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National Science Week
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National Science Week 2011 DST looks beyond 2011 NSW The consistent hard work of the Department of Science and Technology and its dedication to fostering an appreciation by all South Africans of science, engineering and technology, has seen National Science Week event grow considerably in the twelve years that this event has been held. Having been credited with taking science, engineering and technology to over 500 000 learners since its inception in 2000, the DST has also implemented a number of additional strategies that go beyond National Science Week. Looking beyond National Science Week, and in line with the realisation that science and technology are pivotal to South Africa's economic growth, social development and improved quality of life for all, the Department has actively pursued the establishment of a network of science centres that will popularize science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These Centres of Excellence have been tasked with research projects in a wide variety of topics, and these include: Invasion Biology, Tree Health Biotechnology, Catalysis, Strong Material, Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, Birds as keys to Biodiversity Conservation, Biomedical Tuberculosis Research and Climate & Earth System Science. The theme for this year's National Science Week is 'The Role of Science in Economic Development'. According to Phethiwe Matutu: Chief Director for Human Capital and Science Platforms, "scientific discoveries, and the associated development of new technologies and their infusion into new markets, are key long term drivers of socio-economic development, and as such the Department is dedicated to creating programmes that will generate interest in science, technology, and engineering and (SET) careers among the youth". To this end, National Science Week incorporates teacher, learner and public workshops, open days, lectures and seminars, career exhibitions, learner outreach activities, and tours over 90 venues across all of South Africa's nine provinces that will offer thousands of learners, teachers and general public the opportunity to meaningfully engage with a large variety of scientific and technological exhibits, workshops, demonstrations and interactive activities that relate to this year's theme. Additionally, through its National Plan for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, the Department has been stimulating the interest of South Africa's youth in these areas with campaigns and initiatives that are held throughout each year. Programmes that have since been developed to achieve these aims include: maths Olympiads, science competitions as well as maths and science development camps. National Science Week also recently established a presence on some of the most popular social media platforms. Facebook ('National Science Week - South Africa') and Twitter ('@ScienceWeekSA' and '#NSW11') sites represent the first time in the twelve year history of the event an attempt to harness the power of these social media platforms with the intention of easier instilling in South African society, and specifically the youth, the roles that science and technology play in the growth of skills and the subsequent creation of employment opportunities. For up-to-date information, log on to Facebook and Like 'National Science Week - South Africa', follow @ScienceWeekSA on Twitter and make use of the #NSW11 hashtag when tweeting about the event. Press Releases
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Details of National Science Week 2011 activities in your area!! For more details contact: Isaac Ramovha at 012 843 6879 /isaac.ramovha@dst.gov.za, Jabu Nukeri at 012 392 9335 /jabu@saasta.ac.za or Erna Taljaard at 012 392 9337 /erossouw@saasta.ac.za The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) website also provides a lot of information on National Science Week 2011. | |
The MeerKAT - SKA Schools competition
