LEADING scientists from around the world will attempt to answer some of the big questions about humanity and where it's headed at this year's World Science Festival in Brisbane.
Members of the scientific community will take over local parks, streets and cultural precincts when the festival returns to Brisbane for the third time from March 21-25.
The 2018 festival- which will be hosted by Queensland Museum, will focus on 'humanity' as scientists from across the globe delve into what makes us human, how humanity has advanced, and how science is working to ensure we live better for longer.
Queensland Museum chair David Conry said the centrepiece of next year's World Science Festival Brisbane would be the world premiere of Steven Spielberg's 1977 sci-fi masterpiece Close Encounters of the Third Kind in Concert.
"For the first time, anywhere in the world, audiences will be able to experience John Williams' magnificent score conducted by Nicholas Bus and performed in its entirety by the Queensland Festival Philharmonic accompanied by the Resonance of Birralee choir," he said.
"This special event promises to be a thrilling staging of this much-loved cinema classic with its iconic score."
The concert will take place at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre Hall from 7pm on March 24.
Another major festival highlight will be an appearance by Eddie Woo- the online teaching sensation who was named Local Hero at the 2018 Australian of the Year Awards.
Eddie will join Charles T Gray and a panel of other leading mathematicians for a panel talk titled For The Love of Maths: More Than Just Words.
The discussion will take place at the Queensland Conservatorium's Conservatorium Theatre from 11.30am-12pm on March 22.
For a full program of events, visit the festival's website.
