Browse all the NSW 2023 Events and Activities

National Science Week 2023 Theme

 “Transforming lives through the evidence-based science”.

The theme will expose the publics to the evidence-based approach of problem-solving and decision-making responding to the situations by using the available information that has been researched or experienced. It will inform the development of National Science Week activities across the diverse sectors and allow a robust engagement among the publics. It will entrench the concept of “science” as, “a systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation, experimentation, and the testing of theories against the evidence obtained”.

The observations will be on Energy and Agriculture as the two branches of science.

Sub-themes: Energy and Agriculture

Energy: Building sustainable electricity together – Power of community

  • The society will participate and share their experiences and opportunities that are associated with energy (“electricity and loadshedding”).
  • Schools and youths will be exposed to different career opportunities and skills in the energy industry which they can follow starting from subject choices to tertiary fields of study.

Agriculture: Advancing millets for a healthy diet

  • The 2023 is “The International Year of Millets (IYoM)”. Contribution of National Science Week will be to provide platforms for general awareness of the contribution of millet to food security, nutrition and production of millet and grain products.
  •  Youths will get opportunities to go farming and learners to take Agricultural Sciences subjects with a purpose of solving food security challenges.
Programme

Browse the events and activities happening during the National Science Week 2023.

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FAQs

The NSW 2023 will be conducted under the theme, Transforming lives through the evidence-based science.

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Acitivity Resources

Download your free NSW 2023 resources now.

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Guidelines

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) is the main sponsor for National Science Week (NSW) and therefore the following...

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Apply for a Grant

Invitations to apply for grant funding towards science engagement programmes are open to institutions/organisations that are specified in each Grant Call for Proposals.

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Webinars

Webinars will also allow the hosting organization/company to interact with an audience.

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Exhibitions

Live virtual exhibitions will take place on an interactive floor plan to showcase and demonstrate the application of science by the selected scientific institutions, particularly those that are funded by government.

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Documentaries

The production and dissemination of documentaries is meant for entertainment and educational (edutainment) purpose as a tool for science communication, popularisation and public engagement with science towards scientifically literacy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

National Science Week (NSW), is an annually celebrated initiative of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), a celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation (STEMI). It involves various stakeholders and/or role players who participate by conducting STEMI activities during the declared week. It is one of many initiatives conducted under the Science Engagement Strategy, which seeks to develop a society that is knowledgeable about science, able to form independent opinions about science and are scientifically literate.

This is a countrywide initiative to celebrate science involving various stakeholders and/or role players conducting science-based activities. The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), a business unit of the National Research Foundation (NRF), continues to play the role of National Project Manager for the National Science Week.

National Science Week is normally held during the first week of August each year. The dates for this year are 31 July - 05 August 2023 under the theme “Transforming lives through the evidence-based science”.

Various stakeholders, role players and interest groups will put together a package of exciting activities that promote awareness of the value of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation (STEMI) in people’s daily lives. Beyond National Science Week’s contributions to STEMI, it intends to expose the public, educators and learners to science-based careers, particularly for disadvantaged sections of the population.

You can search for on SAASTA's website.

Applying for a grant is a great way to be a part of National Science Week although there are many other ways to participate, such as going to an event – visit SAASTA's website for more details.

There is clear and useful information online about how to organise your own event, but the first step is to work out what you would like to do, and what you might need to make that happen. 

If you are planning your own Science Week event, get in contact with Ms. Bafedile Kgwadi at SAASTA:  BM.Kgwadi@saasta.nrf.ac.za.

You need to contact Ms. Bafedile Kgwadi at BM.Kgwadi@saasta.nrf.ac.za as an event organiser/Grant holder - she will be able to assist in uploading your event and activities on the website.

You can visit SAASTA’s website to check if the call is published. All science related activities are welcome, such as science shows, science workshops, science games etc. 

Yes you can - Contact Ms. Bafedile Kgwadi (BM.Kgwadi@saasta.nrf.ac.za) on how to apply.

The National Science Week programme is available on SAASTA's website.

The sections of society being targeted for participation are:

  1. Learners
  2. Educators
  3. Science interpreters
  4. Journalists
  5. General public
  6. Decision-makers
  7. Students
  8. Industry
  9. Tourists
  10. Indigenous knowledge holders
  11. Researchers and scientists
  1. The National Science Week 2022 was conducted under the theme “Celebrating the role of basic sciences in the modern world ”.
  2. The National Science Week 2021 was conducted under the theme “Making it possible through science”.

Multimedia

Ms. Bafedile Kgwadi

Project Coordinator
Email : BM.Kgwadi@saasta.nrf.ac.za
Call : (012) 392 9300

Ms. Brenda Edwards

Project Administrator
Email : BL.Edwards@saasta.nrf.ac.za
Call : (012) 392 9300