If there’s one thing the pandemic has shown us, it’s the value of science.

So for this year’s national science week, we’ve got a stellar lineup of content across RN and the ABC Listen app. Get to know the “sparkly stuff in the sky” with a new series of astronomy podcast Cosmic Vertigo. 

Or for those in lockdown, put your hours inside the home to productive use by becoming a “hoot detective”. Scientists need your help identifying owl calls to help train robots to do it for them. 

Yes, the robots will even steal owl detectives’ jobs — but that’s a good thing, allowing scientists to analyse vast amounts of audio data that will show where owls are, and whether they’re breeding successfully.

While I didn’t expect to spend my week listening to owl calls, it’s the meditation I didn’t realise I needed. The owls need us, and there’s never been a better time to get involved in some citizen science.

Finally, if mocking scientists is more up your alley than joining them, we’ve also got you covered, with our comedy science show The Pop Test. This week, comedians Naomi Higgins, Ben Russell and Professor Alan Duffy tackle the history of flight. 

Until next week,
Annika Blau, digital editor
 

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