THE SCIFESTAFRICA ISSUE 2013
CONTENT
FEATURES
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FOREWORD Science Stars on the move MEDIA RELEASE Scifest Africa 2013 SCIFEST AFRICA Scifest Africa 2013 picture gallery
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CONTRIBUTORS An engineer who has risen above it all
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NEW IN TOWN Nelson Mandela science centre launch
THE SCIFESTAFRICA ISSUE 2013
Editor Unathi Kondile Managing Editor Evans Nyasha Manyonga Art Director Nkabanhle Mawala Contributors Joy Matambo Anja Fourie Chairman Madambi Rambuda Copyright 2013 Roswika Media. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or any means, electronically or mechanically,without prior permission.
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Science Stars is published by Roswika Media a member of Shanduka Black Umbrellas Black Umbrellas
FOREWORD
Science Stars on the Move!
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ine hours driving from Cape Town to Grahamstown. Exhausting. But well worth it as we arrived at the Settler’s National Monument – where the 17th National Science Festival was scheduled to take place from the 13th to the 19th of March.
visitors in lectures, workshops and at the stands. We also had a Science Stars magazine stand which mostly attracted high school learners: “How can I become a contributor in your magazine?”
To us this festival is a buffet of science innovations. We sat with keen interest as Science and Technology Minister, Derek Hanekom, outlined what we were to expect as well as his department’s commitment to SciFest Africa.
“Where would you recommend I look for science bursaries?”
The next few days were pure pleasurable learning and unbelievable at times. We, together with thousands of visitors, got to learn more about the much-talked-about Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope. Some even got to simulate the Bloodhound Project – a project that seeks to break the world land speed record. We even bumped into a robot that was asking visitors questions. It’s not everyday you get to see a real life robot ambling about. We love how science brings to life what some can only imagine to be movie stuff. There were quite a number of exhibitors abound – including us – who seemed very keen to interact with
“What should I do to get into varsity?”
Were some of the questions we fielded as people took a complimentary copy of Science Stars. For the many young people we interacted with it was all about opportunities and getting funding to further their maths and science dreams. In our next edition we will address this by focusing on bursaries and connecting potential employers with prospective learners. We learnt a lot. Every year seems to outdo the previous year with this type of festival and we are sure to return next year. We would like to extend a special thank you to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the Shanduka Foundation and the Old Mutual Foundation who also took a keen interest in Science Stars. We look forward to growing together!
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MEDIA RELEASE
Scifest Africa 2013: Marks 17 years of celebration!
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cifest Africa, South Africa’s National Science Festival welcomed 66 282 visitors to its 17th year of celebrating science, and showcased a spectacular event from 13 - 19 March 2013, in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape. The festival’s 2013 theme, “Science on the move!” celebrated movement in its different forms, from transport and transport infrastructure, the universe and the Square Kilometre Array telescope (SKA), the human body in motion, to the attempt by The Bloodhound Project to break the World Land Speed Record on Hakskeenpan, Northern Cape in 2014. Supported by the Department of Science ad Technology (DST), and in collaboration with the South African
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www.sciencestars.co.za | March 2013
MEDIA RELEASE Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), and the National Research Foundation (NRF), Scifest Africa continues to grow from strength to strength, and this year received a grant of R4 million from the DST for the next 3 years. Mr. Tommy Makhode, Chief Director of Communications for the Department of Science and Technology said, “The Department of Science and Technology leads a national programme on public engagement with science. While the Department runs its own initiatives in this regard, it also supports initiatives of other stakeholders, such as Scifest Africa, which complement our objectives regarding public engagement with science. The increased support for Scifest Africa is intended to enable this oldest festival to continue its work and to create an enabling environment for Scifest Africa and the other emerging science festivals to impart knowledge and experience, in an attempt to sharpen the country’s platforms for public engagement in science.” The main highlight of 2013 was the new additional venue called Water World, kindly hosted by the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB). In the ever growing demand for more interactive activities and events, saw the festival grow beyond its home of the 1820 Settler’s National Monument in its 17th year. Water World celebrated the 75th anniversary of the discovery of the Coelacanth on South African shores, and had its own exhibitions, talkshops, workshops, apprenticeships and tours. From the jaw dropping experience of the dissecting a dolphin workshop, to the scenic costal tour excursions to learn more about the wonders of our water life; Water World was a true success and
immensely enjoyed by many! In total 26 262 tickets were sold and over just over 100 schools formally registered, while other schools came in for their specific days and didn’t go through the pre-booking registration system. “It is always wonderful to look back and see how far we have come, and 17 years is a testimony to the hard work and success of the National Science Festival. We continue to strive to engage our public with a quality progressive programme, as we need to create lasting experiences that impact on our youth and establish a platform for our future scientists,” says Scifest Africa Director, Anja Fourie. Scifest Africa 2014 will take place in April/May 2014, and registrations will open online on 9 April 2013.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom MP, test drives a model based on The Bloodhound Project’s supersonic car
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In total 26 262 tickets were sold and over just over 100 schools formally registered
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LAUNCH
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Science Centre Launch 2013
Uitenhage now plays home to the Nelson Mandela Bay Science and Technology Centre. Opened by Minister Derek Hanekom on the 22nd of March 2013
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GALLERY
SCIENCE FESTIVAL AFRICA Snapshots from the National Science Festival
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GALLERY
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GALLERY
CONTRIBUTORS
Scifest Africa 2013 Contributors
Council for the Built Environment
The Council for the Built Environment (CBE) as a statutory body in the built environment will share about careers in the built environment and scarce skills in the built environment..
BASF Holdings South Africa (Pty) Ltd
This exhibition displayed the modular experimentation program “Water Loves Chemistry” was developed by the global BASF Kids’ Lab Competence Center. It comprises of the “Water Purification” experiment and the “Water Storage” experiment
CSIR
ScieQuest
This is a showcase of the work done at the CSIR on lasers and other areas. It is also a platform to learn about opportunities at the CSIR.
The SciQuest is an interactive mobile science education exhibition that consist of twenty colourful stations. A wide range of science and technology themes are explored, including engineering, geography, mathematics,mechanics, optics, physics, sound and apscial perceptions.
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British Council
In partnership with the Department of Basic Education, the British Council aims to improve the quality of English Language Teaching in South African schools through teacher training, provision of online English learning materials and solar-powered MP3 recorders pre-loaded with English materials linked to the national curriculum for multigrade schools
South African Astronomical Observatory
An interactive exhibit with iPads demonstrating careers in astronomy, astronomy quiz from previous of which participants will got certificates after answering a set number of questions correctly.
CONTRIBUTORS
South African Environmental Observation Network
As global change tightens its grip on our planet, people’s lives and livelihoods are being put at risk by the natural disasters caused by these changes. Society needs reliable information to understand why and how our world is changing so that we can plan for the future. This is why the South African Environmental observation network (SAEON) exists.
South African National Space Agency
Square Kilometre Array South Africa (SKA SA)
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) is South Africa’s government body for the promotion and peaceful use of space while fostering cooperation in space-related activities and research in space science, communications, navigation and space physics
Can people look back in time and see how the Universe formed? The answer to all these questions is yes, using the Square Kilometer Array (SKA). The SKA will be the biggest and most sensitive radio telescope ever build and there is a big chance that it will be built here in your country.
Old Mutual
Oxford University Press
This exhibited offered learners bursaries for actuarial or accounting studies that offer support from matriculation to beyond qualification.
Oxford University Press publishers are committed to the growth of South Africa and its people, through the provision of excellent educational material and support, both in print and electronic format.
Petroleum Agency SA
Petroleum Agency SA works with young Geologists to demystify the mysterious world of rocks and minerals.
Nedbank
As a “Green Bank”, Nedbank’s commitment to the environment and the sustainable conservation of South Africa forms part of the bank’s broad holistic marketing philosophy, which revolves around the core elements of humanity: mind, body and soul.
Rhodes University: Department of Pharmacy
Teaching of compounding in the Faculty of Pharmacy is as an important part of Pharmacy Education. Their laboratories are purposebuilt for the provision of innovative teaching and training in Good Manufacturing Practice.
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CONTRIBUTORS
Roswika Media Science Stars Magazine
Science Stars is a publication that promotes Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology in historically disadvantaged communities.
South African Weather Service
Technology Innovation Agency
University of KwaZulu-Natal
This exhibition took visitors on a voyage to some of South Africa’s most remote weather stations located in the southern oceans.
The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) supports the development, commercialization and use of technolological innovation to imorove the economic growth and quality of life of all South Africans
Encouraged learners to use their imagination to recreate the habitat of dinosaurs
MORE CONTRIBUTORS University of the Free State
UNISA
University of Pretoria
This exhibit included disciplines such as Chemistry, Plant Sciences, Soil, Crop & Climate Sciences, Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, Geology, Physics and IT and showed how life can’t exist without consistent movement in everything from the air around us, the earth beneath us, within cells, atoms, and technology.
The College of Science , Engineering and Technology is the responsive, enabling and accesible provider of high quality ,relevant,innovative open-distance learning Science, Engineering and Technology programmes, research and community engagement in Africa
Sport stars don’t just need good coaching and nutrition they also need the right genes as well as good science and technology to reach their goals. This exhibit displayed all the things you need to make the right moves!
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Bayworld BLOODHOUND SSC CYCOLOGY Chembiz Quest SAIAB Department of Water Affairs FOSST Discovery Centre Esri South Africa (Pty) Ltd Hens Idea Jive Media Africa Johannesburg City Parks National English Museum PlasticsSA Plastic Engineering Services Rhodes University Somerset Educational Sa National Road Agency Village Scribe Association
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The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides loans and bursaries to eligible students for studies at public universities and Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges in South Africa. NSFAS OFFERS BURSARIES: Bursaries are offered to eligible students in need who are studying in various scarce skills areas such as teaching and social work. Eligible students are those whose academic results enable them to enter university. As of 2011, the South African government has also increased bursary funds to help students enrolled in certain NATED programmes (N1-N6 in engineering and N4-N6 in all other fields) as well as the National Certificate (Vocational) at public FET Colleges. If you qualify for funding according to a financial means test, this bursary could cover the costs of your tuition, food and accommodation.
STUDENT LOANS GIVE HOPE: NSFAS loans are also available for qualifying university students for their first undergraduate degree or diploma. If you do well academically, a portion of the loan may also be converted into a bursary. Funding is limited and not all students who apply will receive an award.
FOR MORE INFORMATION visit the financial aid office on campus, contact NSFAS on 021 763 3232 or SMS your question to 32261 Standard SMS rates apply. Email info@nsfas.org.za or visit
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NSFAS is a registered credit provider in terms of the National Credit Act 34 of 2005 (NCRCP 2655)