Seeds of science – National Science Week with A/Prof Corey Tutt

Saturday the 15th of August to Sunday the 23rd of August is National Science Week in Australia, so it’s time to sow some seeds of excitement with five fun and fascinating fast facts about National Science Week; six scientists sharing what sowed the seed of their interest in science; an interview with Associate Professor Corey Tutt OAM about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Science Day; and a slimy psyllium seed activity for you to try yourself at home. This episode is an Inspiring Australia NSW initiative and is supported by the NSW and Australian Governments. Presented by Jenny Lynch and Matilda. Written and produced by Jenny Lynch. Music by Purple Planet Music. Sound effects by Pixabay. Buy tickets for ‘Creative Science: Mind Blown’ at Sydney Fringe 2026: https://sydneyfringe.com/events/creative-science-mind-blown/ Support the podcast to keep it ad-free! https://buymeacoffee.com/creativescience Join the email list: https://www.creativescience.com.au/contact/ Creative Science: https://www.creativescience.com.au Facebook: @creativescienceaustralia Instagram: @creative\_science\_australia   Episode content: 00:00 2026 Sydney Fringe Festival show ‘Creative Science: Mind Blown’ 00:17 Introduction and fast facts 03:07 What’s a PhD? 03:36 Six scientists share what sowed the seed of their interest in science 07:32 Interview with A/Prof Corey Tutt OAM 12:10 Slimy psyllium seed activity   Special Guests: Riley Easton, University of Technology Sydney Sinali Weerasekara, Deakin University Dr. Olivia R. Maurice, Western Sydney University Lily Kenchington-Evans, University of Queensland Shervin Zabeti Targhi, Western Sydney University Dr Sara Chiaretti, Red Cross Lifeblood   A/Prof Corey Tutt OAM Deadly Science: https://deadlyscience.org.au Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Science Day: https://deadlyscience.org.au/pages/national-science-week   National Science Week DIY Science activities: https://www.scienceweek.net.au/diy-science/   Slimy psyllium seed activity You will need: Boiling hot water, a heat-proof cup, two tablespoons of psyllium husk powder, a measuring cup, and a metal spoon for stirring. Note: Psyllium husk powder can be found at chemists and in some supermarkets. 1. Ask an adult to help boil some water. 2. Add two tablespoons of psyllium husk powder to the heat-proof cup and ask the adult to add half a cup of boiling hot water to the cup. 3. Use the metal spoon to stir the psyllium husk powder with the water, and keep stirring until the powder soaks up all of the water and it turns into a gooey slime. 4. Wait for the plant slime to cool down and then you can play with it. It might be a bit sticky so make sure you a close to a sink so you can wash your hands. What’s happening? Plant slime is also called ‘mucilage’. By soaking up water and forming gooey mucilage, a seed can stay moist until it has time to grow. Mucilage also helps plant roots to push through soil and it’s used by carnivorous plants to trap insects. Some people use psyllium husk powder as a treatment for constipation. The psyllium husk powder works by causing a person’s poo to become larger and softer and easier to poop out.