As International Year of Chemistry, 2011 marks the 100th anniversary of Marie Curie winning the Nobel Prize for Chemistry; and also sees SA host the 6th Science Centre World Congress later this year. And Scifest Africa 2011 is where the celebrations begin!
As International Year of Chemistry, 2011 marks the 100th anniversary of Marie Curie winning the Nobel Prize for Chemistry; and also sees SA host the 6th Science Centre World Congress later this year. And Scifest Africa 2011 is where the celebrations begin!
In 1911 Marie Curie made a seminal breakthrough for women around the world by winning the Nobel Prize for Chemistry – with this, the hundredth anniversary of her groundbreaking achievement, being declared the International Year of Chemistry in her honour. Now, the full magnificent realities of how far chemistry has come, where it is at this moment, where it’s heading to in future, and the women driving that process today, are all coming alive at Scifest Africa 2011.
In celebration of the International Year of Chemistry, this year the Scifest programme is purposefully peppered with Chemistry in all its guises and forms – from outstanding lectures, talkshops, workshops and exhibitions for learners, educators and adults – through to a glorious Chemistry Party as part of the Scikidz II programme – with Sibo the famous character in the popular children’s series by the same name, which is geared at introducing chemistry to young children – helped by the atom and molecule puppets from the Element Family!
Indeed, at Scifest 2011 the chemistry-guided activities for all ages range as far as the chemical imagination can stretch – from the Cape Town Science Centre’s show “Astonishing Alchemy and Curious Chemistry”, to the University of East Anglia’s “Kitchen Chemistry” and beyond! And to herald a century since Marie Curie’s amazing achievement in Chemistry, there are fascinating encounters with top female scientists from South Africa and the world as part of the Scifest programme this year.
2011 also marks the year of the sixth Science World Congress (6SCWC), which will be hosted by Cape Town from 4 – 8 September. And this year’s congress theme of “Science Across Cultures” has also been adopted by Scifest Africa 2011 in promoting a culture of curiosity and learning in Africa.
But apart from adopting the sixth Science World Congress theme, Scifest Africa 2011 also hosts a fantastic 6SCWC Science Across Cultures exhibition, which in the Congress’ own words “will encourage reconciliation between different cultures and a greater appreciation of the role that science centres can play in highlighting each culture’s unique contributions to science, technology and science education.” Of course in kick-starting the upcoming congress’ discourse from now, Scifest Africa 2011 has paid particular focus on the fusion of science and culture – ranging from exhibitions by the likes of the International Library of African Music, which is based in festival host city Grahamstown, to Bayworld’s “South African National Symbols: Transcending Cultures Through Science”; to interactive shows like “Good Vibrations” that explore the culture, mathematics and science of music and musical instruments; to lectures on scientocultural topics as disparate from each other as rally-driving, technology and the spirit of innovation, and facial beauty.
Ultimately though, whether it’s the celebration of a century since Marie Curie burst open the scientific world for women, or heralding 2011 as the International Year of Chemistry, or creating powerful thematic ties with the sixth Science World Congress taking place in South Africa in September, Scifest Africa 2011 is right on the pulse of this year’s global scientific benchmarks – including its very own 15th anniversary! And it celebrates each one with its fullest programme ever as a veritable scientific feast for all!
Scifest Africa takes place from 4 to 10 May; and the full festival programme is available on www.scifest.org.za; or phone (046)603 1106.
Be part of 2011’s scientific benchmark celebrations at the 15th Scifest Africa. And make 2011 your year of the love of science!
