CONTENTS

DID YOU KNOW ?

	91% of readers strongly agree that social media platforms could play a key role in attracting younger generations of South Africans to SET fields of study.

	3% say they are not sure (too many learners still don’t have internet access).

	6% disagree (the time and money could be better spent on outreach projects).

IT'S A FACT !
It’s like a real-life movie ... Scientists plan to smash a spacecraft into an asteroid - so they are prepared for the possibility they will have to stop one hurtling towards Earth. The news came as Nasa moved to calm fears that a comet is on a collision course with our planet. Read more

Out and about

Unlocking potential: The Nanotechnology Public Engagement Programme took centre stage at Lab Africa 2011, where more than 80 exhibitors gathered from around the world.	read
First-hand inspiration: In theory, practice is simple. But, is it simple to practice theory? Students attending the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity’s annual Winter School found out.	read
Science club excitement spreads: A brand new science club has been launched at Ivory Park High School in Thembisa, with more than 450 mathematics and science learners joining in the launch event.	read
Green ideas for a greener future: The National Zoological Gardens of South Africa asked Gauteng’s youth to be part of a debate around the conservation of biodiversity – and they jumped at the chance.	read
Science programme is electric: Enthusiasm for SAASTA’s Primary School Science Intervention programme is spreading like wildfire across the Western and Eastern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga and Venda.	read
The art of selling science: Here’s how 16 PhD, postdoctoral and Master’s students from the Science Postgraduate Students' Association at the University of Cape Town are learning to sell their science to the public.	read
Sweet, sweet astronomy: Just thinking of Astros, Mars Bars, Milky Ways and Milky Bars makes the mouth water. So, why not use this to the advantage of astronomy education?	read