeks ago I mentioned a National Science Week event called Hypothesis that’s coming up on at BMW Edge Theatre on Friday 14 August. At the time I promised more details. Well, here you go. Filled with physical feats, Teacup Tumble will perform their acrobatic show, ‘Its Science not Circus’. Join Simon Pampena as he tried to save the world in his hilarious show ‘Supa Mega Maths Battle for Planet Earth’ .

Inspired by the microscopic world, Scale Free Network will bring the very small to life using art – check out the hidden secrets of the Yarra River and take a close look at the beautiful detail of a butterfly tongue. I’ll be your chaperone at 'Speed Meet a Geek' where you will have the chance meet some of Melbourne’s most charming and gregarious scientists.

More . . .

Scientists from the University of Washington have a warning for you: if you’ve ever upset a crow, watch out. There’s every chance that the crow will be out for revenge when next you cross paths, although a Dick Cheney mask might help.   More . . .

National Science Week is fast approaching and as usual there is heaps happening. In no particular order, NASA astronaut Megan McArthur will be in town to discuss life in space. Lawrence Krauss will be illuminating the physics of Star Trek and Canadian paleontologist Scott Sampson will take us to Dinosaur Island. At Melbourne’s famous Queen Victoria Market we’ll catch up with The Cheeseman and enjoy some sugary science at Suga. I’ll be joined by Adrian Richardson to learn how to cook the perfect steak.

I’m also especially looking forward to Hypothesis at Federation Square. This is an event like no other. With comedy, music, circus performers, 3D projections, wine science and – of course – great cutting edge research and innovation. Watch this space for more details.

You can check out Dr Karl's science week promo at www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1kyk-NUGkQ