Background Information:
The STEMI Olympiads and Competitions Community of Practice Conference is an annual conference which is dedicated to the advancement of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Innovation (STEMI) Olympiads and Competitions in South Africa by creating a community of practice where best practices are identified and benchmarked. This is achieved by bringing Olympiad and Competition organisers and other industry stakeholders together to present academic and non-academic research and talks to facilitate a platform for engagement between parties.
Objectives of the conference:
- To positively contribute towards a STEMI-driven culture.
- To create a platform for collaborative problem solving.
- To act as a catalyst between people and organisations.
- To facilitate the development of tools to improve the connection between science and society.
- To assist in transforming innovative ideas and actions into benchmarked practices.
Date of the Conference:
19 – 22 February 2018
Delegates who should attend:
The focused audience for the conference is STEMI Olympiads and Competitions organisers and stakeholders that have either direct or indirect impact on this niche, such as educators, academics, science centres, government departments, science agencies, and professional bodies. However, anyone involved or interested in science engagement is welcome to attend.
Registration
For this year registration is free.
Accommodation
Limited accommodation will be offered to presenters and delegates who do not reside in Gauteng.  In a case where SAASTA cannot provide you with accommodation delegates are welcomed to book their own accommodation in nearby hotels and/or guest houses. The onus is on the delegate to make a booking and all costs incurred are for the delegate’s own account.
STEMI Conference 2017 Booklet
Google Map
Venue
Burgers Park Hotel
0001 CNR Lilian Ngoyi and Minnaar Street, Pretoria, 0002
Keynote speaker
Jim Adams
Jim Adams, retired Deputy Chief Technologist for NASA, managed the entire NASA Planetary Science portfolio from 2007 to 2012, enabling the exploration of Mercury, the Moon, Mars, the asteroid belt, Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto. He also ran NASA’s Innovation Office, an enterprise designed to incubate new ideas to continue NASA’s leadership role in space exploration. This included a unique public-private partnership that sought out the most promising entrepreneurs from around the globe. Jim has worked on over two-dozen successful currently operating space missions, and received three NASA medals recognising exceptional service and leadership, including NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal. He holds a B.Sc in Physics from Westminster College, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania (PA) and a M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Villanova University, Villanova, PA.
A gifted storyteller, Jim engages the curiosity and imagination of his audiences, and inspires emerging scientists and entrepreneurs to think creatively and inventively.
Organizing Committee Members
 Erna Taljaard
Project Coordinator |
 Simon Rametse
Administrative Assistant |
 Lindie Muller
Project Administrator |
The South Africa Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) is a business unit of the 
Tel: +27 (0)12 392 9300
Fax: +27 (0)12 320 7803