The Department of Science and Technology (DST) in partnership with the government of Germany, with the support of BMW and Sasol South Africa, are proud to announce the imminent arrival of The Max Planck Science Tunnel Exhibition. This world premier science exhibition is coming to the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown and will be open to the public, free of charge from 19 May until 29 July 2007. Developed by the Nobel laureates of the Max Planck Science institute in Germany, this international science exhibition is currently touring the world and South Africa is privileged to be included as one of the host countries.

Newtown is known as the cultural hub of arts and entertainment in Johannesburg. The Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is no stranger to hosting large school groups and visitors and is looking forward to welcoming all South Africans to the Science Tunnel where they will be able to enjoy the existing Sci-Bono exhibits in conjunction with the Science Tunnel exhibition.

The exhibition runs from 19 May to 29 July 2007 and will be open from 9am to 7pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sundays. Entrance is free.

It is essential for large groups to make advanced bookings: contact the Sci-Bono at: Tel (011) 639-8400. For more information see: www.dst.gov.za

About the exhibition:

The Max Planck Society, Germany’s Nobel laureate powerhouse, invites you on a fascinating expedition into the mysteries of our world – to groundbreaking discoveries and to the current issues and insights of modern science. In the Science Tunnel visitors move through twelve stations, from the smallest elements of our world to the largest structures in the Universe. More than 300 large-format images and over 150 video clips from current research projects from every area of modern research, many of which have never been seen before, offer fascinating insight into the hidden worlds of the micro and macrocosmos. 50 exhibits, many of them interactive, invite visitors to observe and discover what scientists explore.

Accompanied by an audio guide, visitors encounter the challenges and opportunities faced by scientists today. These range from researching new materials and exotic phenomena to the building blocks of life, the causes of disease and the secret of our consciousness, through to finding a solution for the global problems besetting humankind – be it the fight against disease, securing food and energy for a growing world population or ways to deal with the global issues of climate and the environment.

Confronted with the challenges of our time, visitors can experience how galaxies merge, black holes bring stars off course, and gigantic sun storms rage. Benefit from a walk through dimensions of our very being. Learn more about the limits of space and time; explore mysterious worlds and tomorrow’s technologies – biotechnology, nanotechnology, neuroelectronics and quantum computing. Delve into the substance of body and mind. Discover how our body directs its billions of cells and how the brain creates music. Get to know the exciting world inside our heads. Observe dancing atoms and molecules at work. Discover the roots of human culture in the tools of our animal ancestors. Pretend to be a virus attacking a human body. Learn more about the new field of regenerative medicine. Venture a look at Mars and get to know the latest satellite missions.

These and many other exhibits combine with fascinating images and films to make a visit to the Science Tunnel an emotional and aesthetic experience that will stimulate discussion and reflection.

 The 12 themes of the exhibition

On the way to the Big bang

The search for the beginning, the smallest particles and the highest energy, super cold atoms and ultra short flashes of light   

Nanocosmos

Exotic phenomena, tailor-made materials, electronics and photonics 

Building blocks of life

Molecular medicine and biomaterial, the cell – the smallest unit, biological structures 

From gene to organism

Control and regulation, protection and defense, birth and development     

Architecture of the mind

Development of the brain, decline and renewal, from the molecule to thinking

The world of senses

The roots of humankind, cognition and behaviour, a window to the brain

Technologies for the future

Supercomputers and teraflops, sensors for the invisible, the art of abstraction

From data to knowledge

Digital analysis of life, simulation of complex phenomena, models of nature   

Global challenges

Energy sources for the future, focus on world health, sustainable raw materials

Spaceship Earth

Global cycles, ecosystems and biological diversity, the Earth’s protective shields

Our home in the cosmos

Origins and development, planets…moons…and meteorites, the sun and space weather

The Universe

How it all began, black holes and galaxies, insight into the Universe

Background:

During the South Africa-Germany Binational Commission (BNC) it was decided that South Africa will host the Science Tunnel Exhibition in May 2007 overlapping with the DST (Department of Science and Technology) annual Science Week

The DST strives towards introducing measures that put science and technology to work to make an impact on economic growth and development in a sustainable manner, in areas that matter to all the people of South Africa.

The efforts by government to ensure that South Africa has the opportunity to play host to the Science Tunnel exhibition will result in a renewed sense of excitement and interest surrounding science and technology. The exhibition is being marketed to the general public and high school learners in particular.

The Parallel Programme:

A parallel programme will be run in conjunction with the Science Tunnel exhibition. Hosted by the Goethe Institute and libraries around Gauteng, science focused films and lectures will be given to enforce the interest in Science created by the arrival of the Science Tunnel.

Details of the parallel programme will be released as soon as the schedule has been confirmed.

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

For media information, contact:

Celeste Tema

Deputy Director: Communication and Media Liaison, Department of Science and Technology, 083 399 0765

celeste.tema@dst.gov.za

Or

Kristin Klose

Director: Communication, Department of Science and Technology, 082 902 9503

kristin.klose@dst.gov.za

For bookings and related queries, contact:

Katie Engelbrecht on (011) 447 8841

katiee@kum.co.za