This year marks the fourth year of the National Science Week’s five-year plan with the theme “Tomorrow’s science and technology is in our youth’s hands”.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Mosibudi Mangena, will officially launch National Science Week (NSW) on 08 May 2008 at the University of North West in Potchefstroom.

The NSW is an annual country-wide event led by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), and supported by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA).

It is aimed at highlighting the important role science plays in everyday life and attracting the country’s youth to enter and remain in science related studies and careers.

This year, the NSW will commence on 10 until 17 May 2008 and will have many exciting opportunities for learners, teachers, students, academics, parents and the public at large to get involved in science based activities, including among others: teacher and learner workshops, science competitions and exhibitions, public talks, lectures and seminars, career exhibitions and learner outreach activities as well as tours of the country’s major science facilities.

Key objectives

• Promote career awareness among youth, parents and educators, especially those from previously disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics);
• Contribute to increased participation and performance in science, technology, engineering and mathematics;
• Help identify talent and potential; and
• Advance science literacy among youth and the general public.

Two thrusts have been identified for National Science Week 2006 to 2009:

• Scientific areas where provinces have knowledge and geographical advantage, and
• Indigenous knowledge.

The NSW plays a crucial component of ongoing DST activities towards the further development of human capital and underlines efforts to increase the number of young people entering the science, engineering and technology and remaining there as part of the national pursuit of sustainable socio-economic growth.

Details of the activities will be posted here as and when they become available.

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 Rossouw at 012 392 9337 /erossouw@saasta.ac.za