Sci_Burst can be enjoyed by anyone and everyone, no matter your level of expertise. We’re here to make science accessible in a fun way, spark further discussions about all things STEM, and grow a community of people happy to be nerdy about science in pop culture.

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S2 Episode 1: Science goes Pop!

Welcome to Sci_Burst Season 2! We’re kicking off this season by talking all things popular culture, science, and how the two combine in weird, wacky and wonderful ways! Our very first guest Dr Anna-Sophie Jürgens from the Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science joins us to talk about circus, clowns, and even science tattoos…

Listen on Apple or Spotify!

S2 Episode 2: AI PANIC

Don’t PANIC ! 😎✨It’s Sci_Burst time. Join us and our very special guest Adrian Schmidt in this episode as we explore Artificial Intelligence (AI). Together we dive into AI’s recent surge in popularity, its appearances in popular culture, and its use in art installations across the globe.

Listen on Apple or Spotify!

S2 Episode 3: Fables

Did someone say episode 3?! Join us and our special guest Professor Chris Danta from the ANU School of Cybernetics for a deep dive on fables and science, literary anthropology, animals and machines in literature, and even fridge music! 🐷🦊📚🤖

Listen on Apple or Spotify!

S2 Episode 4: Sign Language

Ever wondered how sign languages like Auslan communicate scientific concepts and handle technobabble? Or how signing is represented on screen & fictional pop culture media like Bluey, CODA and Dune? Join us and our special guest Bailey Kennedy – who has a vast array of knowledge in these areas – to find out!

Listen on Apple or Spotify!

S2 Episode 5: Movie Music with Professor Kenneth Lampl

In this cinematic episode of Sci_Burst our special guest Professor Kenneth Lampl from the ANU School of Music joins to talk about the history of music in movies. From John Williams’ handwritten music to Hans Zimmer’s film score digital revolution, learn with us how technology, cinema, people, and sound, continue to influence each other throughout time.

Listen on Apple or Spotify!

S2 Episode 6: Protoscience with Lilia Walsh

Why do science labs look like *that* ? What is alchemy? What came before the science we know today? And what does spiderman have to do with all of this? Our guest Lilia deep dives with us into the history of science talking about alchemy, astrology, greek myths, spiderman, star trek and so much more.

Listen on Apple or Spotify!

S2 Episode 7: Teaching Maths with Will Roberts

Does thinking of maths make you spiral? Don’t worry! This episode we are joined by teacher-in-training and maths enthusiast Will Roberts to talk to us about maths anxiety across reality and fiction!

Struggling to think of maths teachers in your favourite high school tv show? Scarred by maths classrooms? The two may be more related than you think!

Listen on Apple or Spotify!

S2 Episode 8: SciComm for Kids with Dr Chloe Lim

What do ballon art and storytelling have in common? They are both great avenues for Science Communication AND are skills of this episode’s guest: Dr Chloe Lim. Join us as we enter the amazing world that is SciComm for Kids! We’re talking DIY science kits, STEM themed books, and even baking.

This feel good episode also touches on being a business babe and a shining light for CALD voices in STEM. So press play and enjoy 🙂

Listen on Apple or Spotify!

S2 Episode 9: Archaeology with Phoebe Barnes

To kick off 2025, we bring you a fascinating episode on archaeology and pop culture, featuring special guest and budding archaeologist Phoebe Barnes!🏺⛏️🦴 Do you love Tomb Raider? Indiana Jones? Jurassic Park? Then this episode is for you.

We touch on archaeogaming 👾, representations of archaeologists on screen vs archaeologists irl 🗿📜, and the mix and bleed of scientific thinking and the humanities.

Listen on Apple or Spotify!

More soon!