SS Energy Issue 19

SCIENCESTARS Issue 19

ENERGY

Earth Fun Facts

70% 7 billion people on Earth

4.5 10 000km

of Earth’s surface is covered in water, with the rest being land mass.

billion years old

into space is how far the Earth’s atmosphere reaches up.

97% 3%

of the water is salt water/ocean is freshwater.

The Earth itself has 3 layers - the Crust, the Mantle and the Core.

C

84% of the Earth’s volume is the Mantle, with it being 2970km thick.

17 milliseconds is how long the Earth’s rotation is gradually slowing down for, every 100 years.

23 hours, 56 minutes and 4 seconds is how long it takes for the Earth to fully rotate, not 24 hours.

365 365 and a quater days is how long the Earth takes to orbit the sun.

100 1/3 of the Earth’s surface is desert, either partially or fully.

times per second the Earth is struck by lightning - that is 8.6 million times a day.

CONTENTS CONTENTS

FEATURES

1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3

2

HIGHLIGHTS FROM NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK 2018

7

HOW DO SOLAR PANELS WORK?

8

the effects of CLIMATE CHANGE

4 Profile: mokateko portia buthelezi

5 Profile: THAMSANQA MAWONGA

6

BOOK REVIEW + WIN A COPY!

7

INFOGRAPHIC: ALL ABOUT ENERGY

8

TOP ENERGY EFFICIENT COUNTRIES

0

INSPIRATION: STEPHEN HAWKING

1

TIPS FOR A BETTER STUDY SESSION

REGULARS

5 6 8 3 3 3 3 3

Foreword

EDITOR’S NOTE

COVER STORY

2

AVAILABLE BURSARIES

4

QUIZ

5

PUZZLES

6

ANSWERS

8

SCIENCE CENTRE

College of Science, Engineering and Technology School of Engineering

Don’t be left out! Apply to study Engineering at the University of South Africa and enjoy the opportunity to use our State-of-the-art laboratories.

Through open distance learning (ODL), the School of Engineering offers National Diploma and BTech courses in Engineering to students who are interested in becoming professional technicians or technologists in the following disciplines: National Diploma Engineering: Mechanical [NDEMC] Engineering: Industrial [NDENI] Engineering: Chemical [NDECE] Engineering: Electrical: Electronics and Electronic Communication [NDEEN- EEC] Engineering: Electrical: Power Engineering [NDEEN - PEN] Engineering: Electrical: Mechatronics [NDEEN - MEC] Engineering: Electrical: Clinical Engineering [NDEEN - CEN] Engineering: Electrical: Computer Systems [NDEEN - COS] Engineering: Electrical: Process Instrumentation [NDEEN - PIN] Engineering: Mining [NDMIN] Engineering: Civil [NDECI] Baccalaureus Technologiae Engineering: Mechanical [BTMEE] Engineering: Industrial [BTENI] Engineering: Chemical [BTENC] Engineering: Chemical: Environmental [BTECE] Engineering: Electrical: Power [BTELN-PEN] Engineering: Electrical: Process Instrumentation [BTELN-PIN] Engineering: Electrical: Telecommunications [BTELN-TEL] Engineering: Electrical: Computer Systems [BTELN-COS] Engineering: Electrical: Clinical [BTELN-CEN] Engineering: Civil: Structural [BTECV-STR] Engineering: Civil: Water [BTECV-WAT] Engineering: Civil: Environmental [BTECV-ENV] Engineering: Civil: Urban[BTECV-URB] Join us as a student, and develop yourself into a professional.

It is important to note that the National Diploma and BTech has practical Modules that have residential requirements (on campus for a number of days) as well as work-integrated learning that requires students to be placed in industry for up to a year.

For admission requirements Please refer to the MyChoice brochure or Visit www.unisa.ac.za/cset E-mail: cset@unisa.ac.za

Define tomorrow.

university of south africa

ED’S NOTE

team Science Stars

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Editor • Nadine Sims

Keeping the energy up

This time of the year is one of the most exciting on the South African science calendar. National Science Week kicked off on 28 July, under the theme ‘Deeping our democracy through science’.

As always, the week-long event brought stakeholders, students, academics and the general public together to celebrate and promote STEM. This was done through exciting events and activities that took place countrywide. We loved every bit of the event, and, as you’ll see on page 12, so did thousands of other people.

In this issue, while reporting back on National Science Week, our other key focus and overarching theme is energy. In South Africa, the subject of energy is an exciting and topical one. We see this as the nuclear debate and load shedding constantly make headlines.

Energy is a huge subject, with many different angles and aspects. In the cover story for this issue, you can learn about the three main types of energy sources that are prevalent in South Africa – turn to page 8 to find out more. On page 23, we break down what fracking actually is.

Graphic designer • Cinzia-Joey Swartz Contributing writers • Moeketsi Tigeli • Nicole Ludolph • Adrian Wicomb • Thembeka Ntuli-Mpapama • Zoe Fick Chairman • Madambi Rambuda Ambassador • Prof. Azwindinni Muronga Sales & Marketing Rep • Ntombizanele Thangayi

Subscriptions • info@sciencestars.co.za Copyright 2017 Roswika Media. All Rights Reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or any means, electronically or mechanically, without prior permission.

Science Stars is published by Roswika Media.

In this issue we are also running an exciting competition! You could be the lucky winner of a captivating book – to find out which book it is, turn to page 26.

Year after year, National Science Week has entertaining and thoughtprovoking interactive events, activities and engaging content on offer.

And this year was no different.

Lastly, my hope for this edition of Science Stars is that it teaches you something about STEM that you did not know before today.

Nadine Sims Editor

10th Floor, The Pinnacle 2 Burg Street Cape Town, 8000 021 839 2507 info@sciencestars.com www.sciencestars.co.za

6

Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

THE CSIR providing opportunities for young and upcoming

RESEARCHERS

L

aser technology benefits various domains of our

of light, describing a research field which aims to

modern existence through various devices such as;

generate, manipulate and detect photons – particles

lighting displays in entertainment, office equipment like

of light. It is an essential component of everyday

laser printers, DVD players at home, barcode scanners

technologies, addressing societal challenges such as

in the shops, surgical technology in hospitals or devices

energy generation, healthcare and security.

for cutting and welding industrial materials in factories.

People like Rendani Nemagovhani, a Laser Technician intern at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) National Laser Centre (NLC) can play a critical role in advancing laser technology knowledge to young people. As an intern, Rendani is responsible for operating and maintaining various laser systems and metallurgical laboratory work such as preparing samples and analysing them.

He holds a National Diploma in industrial physics with major streams in laser technology and material sciences from the Tshwane University of Technology. “Studying physics opens doors to a myriad of careers in many sectors. My interest in physics developed when I was still in high school and that is when I decided I was going to study a physics-related course in tertiary.”

Rendani enrolled for a diploma in industrial physics because he wanted to study something that incorporated photonics and metrology. Photonics is the science

I also saw that there were scarce skills in the field of photonics and laser technology, therefore I took this as an opportunity.”

Rendani would like to be a principal researcher and also further his studies. “The CSIR has given me an opportunity to learn a lot and to grow academically.

I would like to have a PhD degree in Physics before I reach the age of 30, he adds.”

He encourages those who would like to pursue a career in physics to take mathematics and physical science in high school and get good results. “Know your goal and aim towards achieving it by working hard. You need to be curious about how things work and why they work in a specific way,” he says. He also says that you need to be enthusiastic, patient and have a continuous desire to learn more.

COVER STORY

THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF ENERGY RESOURCES Eskom, the sole provider of electricity in South Africa, announced the start of “load shedding” – an occasional, deliberate shutdown of certain power systems – in 2008.

Essentially, due to the lack of coal supply and increasing demand, the power utility had to shut down electricity in parts of the country so as to prevent a national failure.

We need energy for heat, transportation for our roads, for light as well to produce and maintain all sorts of products. There are two different sources of energy, those that are renewable and non-renewable.

Non-renewable energy can be used up and disappear forever and is made up of fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas. In South Africa, we largely depend on fossil fuels, with coal being the main source of our electricity production.

Renewable energy sources, in comparison, do not run out. They include wind, solar (energy from the sun), biomass, hydropower and geothermal energy.

8

Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

COVER STORY

Non-renewable energy

made up of methane, CH4. Natural gas usually has no odour and is colourless.

The origin and use of fossil fuels

Before it is sent to the pipelines and

Natural gas, petroleum and coal are

storage tanks, it is mixed with organic

considered fossil fuels because they are

sulfides that give it a strong odour which

formed over millions of years by dead

makes it easier to detect a leak.

plants and animals. Their origins are so ancient, scientists claim they were formed

With current discoveries of gas reserves

before dinosaurs existed.

in South Africa, and the availability of natural gas in Mozambique and Namibia,

Coal

the Department of Energy has started

South Africa’s main source of energy supply

to develop regional-gas fields with the

is coal and we are among the top 10

hopes of introducing gas as an important

countries in coal production. The Minerals

source of energy.

Council of South Africa dates the discovery and commercial mining of coal all the way

Petroleum

back to the 1880s, in the Witwatersrand

The first time liquid fuel production was

and KwaZulu-Natal regions.

licensed in South Africa was in 2005 and in the very same year, 23 571 million litres

According to the Department of Energy,

of liquid fuels were produced locally. Of

approximately 77% of South Africa’s

this amount, 36% was locally produced

primary energy needs are provided by coal.

synthetic fuels (a mixture of hydrogen

About 28% of our coal is exported to other

and carbon monoxide) and the rest was

countries. Being the main supplier of our

imported crude oil.

electricity, Eskom has struggled to keep up with the demand from the South African

Despite being considered a hazardous

public over the years.

substance with limited resources and a leading cause of pollution, petroleum

Natural gas

is one of the most valuable fuels in

The discovery of natural gas is traced

the world. It’s used for transportation,

back to Iran some 6 000 years before the

electricity generation and material

common era, or the modern times. Natural

production. The pursuit of petroleum has

gas is less dense than air, and is mostly

attracted controversy.

Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

9

COVER STORY

Renewable energy

Water (Hydropower) In a hydroelectric power station, river or

Wind

dam, water is transferred to a hydraulic

Through the use of wind turbines that look

turbine. Using the force of the water, the

like giant windmills, South Africa is able

turbine turns and drives a generator rotor,

to generate a fair amount of electricity.

generating electricity. After the water has

With more than 13 wind farms between

completed its task, it is discharged back

the Western and Eastern Cape provinces

into the river downstream of the

producing over 200 megawatts (MW), there

power station.

is enough to power up three small cities of 100 000 residents. Energy generated

As it stands, one third of the world has

from the wind is arguably the cleanest

developed hydropower systems. Areas

and most environmentally friendly method

where water is scarce, such as in South

of energy production – no harmful gas

Africa, have found it difficult to fully

emissions and no fuel costs in production.

harvest hydropower. Asia and South

The only downside is the noise caused

America have the greatest hydropower

when these giant windmills operate.

production potential due to their abundant water reserves.

Solar Solar energy is viewed as an excellent

Nuclear energy

alternative due to the fact that it costs us

In the process of nuclear fusion, two atoms

nothing to produce, safe for the costs of

come together to create one large atom.

production, implementation and set up

In nuclear fission, atoms break and form

of solar panels. In 2016, South Africa had

smaller atoms, in both cases, atomic energy

over 1 300MW of readily installed solar

is released.

power. The government aims to achieve an output of over 8 000MW by 2030. Over the

South Africa is the only country with a

years since its implementation, more than

nuclear power plant in all of Africa. The

30 000 homes have been powered by solar

Koeberg power station in Cape Town

energy. South Africa also boasts one of

produces 1.86 gigawatts of energy, and

the largest solar power stations in Africa,

according to Eskom, the nuclear station

the 96MW- producing Jasper Solar Energy

has supplied approximately 4.4% of South

Project.

Africa’s total electricity needs since 1984.

SCIENCE STARS BUILDING LEGENDS

021 839 2507 info@sciencestars.co.za www.sciencestars.co.za /sciencestars.faceb.co.za @ScienceStarsSA

REPORT BACK

NATIONAL SCIENCE

WEEK 2018

MISSED IT? WE BRING THE BEST MOMENTS TO YOU! By: Adrian Wicomb The annual National Science Week is

Nelson Mandela who would’ve celebrated

various special events during a pre-launch

a date that should be marked on every

his 100 birthday on 18 July. Different

of National Science Week. These events

science lover’s calendar! For a full week,

themes are chosen each year to attract a

included workshops, a chemistry show,

hundreds of eager students, academics,

vast number of individuals, and as always,

a rocket launch and many more. The

scientists and science enthusiasts gather

the chosen theme did not disappoint.

university’s faculty of science travelled to

th

across South Africa to partake in activities,

the birthplace of Nelson Mandela, Mvezo.

workshops and lectures – all in celebration

National Science Week’s aim is to broaden

of science.

the science community by creating

In collaboration with the Nelson Mandela

educational platforms for individuals

School of Science and Technology, the

This year, National Science Week kicked

to partake and understand the limitless

Nelson Mandela University science

off on 28 July with the national launch

potential that lies in the field of science.

students provided motivational talks to

event, which took place at the University

With the support of the Department of

the youth to inspire and motivate pupils

of Mpumalanga in Nelspruit. This is where

Science & Technology (DST) and the South

to become interested in science and

keynote speakers, including the Minister

African Agency for Science and Technology

pursue careers in this broad field.

of Science and Technology, Mmamoloko

Advancement (SAASTA), National Science

Kubayi-Ngubane, officially launched the

Week is a countrywide event. Multiple

The events of National Science Week

week-long event.

events took place simultaneously at nine

create a learning platform for those

different sites, in each of the provinces.

interested in science, those working in

The theme for this year was 'Deepening

the field, the general public and those

our Democracy through Science' in

On 18 July, the Nelson Mandela University

that may not understand the endless

commemoration to the legacy of the late

celebrated the life of Mandela by hosting

opportunities that the field of STEM holds.

12

Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

REPORT BACK

Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

13

PROFILE

A blossoming career

PhD student Jane Segobola shares her passion with us

S

oon after completing her

and tomorrow not, and you would not even

form part of products that are going

undergraduate studies, PhD student

know why,” says Jane.

to be commercialised by the Council

Jane Segobola made up her mind

for Scientific and Industrial Research‘s

that she was going to pursue a career

As a PhD student, Jane’s project involves

(CSIR) with the aim of contributing to

in research. She discovered, after a brief

exploring unique South African fynbos soil

the science world, creating jobs and

working stint, that the career path she

samples from the Kogelberg Biosphere

enhancing the bio-economy,” she adds.

initially decided to take was not aligned to

Reserve. The Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve,

her goals.

in the Cape floral kingdom, is one of the

Jane says that she and the team she is

world’s biodiversity hotspots, with high

working with on the project have already

“As soon as I started working I realised

unique plant and microbial diversity.

discovered enzymes that are distinctive

that routine work was not what I wanted

“We are using bioprospecting techniques

compared to what is currently seen in

to do. I did not want to wake up every day

(refers to the procedure of exploration,

the market.

and just go to work. I wanted to expand

extraction, screening and trading of new

my thinking and my horizons,” she says.

products using biological diversity as a

She attributes the progress she has

Her steadfastness eventually paid off and

source) to extract value from the unique

charted thus far in her career to her work

today, she is doing what she loves and is

micro-organisms that are found in the soil.

ethic and the support she has received

thriving at it.

We believe that the enzymes that we will

from the people she works with. “At the

extract from there will be distinctive.

end of the day, you just have to work as

“I love research. I love waking up every

hard as possible. We are working in a

day and coming here to learn new things,

As part of the start-up initiative (Cape

male-dominated environment which is a

find solutions and to work with micro-

Bio), the products that are going to

challenge on its own. However, you need

organisms; today they can decide to grow

be derived from the soil are going to

to pace yourself and work twice as hard,”

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Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

PROFILE

says Jane, who majored in microbiology

Jane regards winning a travelling award

equality challenge with both parties, and

and biochemistry for her undergraduate

to Germany as one of her most significant

to mentor, support and promote women

degree (University of Venda) and

achievements thus far. “The trip was

at universities and research institutions,”

microbiology for her honours degree and

life changing. I used the opportunity

she says.

master’s degree (University of Pretoria).

to showcase my work, network and

She is currently studying for her PhD with

collaborate with other international

When she was younger, Jane enjoyed

the University of Pretoria.

scientists,” she adds.

participating in ballroom and modelling competitions. However, she has since

Jane says she is motivated by the success

She believes that with adequate support,

swapped these hobbies for reading,

of the people who work in the same

young women have the ability to break

watching movies and sometimes

environment as hers and by her mother,

barriers and to have access to the same

marathons that she partakes in when she

who is always seeking ways to improve

opportunities as their male counterparts.

is not spending time with her husband,

herself by regularly studying.

“Society should ensure that there is equal

two children and the rest of her family. “I

access of funding for both genders. At the

used to enter pageants but that is all in

“If I encounter any challenges I read up

moment, I think that women are being

the past now,” she laughs.

on other people’s experiences and chat to

overlooked."

those around me. It really calms me down

So, what does the future hold for this

when I know that I am not the only one

"A solution that will benefit everyone

dedicated young woman? Jane says when

going through challenges. I work with a

and not just men needs to be found. The

she eventually decides to settle down in

strong team that always shares ideas. It

first step towards a positive solution is

her profession, she would like to become

also motivates me to keep going,” she says.

to acknowledge and discuss the gender

an academic.

Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

15

IDENTITY IS IN THE

EYE OF THE BEHOLDER “Dare to be different, but at the same time, stay true to yourself.” GUGULETHU MABUZA-HOCQUET These are very appropriate words indeed from the woman who has committed her research to identity protection.

The way Gugu sees it, your identity is all you really have – and the answer to protecting it, lies in iris biometrics.

She is exploring the unique iris properties of the South African population that may just hold the key to a uniquely South African security encryption system.

“Your iris does not only hold information such as your age, gender and race, it also says you are part of a demographic mix that is not found elsewhere in the world. Now imagine a future where those unique features in your eyes will protect the most valuble thing you have – your identity.”

Gugu describes the way she ended up in science as a “beautiful accident”. It’s certainly one to be thankful for.

BRIGHT YOUNG SCIENTISTS BEHIND IDEAS THAT WORK. www.csirideasthatwork.co.za

SOLAR PANELS

HOW DO SOLAR PANELS WORK? You’ve probably seen them resting on

panels are putting back onto the grid. AC

rooftops, waiting to be powered up, but

electricity is passed from the solar panels

how exactly do solar panels work? And are

(with the use of wires and cables) to the

they really that effective?

net meter.

The answer is yes! Sunlight is the most

Step 4 – lights on!

abundant source of renewable energy – as

Once the electricity passes through the net

long as the sun shines we will be able to

meter, it is ready for use inside your home

produce energy from it. But how do we do

or building. This energy can be used as

this? We take a look:

needed for lights or any appliances inside, provided enough electricity has been

Step 1 – collecting sunlight

generated and stored.

Solar panels contain photovoltaic (PV)

FUN FACT!

direct current (DC) electricity. In order

What happens when there is no sunlight?

The sun provides enough solar energy

for DC electricity to be able to power up

At night or during rainy seasons, the

in a single hour to supply the world

your home or a building, the next step is

amount of sunlight that we experience is

necessary.

minimal or non-existent. How then does

cells that turn light (or photons) into

with power for a whole year!

solar energy benefit us? Solar energy can

Step 2 – creating usable energy

be saved using a utility grid or battery

An inverter, placed at the back of a solar

bank (this allows for the solar energy to

panel, is able to convert DC electricity into

be converted into electricity and saved for

usable energy called alternating current

later use).

(AC) electricity. Now, there needs to be a way of taking AC electricity and making use of it.

DID YOU KNOW? Energy, in the form of protons, is released by

Step 3 – powering up the net meter A net meter is a device that measures the amount of power being drawn from

the sun. Those protons take 8.5 minutes to travel the distance between the sun and earth almost 150 million kilometers!

the grid as well as the power the solar

Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

17

ENVIRONMENT

A LOOK AT THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE All you need to know about the earth's biggest problem By: Nicole Ludolph

T

he media is filled with articles and

as one of the factors that is affecting the

according to the National Aeronautics and

warnings about climate change,

city’s future water security.

Space Administration (NASA), we need to

urging the public to make efforts

mitigate the effects thereof and adapt to

to save the environment, go green and

Cape Town is currently experiencing its

the changes in environment and weather.

reduce the effects of global warming.

worst drought in over 100 years, with

The carbon dioxide already released into

citizens having to ration their water use to

the atmosphere will remain there for

But what exactly is climate change?

ensure that their taps do not run dry. The

thousands of years.

According to Weather SA, it is a natural,

mayor of Cape Town, Patricia de Lille, has

expected phenomenon. The earth’s climate

described the city as a permanent drought

But it needn’t be all doom and gloom. Our

changes from warm to cold cycles, and

region and says the water shortage is the

role now is to limit the release of carbon

takes hundreds of years to move from one

“new normal”.

dioxide into the atmosphere by using

cycle to another. However, modern human

renewable energy such as solar power,

influence is causing the climate to change

Can climate change be stopped?

wind energy and hydropower. These

much faster than it should.

The short answer is no. Climate change

renewable sources are not limited and

has already begun to take effect, and

cause no damage the atmosphere.

The primary cause of climate change is the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from burning coal, oil and natural gas. The heat emitted by the earth normally passes through the atmosphere into space, but the excess carbon dioxide prevents the heat from passing through the atmosphere and instead reflects it back to the earth. The temperature is increasing faster than plants and animals can adapt, and erratic weather patterns are evident. Air temperature in SA is expected to rise by 2°C over the next century.

Why is climate change bad?

Climate change, also called global warming, is affecting the planet in a number of negative ways. It is linked to extreme weather across the globe, including devastating droughts, excessive flooding, wildfires and hurricanes. In Cape Town, for instance, climate change is listed

RENEWABLE SOURCES

IS ALTERNATIVE ENERGY OUR PLAN A? How alternative energy benefits us By: Nicole Ludolph

L

ife as we know it today would be

alternative, energy sources to supplement

Wind energy is the generation of

very different without the presence

the coal-fired plants we have been using

electricity using the wind. The kinetic

of electricity. It’s a modern-day

to generate electricity.

energy of the wind is converted to

necessity that improves our lives in little ways that often go unnoticed.

mechanical power, which in turn is

What is renewable energy?

converted into electricity by a generator.

Sourced from the harnessing of natural In South Africa, coal-fired plants provide

processes, renewable energy is more

Renewable energy in South Africa

most of us with electricity. Coal falls into

sustainable than non-renewable

Energy is measured in megawatts (MW),

the category of fossil fuels and is a non-

energy, and is infinitely better for the

and South Africa’s National Development

renewable source of energy, as the amount

environment.

Plan states that our country aims to

of coal on earth is limited. In the last few

procure at least 20 000MW of renewable

decades, scientists have been denouncing

There are many different types of

our use of coal-fired plants as they

renewable energy sources such as solar

attribute the burning of fossil fuels to the

energy, wind energy and hydropower. The

Eskom, the country’s electricity producer,

acceleration of climate change.

South African government will be focusing

currently generates 34 000MW. In

mostly on solar power and wind energy.

May 2018, our government signed 27

The burning of coal releases carbon

electricity by 2030.

renewable energy agreements to start the

dioxide into the atmosphere, which traps

Solar energy is the conversion of energy

process. According to the Department of

heat against the earth’s surface. The excess

emitted by sunlight, into electricity. It

Energy, the projects will generate 61 000

heat is causing extreme weather across

uses two types of technologies to do so:

full-time jobs.

the globe, resulting in property damage

Photovoltaic (PV) and Concentrated Solar

and the loss of many lives.

Power (CSP). PV systems convert solar

With climate change affecting our lives

energy into electricity directly, with the

as drastically as it has, it is evident that

The effects of climate change can no

help of solar panels. CSP plants use solar

renewable energy sources will soon go

longer be ignored, so governments across

energy to make steam, which is turned

from being an alternative energy source to

the world are looking at renewable, or

into electricity by a turbine.

a necessity.

RECYCLING

Recycle, Reuse, Reduce Tips and tricks to being sustainable By: Zoe Fick Recycling energy has become a major

or plastic bottles made specifically from

are a great way to teach learners the

priority for communities and countries

recycled materials which are available to

importance of preserving the natural

alike all across the globe. The emphasis

purchase at retailers for ± R20.

environment in a practical and fun way.

2

5

The reason recycling energy is

remember to wash and reuse regularly.

part of a science fair. Many sustainability

fundamental is because our natural

Many fast food chains are in the process

initiatives in South Africa use recyclable

environment produces a select amount

of switching to disposable cutlery that is

crafts as a means of generating income

of resources and minerals to be extracted

made of only biodegradable materials.

for SMMEs. Why not think of a way of

on recycling energy was spurred by the impact of climate change on the environment in recent years.

Straws and plastic cutlery – Avoid the use of these major polluters. Purchase

a silly straw at a novelty store and

and these are under strain. Therefore, we need to look to alternative methods.

can do your bit to recycle energy:

3

places on the aluminium industry to produce these cans. By recycling aluminium cans we can save up to 95% of

1

Plastic bottles – These are major menace to the environment as they

pollute the streets and oceans. Convert to using either a hydro flask, glass bottle

22

repurpose recyclable materials, crafts

can be fun for a class initiative or as

turning your household waste into a

Aluminium cans - Many of us are unaware of the strain our consumption

Below are a few neat tips as to how you

Crafts – A creative way to reuse and

its core material.

4

product you can sell in your community?

6

Canvas and hemp – Making the switch to hemp or canvas carrier bags and

satchels is a much more eco-friendly option than using plastic bags. One of the biggest pollutants despite being a once-

Incentive – Starting recycling drives

off use product, plastic bags take years to

and green initiatives in schools

biodegrade and often end up in the ocean.

Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

FRACKING

WHAT THE FRACK? How the fracking process works

T

he search for alternative energy resources has been one of humanity’s main focuses. It is no secret that humans and their rate of energy consumption has affected the world

negatively. A recent discovery of the alternative energy source called ‘fracking’ has caused both controversy and excitement.

Fracking is the process of drilling into the earth at high pressure, with the result being the release of gas. From an environmental point, fracking is harmful to the environment and a recent study has found that it is highly probable that the drilling could result in tremors.

On the other end of the spectrum, it is a move away from the depleting supply of fossil fuels and makes sense economically.

Steps: 1. Drilling of wells To ensure access to aquifers (groundwater rocks), drilling has to be done by means of hydraulic fracturing or fracking.

2. Fracturing fluid This is a mixture of water, sand and chemicals. The pressure caused by pumping this fluid through the drill pipes causes the surrounding rock to crack. This mixture is said to have over 600 different chemicals and as much as 80-300 tons of chemicals are

The three main ‘ingredients’ are:

used for each frack.

1. Water – Tens of thousands of gallons to millions of gallons 3. Pumping fluid

per well drilled.

Using a cased steel pipe, fracturing fluid is pumped down the well at a vertical distance of 2 000 metres. A similar distance is

2. Proppant – The gritty sand or small ceramic balls that lodge

covered horizontally making the pipe bend in a giant L-shape.

in the fractured rock, holding the cracks open so oil or gas can flow through. Water and proppant make up around 99% of

4. Extraction of shale gas

fracking fluid.

This is perhaps the most crucial part of the process. A perforation gun is lowered in the pipe, causing explosive charges to open

3. Fracking chemicals – Over 600 different lubricating and

small holes where the fracking fluid is pumped in at high

gelling agents as well as antimicrobial chemicals. These help to

pressure from the surface. This causes more rock formation cracks

carry the proppant and improve the quantity and quality of oil or

where the oil and gas can escape and is recovered.

gas recovered. They account for less than 1%.

Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

23

PROFILE

FIVE MINUTES WITH

A COMPUTING PRO Meet senior lecturer Mokateko Portia Buthelezi Compiled by: Thembeka Ntuli-Mpapama business opportunities for themselves. The youth are also provided with a platform for showcasing their skills in a hackathon.

In the cybersecurity awareness team, we address the security issues related to using the internet and keeping personal information safe while using the internet.

In the Chance to Advance project, I present workshops to communities on using the internet as well as using social media for business purposes.

SS: What does success mean to you?

MPB: Success means continuously improving myself, being dynamic and having the ability to change with change.

Having a teachable spirit and an open mind. To learn from everyday experiences Science Stars (SS): Tell us about yourself.

SS: What advice would you offer those

and interactions with others. I seek first to

Mokateko Portia Buthelezi (MPB): I am an

who are interested in pursuing this path?

understand and then to be understood.

academic in the Computer Science sub-

MPB: They should have the patience to

division within the School of Computing

teach and the willingness to simplify

SS: Share your career highlights with us.

in the College of Science, Engineering and

the technical concepts for others to

MPB: Participating in the 2012 Young

Technology at Unisa.

understand. Most importantly, understand

Academics Programme; being part of

and highlight to students, the real-life

the 2013 delegation to the University

applicable scenarios of what you teach.

of Mumbai for initial discussions on

SS: Why did you decide to work at Unisa?

Nanotechnology and other collaborations;

MPB: The main factor is my passion for improving the lives of others. I couldn’t

SS: Which community engagement

working with the MathsEdge community

be a fairy, so this is as close as it gets! I

projects are you involved in?

engagement team to improve the learner

suppose teaching brings people one step

MPB: ICT for Development (ICT4D): I am

perceptions of Mathematics and joining

closer to making their academic dreams

involved in the cybersecurity awareness,

the Chance to Advance project.

come true. I can channel my passion

and the university-level Chance to

for helping others through teaching,

Advance community engagement projects.

In my studies, I achieved the runner-up

community engagement and research.

In the ICT4D project, the team has

award for Best Poster Presentation in the

partnered with the Siyabuswa Education

Natural and Physical Sciences Student

SS: What are the major qualifications for

Improvement and Development Trust

Research and Innovation Showcase for my

success in computing?

(SEIDET) in Siyabuswa, Mpumalanga. In

master’s proposal work in 2013. My all-

MPB: A degree in the related field – either

the project, a selection of unemployed

time highlight was receiving an invitation

Computer Science, Information Systems or

youth get equipped with programming

to the Golden Key International Honour

Information Technology.

skills in order to empower them to create

Society. I have been a member since 2005.

24

Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

PROFILE

MEET THAMSANQA MAWONGA’S GREEN FINGERS This is how he’s overcome obstacles

T

hamsanqa Mawonga is a student

Although he was unable to attend

PhD student, a trainee at ARC-Soil, and

completing his PhD at the

university for an entire year after

a GreenMatter member, Thamsanqa’s

University of Venda and he is

completing matric, his grandmother kept

research involves the study of the

also a registered soil science student at

faith in him. “I remember when I finished

effectiveness of surface roughness while

the Agricultural Research Council (ARC).

matric in 2006, she said to me, ‘kufuneka

conserving soil and water.

With years of determination and support,

uhambe uyofunda’ which means ‘You must

30-year-old Thamsanqa has kept his eye

go and study’,” says Thamsanqa.

on the goal.

Showing immense gratitude for his GreenMatter fellowship, a network funded

In 2008, he registered at the University

by the Lewis Foundation and SANBI,

Growing up in rural Aliwal-North in the

of Fort Hare and received his Bachelor of

Thamsanqa says that, “It has expanded

Eastern Cape, Thamsanqa faced many

Science degree in Agriculture in the year

my viewpoints and continues to help by

obstacles. Regardless of these challenges

2011. Subsequently, in 2012 he obtained

making available the valuable knowledge

he completed his primary and secondary

his Honours degree in the same field. In

that aids me to excel in my career.”

education, a feat he attributes to the

2016, Mawonga went on to receive his

support of his grandmother.

Master of Science in Agriculture at the

Thamsanqa hopes to research ways

University of KwaZulu-Natal.

that could solve problems that various

Despite never being to university herself,

societies are currently facing and aims

Thamsanqa’s grandmother was relentless

Thamsanqa was one of the few students

to partake in social entrepreneurship in

in her efforts to educate her grandson.

who partook in an international discussion

the near future. With the support from

Enduring financial difficulties, she took

class that was hosted by the University of

his grandmother and the GreenMatter

out a loan in order for him to attend an

Fort Hare along with Purdue University in

fellowship, he was capable of achieving

institution of higher learning.

the US and Kenya University. Being a

his dreams.

Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

25

UNDER THE BOOK COVER We show you why The Amazing Coelacanth

by Mike Bruton should be on your bookshelf

This colourful, illustrated book documents the story of the coelacanth, a fish thought to have been extinct for millions of years. The author, Mike Bruton, writes about the discovery of the first coelacanth in 1939 when it was caught in a fish net along the coast near East London. The rare discovery made world news.

Before that, the fish was only known by its fossil remains.

The book is broken up into chapters and covers various topics about the coelacanth – what it is, why it is so special, the modern coelacanth and many more fishy facts. There is also a very helpful glossary at the back of the book. The mixture of pictures, illustrations and fun facts, makes sure that each page is interesting and visually entertaining.

Bruton studied under JLB Smith, who was the first to identify a living coelacanth. Specialising in fish biology and conservation, Bruton not only writes about the coelacanth, in chapter 3 he helps the reader develop a better understanding about fish in general.

If you would like to uncover more intriguing details about this peculiar fish, the book is available for R130 (cost may differ) at major bookstores across the country.

Stand a chance of winning a copy of this book by following the simple instructions below: 1/ Follow our Facebook page 2/ Like our post about the coelacanth 3/ Tag a friend in the comments Competition ends on 31 August 2018

INFOGRAPHIC

Energy explained What is a watt?

What is energy?

A watt is the standard metric unit of power

Energy is the capacity of doing work and can exist in various forms.

Kinetic

VS

Potential

Motion

VS

Position

Mechanical

Chemical

Electrical

Nuclear

Thermal

Gravitational

Radiant

Elastic

Sound

Real-life examples

Work it out Energy can be calculated using these formulas: Kinetic energy: KE = 0.5 x mv2 M = mass of the object in kilograms V = speed of the object in m/s

When a hammer is raised

up in the air, it possesses

potential energy due to its position.

As soon as the hammer starts coming down, the potential energy is converted to

Potential energy: PE = m x g x h

kinetic energy as the object is in motion.

m = mass in kilograms h = height in metres Total mechanical energy = kinetic + potential energy

Conservation of energy Energy can be converted to various forms

BUT

g = gravitational acceleration (9.8m/s on earth)

Cannot be created or destroyed.

CASE STUDIES

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY Top five countries going green By: Moeketsi Tigeli In the last issue of Science Stars we focused on the 4th Industrial Revolution, which included everything from automated cars, Artificial Intelligence, and many more exciting technological

3

advances. These creations of humanity, however, need energy to

Norway – Norwegians are known for their mountains, glaciers,

be powered and function optimally.

green spaces and most recently, their use of electric/hybrid cars.

The country received a global rank of 75% readiness for a shift

Countries and businesses alike are looking toward alternative

towards sustainable energy. As it stands 88.4% of the population

energy for the future; these energies are considered renewable,

uses water power, which produces 262.13 billion kWh worth of

recyclable or permanent. According to the World Economic

electricity usage.

Forum’s Energy Transition Index 2018, the following five countries are the top energy efficient countries:

4 Switzerland – Apart from their famed chocolates, the Swiss’

1

renewable energy consumption was at 34.4% in 2015. These included wind, solar, biomass and geothermal energy sources.

Sweden – This country takes first place for two reasons: the first

With a global ranking of 72.9%, Switzerland is ready for a future free of fossil fuels.

is their use of renewable energy – up to 83% of Sweden’s energy production comes from nuclear and hydroelectric (water) power.

The second reason is this high level of alternative energy use drastically reduced the country’s carbon emissions, making it the top environmentally sustainable nation.

Finland – Neighbours to Sweden and Norway,

5

Finland is considered 72.4% ready to be fully sustainable in their energy usage.

According to the Finland Statistics’ 2017 energy

2

Denmark – A significant drop of 21% in coal consumption as an energy resource was followed by an 11% increase in renewable energy use. In 2017 renewable energy usage made up 32.3%

consumption report, renewable energy use was at a record high

of consumption, ensuring the Danes make it into the top five

of 36%, with their use of fossil fuels falling by 5%.

energy efficient countries.

28

Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

INSPIRATION

STEPHEN HAWKING One of the greatest minds of our time By: Adrian Wicomb release of his first book in 1988 – A Brief History of Time. Exploring the questions around the universe and how it functions, the book made the London Sunday Times best-seller list for four years running.

A Brief History of Time was the first of Hawkings’ many books and in 2014, a biographical film, The Theory of Everything, was released.

“I would like to be thought of as a scientist who just happens to be disabled, rather than a disabled scientist.”

– Stephen Hawking At the age of 21, Hawking was diagnosed with a rare motor neuron disease that gradually paralysed him as the years passed by. Although day-to-day tasks that we often take for granted were a Today, Stephen William Hawking is a

famous for his role in the understanding

challenge for him, he eventually went on

celebrated and respected scientist due

the nature of black holes and the origins

to start a family of his own and continued

to his many contributions to science in

of the universe.

his research. Eventually Hawking lost

recent decades. An author, cosmologist

his speech, making it hard for him to

and a theoretical physicist, Hawking left

The possibility of time travel was aided

communicate, but that did not stop

behind a large legacy with many scientific

by his various contributions and theories.

him. He later made use of a device that

breakthroughs that shaped the minds of

Hawking’s most noticeable work proved

allowed him to generate speech with the

many. Hawking, considered to be one of

that black holes should not only be black

use of his facial muscles.

the greatest minds of our era, was born

but they also emit an amount of radiation

on 8 January 1942 in England and passed

that allows the phenomenon to evaporate

Hawking received numerous honours and

away on 14 March 2018 at the age of 76.

and later completely disappear. This

awards in his lifetime and inspired many

radiation was named Hawking Radiation.

to follow their dreams. He is buried at

After years of extensive work in

Westminster Abbey in London, next to to

cosmological research at the University

Hawking’s worked received universal

the likes of Charles Darwin, Isaac Newton

of Cambridge, Hawking became most

acclaim and his popularity grew with the

and other late greats.

30

Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

STUDY TIPS

STUDYING MADE EASY Five easy tips for your upcoming exams

By: Adrian Wicomb

Have you ever studied for long hours during the day and then struggled to recollect the subject matter later? Do you enter the exam room nervous and unprepared? If so, do not panic! Below are five quick tips that may help you before and during your exams.

Healthy body; healthy mind Visualise your body as a car… like any

Avoid procrastination

vehicle, your body needs fuel to power

We’ve all been found guilty of this a few

it. Balanced meals with good vegetable

times! Procrastination is your biggest

portions will help you focus. Pair a healthy

enemy during exam season, so how do you

diet with enough water to stay hydrated

solve this problem? Well, that could be

throughout the day. Water refreshes the

easier than you think. Stay organised by

body and helps to retain information.

planning your time well – create a study timetable to keep yourself on track with the pending workload. The key to passing any exam is to study well in advance; this allows one to cover a larger scope of work without late-night cramming.

Test yourself

Find a study zone

Take a break

No noise and a break from technology

Do not overwork yourself. Taking a break

while studying creates less distractions.

is just as important as studying, because

In order to stay focused, find a suitable

it allows our brains to retain information

place to study – away from friends and

and prevents us from tiring out too soon.

Students often make the mistake of only

family, in a well-lit room with proper

During the exam periods especially you

reading over their study material and this

ventilation. If your home is noisy, visit

need to be well rested to increase your

generally makes it easier to forget the

your nearest library or sit in a quiet park

performance and overall mood. Regular

work you spent hours trying to revise.

while you go through your work. There

breaks can also ease the anxiety that you

Asking yourself questions after any given

are studying facilities all around if you

may be facing.

section of work is known to be effective

look closely enough. Be sure to make use

in remembering. Create a challenge for

of all your resources.

yourself – even though it may be hard at first, you will gradually notice your hard work paying off.

Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

31

BURSARIES

Find your 2019 funding here HORTGRO Bursary

South African Reserve Bank Bursary

Telkom Bursary

What does it cover?

A limited amount for tuition, student accommodation and textbooks.

Fields of study - Agricultural Economics - Biochemistry - Entomology and Nematology - Genetics - Horticulture - Microbiology - Plant Pathology - Research and Technical - Soil/ Water Science Who can apply?

This bursary is open to South African citizens who have completed or are currently in matric and have met the admission requirements of one of the aforementioned courses of study.

How can I apply?

Download an application form online, complete it and attach the following documentation: certified copies of your ID, matric certificate or latest results if currently in matric, proof of tertiary registration along with a breakdown of study fees, certified copies of the IDs and proof of income of your parents/guardians.

Post your application to: HORTGRO, PO Box 163, Paarl, 7620 Or deliver it to: 258 Main Road, Paarl, 7646 Who to contact Astrid Arendse at HORTGRO on 021 870 2900 or via email at astrid@hortgro.co.za Closing date 15 August 2018

What does it cover?

Study-related expenses to a maximum of R95 000 per annum. There may be opportunities for holiday work at the South African Reserve Bank (SARB).

Once students have graduated, they will be required to work within the Graduate Development Program at SARB for a period of time as long as their bursary was granted.

Fields of study Open to Commerce-related fields: - Accounting - Economics - Business Science - Actuarial Science - Law Who can apply?

South African citizens who are currently in matric or who have completed matric with an overall average of 65% and intend on studying full-teat a recognised institution in South Africa.

How can I apply?

Submit your application form along with a certified copy of your ID, a passport photo and your final Grade 11 results or your matric certificate to: 1) applications@careerwise.co.za 2) Fax: 086 609 7183 3) Career Wise (Pty) Ltd ,PO Box 30632, Braamfontein, 2017 Who to contact Direct any enquiries via email to applications@careerwise.co.za Closing date Submission of applications is open all year round

What does it cover?

Tuition, student accommodation, textbooks and a living allowance.

Recipients of the bursary will be required to work for Telkom once they have graduated. The employment period will be equal to the length of which the bursary was granted.

Fields of study - Computer Science - Electronic Engineering - Computer Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Information Technology Who can apply?

South African citizens who are in proven need of financial assistance may apply for this bursary. Applicants must have completed matric with a minimum grade of 60% or “C� symbol in Maths, English and Science.

How can I apply?

Collect an application form from a Telkom Centre for Learning & Organisational Capacity (you can find the addresses of these centres online).

Complete the forms and return it to the same centre along with the following documentation: certified copies of your ID, matric certificate or tertiary academic record if you are currently enrolled at University.

Who to contact For more information, contact Telkom Graduate Development Schemes on 0860 77 66 55.

Closing date 31 July annually (applications for 2020 open on 1 March 2019)

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Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

It’s what we build

3112

We all dream of a better future. For ourselves, our families and our country.

SANRAL, as part of the National Development Plan, is improving and expanding vital road infrastructure.

In the process we are creating jobs, transferring skills and developing opportunities for all South Africans.

We are proud to be a part of the National Development Plan, because we know that roads are more than just roads, they pave the way to a better future.

More than just roads

Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

33

QUIZ

TEST YOURSELF

1 2

Who discovered hydrogen? a) Joseph Priestley b) Henry Cavendish c) Humphry Davy

Who built the first fully practical airplane? a) Henry Ford b) Wilbur And Orville Wright c) Thomas Edison

3 4 5 6

Deficiency of vitamin D results in… a) Rickets b) Scurvy

7 8

c) Hair fall

The study of animal behaviour is known as… a) Ecology b) Ethology c) Anthropology

The study of nuclear cytology is known as… a) Neurology b) Mycology c) Karyology

What is the lifespan of red blood cells (in days)? a) 60 b) 120 c) 240

34

Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

James Watt is (most) famous for the invention of… a) Steamboat b) Steam engine c) Hot-air balloon

Which instrument measures atmospheric pressure? a) Barometer b) Eratosthenes c) Thermostat

PUZZLES

SUDUKO Fill in the 9×9 grid with digits so that each column, row, and 3×3 section contain the numbers between 1 to 9.

7 3

9 1

8 4

7 6

6

9

8 3 1

7

4 1 3

9

5

1

3 4 7

6

2

4 9 4

4

5

1

WORD SEARCH

S

S

W

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W

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ENERRGY

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NUCLEAR

N

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D

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SOLAR PANELS

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SWITCH

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COAL LIGHT

WIND

ATOM RENEWABLE RECYCLE

Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

35

ANSWERS

TEST RESULTS What was your score for the Innovation 4.0 Issue?

SUDUKO

SCIENCESTARS

Issue 17 | 2017

2 3 1

9 5 4

6 7 8

1 8 9

4 2 3

5 6 7

8 1 5

3 4 2

7 9 6

6 5 4

3 8 7

9 1 2

5 7 3

1 6 9

2 4 8

4 3 6

7 9 1

8 2 5

9 8 7

6 1 2

4 5 3

2 4 6

8 7 5

3 9 1

7 2 9

5 6 8

1 3 4

QUIZ

CROSSWORD 2

1. C – 2.54cm

N

2. C – Rhizoids

I

3. B – Pepsin

T 1

P

H

Y

S

I

L 2

W

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5. B – Nuclear

Y

6. C – Grater

D

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B

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7. A – 5l B

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36

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4. A – Neptune

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E R

Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

M U

R

FACTS

BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW… • About

5 000 years ago, each person consumed about 12 000 kilocalories per day in order to survive. After the Industrial Revolution, in 1875, this increased to 77 000 kilocalories – that’s almost triple the amount! It was estimated that the world energy consumption would increase by 55% between 2008 and 2030.

• A power outage on 14 August 2004 marked the world’s biggest blackout – it affected 50 million people in the US and Canada.

• A light bulb uses just 10% of its energy to produce. The other 90% creates heat.

• 0.013% of the entire world’s energy use is attributed to Google!

Though this may seem like a tiny percentage, it is enough energy for 200 000 households.

• The world’s electricity generation is made up by 2/5 of coal.

• The largest wind farm in the world – with more than 400 turbines – is the Horse Hollow Energy Centre near Texas in the US. • Idle power (consumed when appliances and devices are turned off but not unplugged) consumes a great amount of energy.

• The kitchen is the most energy-consuming process of the entire food chain – the refrigerator, stove, oven and appliances use more energy than it takes to produce the food.

• Thomas Edison built the world’s first power plant, sending electricity to 85 buildings in 1882!

• South Africa currently has about 100 renewable energy projects – including wind and solar energy plants – in place for current and future operations.

Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

37

SCIENCE CENTRE

PENREACH SHALAMUKA

SCIENCE CENTRE Making science accessible

T

he Penreach Shalamuka Science

As is the norm with science centres across

schools through mobile laboratories,

centre in the Enhlanzeni area

South Africa, Penreach offers an array of

identifying and nurturing children with

of Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, was

activities, tools, equipment and learning

interest in STEM and incorporating career

established in 2012. The centre is one

guides to facilitate tangible and intangible

opportunities in their activities. The centre

of four accredited science centres in the

science experiences. According to

aims to be a place where the youth can

lowveld region run by the South African

Oosthuizen, this is based on the need for

explore the practical side of STEM – to

Agency for Science and Technology

scholars from under-resourced schools to

touch, feel, be challenged, make and break

Advancement (SAASTA). It’s tasked with

have access to resources that could make

– in order to learn.

sparking science flames among the youth

science practical and real for them.

in its surrounding areas.

Since the centre’s establishment and its “Ninety-five percent of the schools in

working ties with over 36 schools, there

our surrounding communities lack the

has been a positive shift in results among

chemicals and equipment to conduct

scholars said Oosthuizen. “Without the

prescribed practical experiments,” says

activities at the centre, we would not have

Susanna Oosthuizen, Communications

been able to achieve a consistent increase

Director at Penreach. “On top of this,

in scholars achieving above 50% in science

there are also limited capacity within

in the school circuits that regularly visit

communities to expose young children

the centre.”

to additional science information and initiatives such as expos, talks, career

Penreach Science Centre has adopted a

guidance among other things.”

clear mission and vision that is tailored to their clients. This includes supporting

Built on solid relationships between Penreach and Penryn College, the science centre was constructed on the campus grounds, enabling an educational environment fit for learning. “Through its work both at the centres as well as in communities, the Penreach Science Centre promotes science and technology literacy among young people. During National Science Week, this is extended to the general public with mobile exhibits and shows in public places. This has proven to be extremely popular and usually draws great interest from the community,” Oosthuizen adds.

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Science Stars Magazine Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

Cut out and place on your wall for easy reference

DRAFTFCB CAPE TOWN 10003863CT/E

Mzansi For Science

Scientists, Technologists and Innovators are just like you.

They’re curious.

They ask questions.

They try new things.

The desire to try new things has been inside you from the very beginning.

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