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41% of getS.E.T.go! readers think that the most important benefit of hosting the Square Kilometre Array telescope, would be the boost it gives our international reputation as experts in this field. |
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37% opted for “attracting more young people into science and engineering”; and 22% for “foreign investment for local technology projects”. |
Scientists at Stellenbosch University have developed a high-tech "tea bag" filter that fits into the neck of a bottle and turns polluted water into clean water as you drink from it.
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Each year, the National Science & Technology Forum Awards recognise outstanding contributions towards science, engineering, innovation and technology. This year marked the 12th annual ceremony, with some 14 winners receiving accolades from the Minister of Science & Technology, Naledi Pandor.
SAASTA was the proud sponsor of the category “Science Communicator for Public Awareness over the last five years”, jointly won by Robert Inglis of Jive Media and David Kramer, Director, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre.
Robert Inglis, Director: Jive Media
Inglis was awarded for the Maloti Drakensberg Experience, and for the Mission MeerKAT comic series.
The Maloti Drakensberg Experience is a captivating and highly visual, yet practical book, researched over some five years. Written and published by Jive Media, the book unlocks the natural and cultural treasures of the Maloti Drakensberg Mountain region.
The Mission MeerKAT comic series, consisting of two eight-page comic books and six large pull-up banners, illuminates the world of radio astronomy for public audiences around South Africa. Through the adventures of the comic characters, the scientific and technical information around the Karoo Array Telescope (KAT), currently being built near Carnarvon in the Northern Cape, is uncovered, shedding light on the proposed Square Kilometre Array (SKA) – the largest Radio Telescope ever designed, and which South Africa is currently bidding to host.
David Kramer, Director: Sci-Bono Discovery Centre
Kramer was awarded for his substantial contribution to the communication of science in innovative ways to a wide audience.
The Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, under his directorship, is an independent non-profit Section 21 company and the largest science centre in Southern Africa. It aims to stimulate engagement with science and technology, improve teaching and learning in mathematics, science and technology, and increase interest in post-school careers in these fields. It offers a large collection of interactive exhibits and an annual calendar of events and activities for the general public but mostly for school learners and teachers. It also runs an outreach programme in disadvantaged schools, a teacher academy, an ICT training centre and the BHP Billiton Career Centre. In 2009, Sci-Bono hosted nearly 150 000 visitors and served 30 000 school learners through its outreach programme.