On Friday, 24 October 2008, the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) will be hosting the National Astronomy Quiz Finals 2008. The finals will be held at SAASTA’s Johannesburg Observatory.

Astronomy Quiz is an initiative of SAASTA aimed at grade seven learners with the main aim of improving learning and teaching of astronomy at primary school level. This is also SAASTA’s contribution to the Department of Science and Technology’s Astronomy month which is celebrated in October. There will be eight teams made up of four learners each from Gauteng, North West, Free State, Northern Cape, Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal and Mpumalanga will take part in the final competition that will see only one team winning the Astronomy Quiz.

The finals will be attended by the Edward Mosuwe, the Department of Education’s Chief Director for Further Education and Training who will also deliver the keynote address. Members of the executive from the National Research Foundation will also attend the awards in addition to representatives from government, science councils, industry and the private sector.

All media are invited to the finals.

Details of the awards ceremony are as follows:

Date: Friday, 24 October 2008
Venue: SAASTA’s Johannesburg Observatory, 15A Gill Street, Observatory, Johannesburg
Time: 09h00 for 09h30

Please confirm your attendance with:

Kgomotso Komati
Tel: 012 392 9364
Mobile: 083 7575 441
Email: kgomotso@saasta.ac.za