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News in Brief
2005 |
Here you'll find the latest News in Brief as published on our homepage during 2005.
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SA Science Lens photographic competition open for entries |
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November 2005 - SAASTA is proud to announce the fourth round of its popular science photographic competition - SA Science Lens. This is South Africa's only photographic competition specifically aimed at illustrating and communicating the excitement and impact of science, and have attracted hundreds of entries in its first three rounds. Capture stunning, dramatic, spectacular images related to science and technology and be sure to enter the competition! |
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Winners of the Cosmic Art Challenge competition announced |
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November 2005 - The winners of the Astronomy Month Cosmic Art Challenge, organised to commemorate the opening of South Africa's new Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) in Sutherland on 10 November 2005, were announced in Pretoria on 9 November. The overall winner was Hendrik de Beer (17) from Valhalla, Pretoria, with his artwork entitled 'The giant eye.' Congratulations! |
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Call for Expressions of Interest: Redevelopment of the Johannesburg Observatory site |
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September 2005 - SAASTA will be redeveloping the Johannesburg Observatory site into a science awareness platform. SAASTA invites Calls for Expressions of Interest from parties having in-depth experience in the development and project management of sites on which heritage resources are located. The closing date for submissions is 23 September 2005. |
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Cosmic Art Challenge! |
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September 2005 - To celebrate Astronomy Month 2005 and the completion of the new Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), we are inviting learners from 5 - 18 years old to enter artworks related to our universe, astronomy and space. There are
great cash prizes at stake! A selection of winning artworks will be on display at the official
inauguration of SALT on 10 November 2005. The winning artwork will be handed to President Thabo Mbeki. You may use any medium for your artwork, but it must be drawn on an A3 sized paper. The closing date for entries is 28 October. Download the entry form now! |
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African Origins - it all started here! |
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September 2005 - In an ongoing campaign to highlight South Africa's world-class research and scientific contributions, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) declared September 2005 African Origins Month.
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Beauty of Maths explored! |
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September 2005 - The sixth National Mathematics Week will take place from 5 to 9 September 2005 at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown, Johannesburg. All teachers, learners and parents are invited to visit the Sci-Bono Centre between to celebrate and enjoy mathematics. |
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High standard made decision on final entries difficult for first science writing competition |
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August 2005 - The high standard of entries for the inaugural Young Science Writer's Competition made it "incredibly difficult" to decide on the finalists. "The entries were fascinating and achieved the aim of being both educational and entertaining," said Saturday Star executive editor Brendan Seery. The first prize in the competition was awarded to Laura Vatta of the University of Stellenbosch. She wrote about cutting-edge use of magnetic technology in the fight against cancer. |
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Call for proposals: Capacity Building for Existing Science Centres in South Africa |
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August 2005 - As part of its effort to strengthen the functioning of existing science centres in South Africa, the Department of Science and Technology intends to develop capacity of existing science centres’ staff by conducting a number of training interventions. SAASTA, which has been appointed by DST to implement this training programme, wants to contract accredited training provider/s to provide training in the identified area/s. Proposals are to be submitted by 2 September. |
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Celebrating women physicists' love of physics |
August 2005 - In celebrating Women's Month and in recognition of women's scientific achievements, SAASTA is sharing women physicists' love of physics as a way of bringing the world of physics and the realisation of a possible career in physics a step closer.
In celebrating Women's Day 2005 around the country, a number of events have been planned [More information]
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Finalists in South Africa's first-ever Physics Olympiad announced |
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June 2005 - The ten finalists in South Africa's first-ever Physics Olympiad have been announced. From the some 15 000 entries for the annual ISPAT-ISCOR South African Science Olympiad, 189 grade 12 learners with an aptitude for physics were selected and wrote the first round of exams on Wednesday 18 May, 2005. The finalists were selected from this group.
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Online Olympiad results available |
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June 2005 - The results for the 2005 Ispat Iscor National Science Olympiad are available on this site and can be searched via school name and surname.
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Call for Proposals: Biosciences Month 2005 |
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May 2005 - The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has declared July Biosciences Month. Biosciences Month in July 2005 will focus on marine ecosystem research, and the African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme. DST and SAASTA are inviting the science centre network including science councils and the NRF facilities, as well as other relevant interest groups, to submit innovative and creative proposals for organising and implementing projects in July 2005, which will contribute towards raising public awareness around South Africa's marine ecosystem, and specifically, research done in this area.
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Academic Programme in Science Communication |
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May 2005 - Apply now to participate in South Africa's first academic programme in science communication. The Programme aims to develop expertise and interest in this exciting and important field. The part-time pilot course, presented from August to December 2005, is designed for people already employed in a science or science policy environment. Applications close on 24 June 2005.
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National Science Week 2005 |
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April 2005 - With National Science Week coming up from 7 to 14 May 2005, find out what's happening around the country.
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Bio what?! First comprehensive SA biotech public perception study completed |
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April 2005 - Eight out of ten South Africans have no knowledge about biotechnology and well over half have never even heard of the term before. Despite this lack of understanding, an average of 57% indicated that different applications of biotechnology should continue. So say the results of the most comprehensive survey on public perceptions of biotechnology undertaken in South Africa to date.
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Interested in astronomy, sky gazing, buying or building a telescope? |
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April 2005 - Visit the astronomy event of the year, ScopeX 2005, on 16 April 2005. SAASTA is the lead sponsor of this telescope and astronomy expo, held annually on Astronomy Day by the Johannesburg Centre of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA). The theme for this year is Space Travel and Mike Melvill (First Civilian Astronaut, SpaceShipOne and a native of South
Africa) will be the key note speaker. The programme of activities includes science shows, rocket launches, demonstrations, and more!
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Biosciences - science about life |
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April 2005 - As part of its commitment to enhance public awareness around biosciences and especially South Africa’s wealth of bioresearch, the Department of Science and Technology commissioned SAASTA to compile a resource booklet and create a web site about the very basic essence of life.
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A bubbling official launch for the International Year of Physics in South Africa |
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March 2005 - It is all bubbles go for the official lunch of the International Year of Physics in South Africa. Science and Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena will officially launch "It's Your Physics" - the South African celebrations of the UN's International Year of Physics at the SASOL SciFest in Grahamstown on Friday, 18 March 2005 at 12:00.
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All systems go to celebrate the International Year of Physics in South Africa |
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February 2005 - Science and Technology Director General, Rob Adam says the United Nations-declared International Year of Physics 2005 (IYP2005) will be promoted in South Africa under the slogan 'It's Your Physics' and activities will aim to popularise physics and illustrate its importance in everyday life.
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Enter the Young Science Writer's Competition |
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February 2005 - Calling young scientists! Grab this chance to stir the public's imagination and win wonderful prizes.
The Saturday Star and SAASTA are proud to announce the first round of the Saturday Star / SAASTA Young Science Writer's Competition. The competition will give scientists aged 20 - 35 at South African higher education institutions the opportunity to write an article on any scientific or science-related subject, to inform and entertain the readers of the Saturday Star. Show how you can convey the excitement of science in plain English and you could win!
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Two-day science journalism workshop |
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January 2005 - SAASTA, with support from the British Council, are presenting Science and Sensibility: Reporting Science Stories, a science journalism workshop. Although South Africa has a vibrant science and technology sector, science is very rarely reported in the news media. This workshop demystifies the process of reporting science stories and includes practical tips, advice, and the latest thinking on public engagement with science.
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Science Communication Seminar |
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January 2005 - SAASTA, with funding support from the British Council, is hosting a Science Communication Seminar for science communicators on 10 February 2005 in Pretoria. The seminar will be presented by Sheila Anderson (Head of Communications at the Natural Environment Research Council, UK) and Myc Riggulsford (Journalist, communications and science issues consultant). Reserve your seat now!
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Communicating Antarctica Strategic Planning Workshop |
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January 2005 - SAASTA is hosting a strategic planning workshop about sharing the excitement of South Africa's involvement in Antarctic research. The workshop will be led by Sheila Anderson, a senior science communication and policy expert from the UK. Her visit to South Africa is supported by the British Council.
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