News in Brief - 2004

Here you'll find the latest News in Brief as published on our homepage during 2004.

Call for proposals: International Year of Physics grant

December 2004 - SAASTA is inviting the Science Centre Network including Science Councils and the NRF facilities to submit proposals for organising and implementing projects during 2005 which will contribute towards a focused awareness and participation of learners and educators in physics throughout South Africa. This is in response celebrating the International Year of Physics in 2005. Closing date: Friday, 28 January 2005 at 15:00.

	Invitation to quote for media and PR services for IYP 2005
	December 2004 - SAASTA invites you to attend a briefing session on media and PR services required to highlight South Africa's participation in the International Year of Physics 2005, in order for your company to submit a proposal and quotation. The briefing session will be held at 12:00 on Thursday 9 December 2004 at 211 Skinner Street, Pretoria.

	2004 SA Science Lens winners announced!
	December 2004 - Yet again, the SA Science Lens photography competition was highly successful. This round attracted 209 entries of a very high standard. Entries were received from all over South Africa from professional and amateur photographers, communicators, school learners, teachers, and research scientists.

	Media skills for research scientists
	November 2004 - Two of the world's best science communication trainers are coming to South Africa during November 2004. They will present a series of "Media Skills for Research Scientists" workshops in South Africa from 3 - 16 November 2004, sponsored by DST's Public Understanding of Biotechnology (PUB) Programme.

	SA Science Lens attracted exciting entries!
	November 2004 - The third round the SA Science Lens competition has been highly successful. The competition attracted hundreds of visually exciting and interesting entries. This is South Africa's only photographic competition specifically aimed at illustrating and communicating the excitement and impact of science. The winners will be notified towards the end of November 2004.

	South Africa celebrates astronomy during October 2004!
	October 2004 - The Department of Science and Technology has a vision to bring some understanding of the universe into the homes and lives of the people of South Africa. Join in the celebration by finding out more about astronomy and events around the country during October 2004!

	2005 Science Olympiad open for entries!
	October 2004 - Educators, we need you help to motivate and coordinate your learners to experience the thrill of competing with others from around the country in the Ispat Iscor National Science Olympiad. Learners in grades 10 - 12 may enter to compete for a range of exciting prizes.

	South African learners to participate in Pan African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO) 2004
	August 2004 - Four of South Africa's top mathematics learners, two of whom are girls, will compete with the best of their counterparts from across Africa in the Pan African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO) 2004.

	Afrikaans and Gebruiks-Afrikaans Olympiad merits and merit prizes
	July 2004 - The merit lists and merit prizes for the above Olympiads are available on thi website. These comprise both the national and provincial winners, as well as the winning schools.

	South Africa's top Science Olympiad achievers jet off to the London International Youth Science Forum
	July 2004 - Five top science learners, winners of the Ispat Iscor National Science Olympiad, jet off to London tonight to attend the London International Youth Science Forum.

National Research Foundation (NRF) launches six research centres of excellence

July 2004 - The NRF have launched the foundation's first six centres of excellence. The key activities of these centres are research to create and develop new knowledge, to provide access to a highly developed pool of knowledge, to maintain data bases, to promote knowledge sharing and knowledge transfer and to actively collaborate with reputable individuals, groups and institutions. They must also negotiate and help realise national, regional, continental and international partnerships.

	Online National Science Olympiad results available
	July 2004 - The results for the 2004 National Science Olympiad are available on the site and can be searched via school name and surname.

	Afrikaans and Gebruiks-Afrikaans Olympiad results
	July 2004 - The results for the above Olympiads are available on the site and can be searched via school name and surname.

Venus transits the Sun on Tuesday, 8 June

June 2004 - On 8 June 2004 the planet Venus will move as a black dot across the face of the Sun. No living human being has seen this rare event. It last happened in 1882. The next transition will be in 2012. Historically, these 'Transits of Venus' were of great importance, as they enabled the size of the solar system to be measured. Today this is done using radar. However it is possible for individuals across most of Africa to make simple observations of this transit and so establish for themselves the size of the solar system. This makes it a valuable educational exercise.

	Launch of NRF Ten Years of Democracy website
	May 2004 - This year South Africa celebrates its tenth anniversary of freedom and the National Research Foundation (NRF) celebrates its fifth anniversary. The NRF and its various business units are celebrating these two milestones throughout the year. You can read all about these activities on it's recently launched website: www.nrf.ac.za/tyd

	Participate in National Science Week from 10 - 15 May
	April 2004 - The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will host its annual National Science Week from 10 to 15 May 2004. The theme for the week is Exciting our youth with science in a democratic South Africa. National Science Week events will take place around the country. These include interactive exhibitions, lectures, workshops, displays, science broadcasts, quizzes and competitions.

	Enter the SA Science Lens photographic competition
	March 2004 - SAASTA is proud to announce the third round of its popular science photographic competition – SA Science Lens. This is South Africa's only photographic competition specifically aimed at illustrating and communicating the excitement and impact of science. Capture stunning, dramatic, spectacular images related to science and technology and enter this competition!

Southern Skies Challenge winners

February 2004 - To celebrate World Space Week in South Africa last year, young South Africans were invited to enter the Southern Skies Challenge with artworks, writing or models related to space sciences and astronomy in various categories. In total, 445 essays, models and artworks were entered. Prizes in this competition included computers, cash prizes and visits to the construction site of the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT).

	2003 SA Science Lens winners announced!
	January 2004 - Yet again, the SA Science Lens photography competition was highly successful. Compared to 160 entries in 2002, this round attracted 284 entries of a very high standard. Entries were received from all over South Africa from professional and amateur photographers, communicators, school learners, teachers, and research scientists.