Article

SciFest gets down to earth

SciFest Africa, the national festival of science, which takes place in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape of South Africa from 16 to 22 April, has joined a global movement under the leadership of the United Nations General Assembly to celebrate 2008 as International Year of Planet Earth.

"It's sad to think the planet needs protection, but it does,'' said Brian "Bugs" Wilmot, director of SciFest. "As I see it, the so-called 'earth sciences' - geology, meteorology and geography - will help us find the way out of the mess made by our recklessness.''

SciFest has plenty lined up at this year's festival to complement what the United Nations is promoting. With something for every age group, everyone will be able to learn about how to maintain our planet home now and in the future.

"There are so many events about our earth at this year's festival," said Margaret Wolff, SciFest manager. "It is becoming increasingly important that we learn more about our earth and how to preserve the surroundings we are privileged to live in."

SciFest is excited to host climate change author and journalist Leonie Joubert. "I love being at SciFest - it's where I first cut my teeth in science journalism!" said Joubert, author of the award-winning Scorched: South Africa's changing climate. "My talk, the result of the 2007 Ruth First Fellowship, visits a few ordinary South Africans and tells their story as climate change sets in. Most of these people live on a knife-edge because of poverty and their dependence on an already capricious natural environment."

For those looking to make a difference in the environment starting in their homes, engineer Pragasen Pillay focuses on how science and technology can be used to reduce household waste, so we don't end up living on landfills.

Astronomer Case Rijsdijk brings us a real ''room with a view'' - new moons and planets. He will also present the ever-popular Science Olympics where high school learners knuckle down in an explosion of scientific intelligence.

"SciFest, with the generous support of the Royal Society of South Africa, is also excited to bring out South African born Sir David King to speak on the need for governments to listen to what scientists are saying about climate change," said Cath Walters, SciFest Media Officer.

With it being International Year of Planet Earth, the SciFest annual essay competition aimed at high school learners will centre on a topic related to solar and wind energy and how Africa can use it to increase electricity amidst the power situation we are currently experiencing. Schools in the Eastern Cape can expect to be contacted next month [February] about the competition.

"On the whole, we have made the program especially diverse so there really is something for people interested in hard-core science like astronomy, down to those interested in learning something fun in workshops," said Wolff. "This is our twelfth festival and we have more events than ever."

More information:

Cath Walters

Tel : 046 603 1172
E-mail : scifestmedia@foundation.org.za

The official 7-day programme is expected to be released at the end of January. Contact the SciFest Africa office on 046 603 1106 or email scifest@foundation.org.za to get yours early.

SciFest Africa 2008: 16 - 22 April www.scifest.org.za   

Science in Africa - Africa's First On-Line Science Magazine

Copyright  Science in Africa, Science magazine for Africa CC. All Rights Reserved

Terms and Conditions