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Mpumalanga gets exposed to the final frontier - space
The enthusiastic youngsters learnt more about the concept of space, history of space exploration, scientific principles behind rocketry, uses of rockets and satellites, importance of Earth observations, various applications of space sciences and the different careers available in the space sciences. They eagerly studied the space science brochures, Sumbandila satellite information sheets, SAASTA note pads and SAASTA's periodic table of the elements which SAASTA made available for them. A total of 408 learners, 14 educators, 38 adults, nine students, two DST officials and six officials from the Mpumalanga Department of Basic Education attended the activity-filled Space Science Open Day, which was held at the Mondi Science, Career Guidance and Further Education and Training Centre. Activities included a rocket building workshop, a space science show, lectures on space science, and exhibitions by the South African National Space Agency (SANSA)/ Space Operations, ARC-ISCW, SA Weather Services, Marcom Aeronautics, Denel Dynamics, SAASTA, HartRAO and CPUT/F'SATI. SAASTA's entry into the space science awareness arena In 2011 the Department of Science and Technology requested SAASTA to implement and administer a space science outreach and awareness campaign in the North West Province. The success of the campaign in this province led to requests for a similar implementation in other provinces, hence the Mpumalanga Space Science Open Day. The awareness campaign in Mpumalanga afforded the public and learners an opportunity to explore space science and to realise the role played by South Africa in the global arena of space science. The campaign also created an opportunity for strengthening relations between role players in space science in South Africa. |
