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News in brief
News in Brief  2007
Here you'll find the latest News in Brief as published on our homepage throughout the year.

NRF Space Workshop report back
SA's emerging space programme is taking shape and parties gathered recently to examine the role of the NRF's astro/geo/space national facilities and other space-related activities within the organisation. You can view further info and download the presentations on SA's space portal.

AstroQuiz winners announced
The winner of the 2007 Astronomy Quiz is Eunice Primary from Bloemfontein! The team prize was a 20cm telescope, from Eridanus Optics in Tshwane. Each team member also received a pair of 8x56 binoculars obtained at cost from Eridanus Optics, plus the book "Skywatching". Eridanus optics also sponsored a solar filter sheet for each school.

NRF Space Workshop report back
SA's emerging space programme is taking shape and parties gathered recently to examine the role of the NRF's astro/geo/space national facilities and other space-related activities within the organisation. You can view further info and download the presentations on SA's space portal.

Ambitious plan to promote S&T literacy among SA youth
The Department Science and Technology (DST) has launched the Youth into Science Strategy (YiSS). Part of DST's goal of promoting youth empowerment in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, YiSS sets targets including doubling the number of youth who participate in National Science Week; identifying and nurturing at least 5000 talented youths from disadvantaged backgrounds, through maths and science camps, by 2010.

Building African partnerships in space
Leading African space scientists are gathering from 2 to 5 October 2007, for the 2nd African Leadership Conference on Space Science and Technology for Sustainable Development. The theme is “Building African partnerships in space” where the continent's space professionals will deliberate the role of space science and technology in Africa's development.

The sky is no longer the limit
Activities during Astronomy Month 2007 include: educator, student and career workshops; stargazing shows; open days at our leading observatories - including a two-day, one-night trip to SALT; career booklets and cartoon strips on national television.

World Space Week is here
Science and culture meet at the Barnyard Theatre in Tshwane, where a celebrity concert and fashion show will feature school students singing the Planet Song [HipHop music] and the Kids in the Sky Song. This is part of the WSW celebration in SA and takes place on 6 October 6, 2007 from 13:00.

SA Science Lens submissions close
Thank you for the approximately 500 images entered into SA Science Lens this year! There are some absolute gems among the entries and we look forward to revealing them to the judges and selecting the winners. This is South Africa's only photographic competition, specifically aimed at illustrating and communicating the excitement and impact of science.

African Origins Month - know your roots
September is African Origins Month 2007. Activities around the country include: cartoons on television, special museum lectures and tours, a mini exhibition on indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) and guided tours through caves of archaeological interest.

NSW8 call for proposals announced
The call for proposals for National Science Week 2008 has been issued. The deadline for submitting proposals is close of business, Friday 14 September 2007. The focus week will run from Saturday 10 May 2008 to Saturday 17 May 2008.

Submit your science pics soon
Avoid the last-minute rush and submit your SA Science Lens entry today. Don't forget, you can enter online via this website and upload your image directly to our database. The deadline is 14 September 2007. This is South Africa's only photographic competition, specifically aimed at illustrating and communicating the excitement and impact of science.

Marine Biosciences Month is here
Activities during Marine Biosciences Month 2007 include exhibitions, excursions, television exposure and radio interviews. The full schedule of events is now available online.

International Polar Year update
Due to our involvement in Antarctica, South Africans are active participants in IPY. The local launch took place on the SA Agulhas, the South African Polar Research vessel, while at anchor in the Cape Town harbour. More info on the IPY and IHY websites.

SA Science Lens kicks off
The moment you've been waiting for, has arrived. SA Science Lens, round number five, is underway. This is South Africa's only photographic competition, specifically aimed at illustrating and communicating the excitement and impact of science.

Antarctica Month includes TV coverage this year
The schedule of events planned for Antarctica Month - June 2007 - includes an animated clip on global warming, which airs on national television. Download the clip and view the full schedule of events on the Antarctica Month website

NSW 2007 - here's the programme
National Science Week 2007 runs from 12 to 19 May and is being celebrated under the theme "Tomorrow’s Science & Technology are in our Youth’s Hands".

Developing countries the focus of next world science journalism conference
The United Kingdom will host the next World Conference of Science Journalists, with a special focus on developing countries. SciDev.Net also reports on plans to raise funds for travel and accommodation.

Social sciences and humanities research in Antarctica?
There is a growing need for Antarctic-related research in the social sciences and humanities to obtain a deeper understanding of political, economic, and socio-cultural processes and pressures. A research network is to be set up to start filling this gap.

Don't forget ScopeX 2007 in Jhb
Interested in Astronomy, sky-gazing, astro-photography, buying/building a telescope? Come visit ScopeX - the Telescope & Astronomy Expo held annually on Astronomy Day. There will be an astrophotography workshop on Friday 20 April and the expo takes place on 21 April 2007.

Young Science Writers winners announced
The winners of the Saturday Star and SAASTA Young Science Writers Competition have been released. The winning entry was submitted by Dheshnie Govender, a PhD student at the University of Cape Town. The runners-up are: Rodain Joubert, Cayle Sharrock and Ernita van Wyk.

Call for Proposals: Science Communication Workshops
In support of its objectives to enhance coverage of science in the South African media, SAASTA offers workshops for: scientists, to support them to communicate their messages to the public; and media practitioners, to equip them to communicate science stories. Deadline: 14 February 2007.

Call for Proposals: DST Platform Months 2007
SAASTA has issued the call for proposals for funding within the DST Platform Months for 2007. The Platform Months are: Antarctica Month (June), Biosciences Month (August), African Origins Month (September), Astronomy Month (October).

ASCC - looking to the future
View the presentations and download the pics from the inaugural African Science Communication Conference.

New material on SciDev.Net's 'e-guide' to science communication
SciDev.Net has two valuable new resources on its e-guide discussing how to plan and write science stories and how to verify scientific claims.
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