Wits University will be taking part in National Science Week from 29 July to 2 August, with a packed week-long programme that will showcase the university’s advances in scientific and technological research.
The media, public, school learners, families, students and staff are all invited to a wide selection of events.
The Science and Technology Expo will showcase among others: Super Frozen Ice Cream; Mind Controlled Artificial Arm; Flying Robots; a Hybrid car; and many more. The Expo takes place daily from 09:00am to 15:30pm on the Senate House Concourse, Braamfontein East Campus.
There will also be daily fun games for visitors. From getting to know your beer with beer tastings; watching water wars between bottled and tap supporters; and even a dice throwing marathon.
If you haven’t seen it yet, why not join one of the daily tours to check out the Mirage fighter jet and wind tunnel; climb onto the Physics Building not only for spectacular views of Jozi, but also to see the radio telescopes in actions; bring art and science together at the digital art exhibition at the Wits Art Museum; and pick up the trowel at the archaeological dig at the Origins Centre.
Every day at lunchtime Wits’ scientists will share their – “sometimes quirky” – research topics between 13:15 and 14:15 in the Senate House Basement Lecture Theatre, Braamfontein East Campus. The topics include Are we related to a cabbage? and Investigating the archaeology of beer.
The crown jewel for the public as well as the Wits community is a chance to see some of Wits’ top rated scientists on one stage. Two evenings are set aside for Evening Talks that will take place from 17:30 for 18:00 onwards at the Science Stadium, Braamfontein West Campus on the following dates:
Tuesday, 30 July 2013:
• What do we know about the Universe? Presented by David Block, Director of the Cosmic Dust Laboratory sponsored by AECI and AVENG and Professor in the School of Computational and Applied Mathematics;
• What can the Square Kilometre Array Project tell us about the Universe? Presented by Sergio Colafrancesco, DST/NRF SKA Research Chair, Professor in Radio Astronomy;
• Are we in danger from a meteorite strike? Presented by Professor Roger Gibson, School of Geosciences.
Thursday 1 August 2013:
• Dancing with the Stars: Dung Beetle Celestial Navigation Presented by Professor Marcus Byrne, Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences;
• The chemistry of healthy nutrition Presented by Dr Andrew Dinsmore, School of Chemistry;
• Feathered Dinosaurs, Now in Amazing Technicolour Presented by Dr Jonah Choiniere, Evolutionary Studies Institute.