A Sutherland robotic telescopespots an extrasolar planet

Newsletter incorporating Youth into Science, Science Festivals, Competitions & Olympiads

The African word, Khoroni, refers to a placewithin a chief’s kraal (a village of huts) where

Community discussions are held.

In this issue…

KhoroniKhoroniKhoroniKhoroniVolume 4 No. 15 June/July 2016

Supported by

Sutherland robotic telescope spots extra

solar planet ………………………………………. 1 & 2

Educator training @ KZN Sciencentre….……. 3

Girls of tomorrow….……………………….…………. 3

Matric worshops back on track.…..……….… 4

Congratulations Jan and Derek……..……..….. 4

SAAO’s teacher training & development .… 5

Science Centre Kenya…….…………….……..…... 6

Osizweni supports former Project A…….….. 7

Osizweni’s NASA excursion…………….………... 8

Test your coding….…………………..…………..….. 8

SA Inventors or Inventions?…..……………….... 9

Traditional Fishing Methods of Africa .…..…. 9

Closely guarded mystery solved ..…….....…… 10

Meerkat joins the ranks ……………………… 11

Names Conference details ……………………….. 12

SAASTEC Conference .….……………..…………… 12

own taking part inContinued on page 2

The Kilodegree Extremely Little Telescope -South (KELT-South) in Sutherland spotted anextrasolar, KELT 10b during its routine observations. KELT-South is a robotic dedicatedto the search of transiting planets orbiting especially bright stars.

Astronomers refer to these planets as “hot Jupiters” because of their composition andmass. They are gas giants similar to the planet Jupiter, except that they orbit extremelyclose to their host stars. KELT-10b, has a mass 30% less than Jupiter but is 40% larger inradius, which makes it very inflated. It orbits its host star about once every 4.2 days.According to calculations, KELT-10b has a surface temperature of about 1100 degreesCelsius – Jupiter has a surface temperature of about -145 degrees Celsius. KELT-10b’s hoststar is slightly hotter and larger than the sun. Although it is too dim to see with the nakedeye, it is visible with a small telescope.

Importance of KELT 10b the discovery

KELT-10b is especially interesting because of its very strong transit signal and a fairly brighthost star. Those two properties make it such a valuable target for further investigation,to learn about the composition of its atmosphere, how heat is transferred from its starto the lower gas layers, and around to the back side of the planet through the winds.

According to the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) based astronomer, Dr.Rudi Kuhn the process of finding these planets is quite involved, “There are numerous

A Sutherland robotic telescopespots an extrasolar planet

By Thembela MantungwaLook out for thefirst issue of the

“KhoroniInternational”

included with thisnewsletter!

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(Continued from page 1)

objects that appear to have the same characteristics astransiting planets but turn out to be something else. Careful,meticulous investigation is therefore required to identify realtransiting planets. Thus, astronomers have to use separatemethods for identifying and confirming possible transitingplanets. Initial discoveries are made using the transitingtechnique, which determines the amount of light blocked by theplanet when it moves in front of the star. The method used toconfirm whether it is a transiting planet is the radial velocity or

‘wobble’ method, which measures the wavelength of lightreceived from a star as it is tugged by the gravity of its planet.”

Follow-up observations with telescopes like, the SouthernAfrican Large Telescope

American based collaborator, Dr. Joshua Pepper says thediscovery of KELT-10b is important because, “The goal of thissearch is to find transiting planets orbiting especially bright stars,as they are excellent targets for follow-up observations with bigtelescopes like the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) tomeasure their atmospheres.” Since the discovery of 51 Pegasiin 1992 many more extrasolar planets have been detected.Before the discovery of 51 Pegasi, astronomers had believedthat other planetary systems would have to be like ours, withsmall rocky planets close to the parent star and massive gaseousplanets further out.

Ground-based surveys for extrasolar planets have become moresuccessful, with their number reaching 130 so far. These surveysuse small aperture wide-field robotic telescopes to obtainhigh-precision photometric light curves of relatively bright stars.

In Jthe second week of July The KZN Science Centre team headed tothe Pinetown district to train over 100 educators in two priorityMathematics topics from the national curriculum. This forms part of acapacity building initiative which is a continuation of the sciencecentre’s partnership with the Kwa-Zulu Natal Department ofEducation’s Maths, Science and Technology (MST) Unit and will seejust over 600 educators from 5 districts within our province, beingengaged in pure mathematics workshops.

The aim of this initiative is to provide educators with the learning tools necessary to implement comprehensive lessons in theclassroom and improve delivery of mathematics content to learners. The training workshop not only covers theoretical content butalso promotes open dialogue among educators around the relevant topics. It is hoped that this approach to educator capacitybuilding will inadvertently improve learner understanding of the topics through creating a robust link between textbook theory andeffective content delivery in the classroom.

Acting CEO of The KZN Science Centre, Ms Nazley Giquel highlighted the importance of empowering and motivating educators totackle maths topics confidently in the classroom, “workshops such as these mean that we are a part of creating a difference,ensuring the placement of capable educators in our schools, which in turn develops capable learners”.

The partnership between The KZN Science Centre and the provincial education department serves to contribute to the improvementof Mathematics, Science and Technology performance in schools across KZN, through sustainable initiatives such as this where oureducators and learners remain the key beneficiaries.

http://www.kznsc.org 1 Airport Road, Reunion, 4133 Tel: 031 4081012

Educator training 2016 kicksoff in the Pinetown district.

Fulfilling a childhood dream, interest in astronomy andcomputer programming

The Kilodegree Extremely Little Telescope (KELT) projectdeployed KELT-South to Sutherland in 2008 while Dr. Rudi Kuhnwas busy with his Masters degree at the University of Cape Town.He developed the computer software that controls the telescope,which means the telescope can observe on its own, without anastronomer physically operating it. “Being involved in theconstruction of the telescope was the fulfilment of a childhooddream, enabling me to bring together my interest in bothastronomy and computer programming” says Dr. Kuhn.

Background on the KELT project

The KELT project is an effort to detect transiting planets aroundbright stars. It consists of two telescopes, KELT-North in Arizonaat Winer Observatory and operated by Ohio State University,and KELT-South, which is operated by Vanderbilt University atthe South African Astronomical Observatory to cover both thenorthern and southern sky. The telescopes are nearly identical—with small apertures and wide fields of view to search as muchof the sky as possible. KELT-South was built at Vanderbilt, andtested at Dyer Observatory. Since being deployed to South Africa,KELT South has operated nearly autonomously, taking hugeamounts of data (~10 Gigabytes every night) which are beingsearched for transiting planets. In addition, the project willdiscover many variable stars, such as eclipsing binary stars,which are scientifically valuable in their own right.http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/physics/vida/exoplanets.htm

Other links with more information https://my.vanderbilt.edu/keltsouth/http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/physics/vida/exoplanets.htm

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The Girls of Tomorrow program is a female empowerment andeducation initiative launched in late March 2016 by the Universityof Zululand Science Centre in Richards Bay, South Africa. TheUnizulu Science Centre, in collaboration with the U.S. Peace Corpsand funded by Michelle Obama’s “Let Girls Learn” initiative,targeted girls from ages 12-14 before they enter High School andare exposed to the unfamiliar, often threatening, environments ofvarious disadvantaged secondary schools in the area. The primarygoal of Girls of Tomorrow is to empower girls through exposure tothe studies leading to STEM fields, as well as exposure to womenin STEM, both contemporary and historic.

The Girls of Tomorrow program (brainchild of US PCV Chris Harris)began with a series of school visits to three disadvantaged schoolsnear the Science Centre. During these visits, the Peace Corps andJICA (Japanese International Collaboration Agency) Volunteers,along with Science Centre staff and interns, engaged with the girlsin the project in empowerment activities and science talks. Wedistributed Girls of Tomorrow booklets, which display the strugglesand accomplishments of various females in STEM careers for thegirls to use as role models. Throughout the course of a month, wecoordinated with learners, teachers, and principals as the girls brokeinto groups and developed presentations on the females in STEMfrom their booklets.

On April 26��, all three schools joined us in a sponsored visit to theScience Centre where the day was dedicated to their activities.With six seasoned Peace Corps Volunteers from all over the region,we hosted gender workshops, teacher workshops, empowermentactivities, and role model and educational talks. The girls also hadthe opportunity to meet and speak with some local female scientists.They practiced their presentations and prepared for their nextsponsored visit to the Science Centre, where they would presentto an auditorium full of special guests and scientists.

Girls of Tomorrow:Unizulu SC promotes gender equity in science

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~ by Derek Fish

May 9�� was the big day, and thegirls were ecstatic. Guests arrivedfrom as far as the U.S. and India andfrom a broad range of fields within the STEMdisciplines. The day opened with powerful and earnest remarksfrom the U.S. Consul-General in Durban, the Department of Scienceand Technology, the Science Centre’s Director, Derek Fish, andother notable speakers. Following the encouraging speeches, thegirls presented posters they’d developed on the females they’dbeen studying, and had some time to connect with our guests.They then presented the projects they’d been working on. Theytook the forms of dramas, poems, songs, or formal presentations,and… wow… they were phenomenal. The girls made everyoneproud, and it was clear they were just as proud of themselves.

In the end, the project was a tremendous success. Teacherspleaded that we repeat the program with the other grades in theirschools and the guests were educated about the severity of thehardships these young girls are facing in our schools. But mostimportantly, the girls gained an experience that will stick with themthrough their studies and possibly motivate them to perseverethrough the male-dominated courses that can give them a betterunderstanding of their world and a better shot at a promisingcareer. These girls left the project proudly identifying themselvesas the Girls of Tomorrow, and we are confident that’s who they’llbe! We plan to continue the Girls of Tomorrow program inperpetuity so long as we can continue to secure funding, and wouldlove to expand the program! For more information or access tomore photos, videos and materials please contact Derek Fish onthefish@iafrica.com .

Congratulations to Derek Fish for being awarded the prize for“Best Ph.D. Talk in the Physics Education Division” at the 61stSAIP Conference which was jointly hosted by the departmentsof Astronomy and Physics at the University of Cape Town inJuly.

Photo: Dr. Sam Ramaila (University of Johannesburg, ScienceEducation) congratulates Derek Fish at the award ceremonyat the SAIP conference dinner on Thursday 7th July 2016.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Prof Jan Smit (Manager : Science Centre, NorthWest University Potchefstroom) for winning the NSTF award for

“Communication for outreach and creating awareness” by a teamor individual. According to the M&G - Jan’s academic educational

repertoire extends over 53 years, and impressive achievement,and he has worked with government, school children, educatorsand students to deliver impressive results.” (Photo: DST Minister

Naledi Pandor and Prof. Jan Smit. ~ Courtesy NSTF)4

After three years’ break, Fishand Tsips (and friends)returned with a bang,presenting 12 science work-shops to almost 5 000 matricsfrom 161 schools over 2 weeksin April. In 10 different (mostly rural) venues from Mbazwana to Nqutu, pupils flocked to the programme. The workshops assistedpupils (and teachers) to master the skills needed for drawing and interpreting graphs in the physics part of the science syllabus.State of the art computer apps were used to draw graphs live on a big screen while the experiments proceeded, greatly assistingthe audiences to understand the content.

The good attendance again confirmed the need for interventions in science and maths and many other subjects. Unizulu ScienceCentre plans to follow up the success of this workshop with a similar one looking at graphs in the chemistry section of the sciencesyllabus, scheduled for the middle weeks of August. Please phone 035-7973204 for more details. ~ by Derek Fish

The South African Astronomical Observatory(SAAO), through its education and outreachunit, conducted 8 intensive and excitingteacher training workshops across fourprovinces, namely Mpumalanga, WesternCape, Kwa Zulu Natal and the Eastern Cape.The workshops were based on using astronomysoftware in the classroom and on the themeEarth and Beyond, a strand within NaturalScience Curriculum. They were led by the Headof the Southern African Large TelescopeCollateral Benefits Programme, Mr SivuyileManxoyi and the Education Officer, Ms BuzaniKhumalo and were held from the 8 - 13�� of May,the 15�� of June and the 23�� and 24�� of July.

The first workshop was held at the SAAO site inCape Town and was organised jointly with theSAAO Virtual Observatory and the AstronomicalObservatory of Trieste in Italy. Two guests,Professor Massimo and Professor Giula, facilitated the workshopjointly with Mr Sivuyile Manxoyi and Dr Sudhansu Barway. Theworkshop covered the following software, Stellarium, a planetarysoftware, which is freely downloadable and very user friendly;Aladdin, an interactive sky atlas which allows the user to visualizedigitised astronomical images or full survey and lastly the GalaxyZoo. The workshop included many hands on exercises. One ofthe participants, Ms Suanne Rampou, a Western Cape EducationDepartment’s Chief Education Specialist for Natural Science said

“The workshop was very informative and empowering. Usingastronomy software is one way we can excite teachers andlearner s about the relevance of astronomy and science.”

The second set of workshops were held at the Southern Coast ofKwa Zulu Natal, from the 9 - 13�� of May in the following towns,Port Shepstone, St Faiths, Harding, Mthwalume and Scottsburg.These workshops reached a total of 217 teachers and wereorganized jointly with the Ugu Educational District. Theworkshop’s presentations and hands-on activities covered thecontent prescribed by the CAPS curriculum. The workshops werewell received by the teachers and many of them felt inspired andexpressed readiness to teach Earth and Beyond. Ms NomusaNkala, a senior curriculum adviser from the region, who attended

and monitored the workshops was so grateful said, “This one ofthe best sets of workshops I have ever attended as it not onlycovered the relevant content but it also dispelled manymisconceptions, provided practical and hands on activities,encouraged direct observation and above all demonstrated therelevance of astronomy in daily life”. The KZN provincialdepartment was so impressed with the quality of the workshops,that they have invited the facilitators for Durban andUMgungundlovu districts.

The third leg of the workshops was conducted in Cofimvamba inthe Eastern Cape. The workshop was attended by 55 teachersfrom that district and it was also based on Earth and Beyondtheme of the curriculum. Manxoyi, stated “We believe if we caninspire and provide content and exciting pedagogical approachesfor the teachers, we can influence classroom practice and canchange the face of science education for the better. We arecommitted to teacher support and empowerment.”

The last workshop in this series was conducted in Nelspruit,(Mpumalanga) over the weekend of the 23�� and 24�� of July. Theworkshop attracted 136 teachers. The SAAO facilitators wereinvited by the SAASTE provincial executive and were supportedby SAASTA in terms of travel and accommodation. This was oneof the most exciting workshops as one could see that these werefirstly, committed teachers as they sacrificed their whole weekendto be present at the workshop and secondly, they belonged tothe science and technology teachers association. Manxoyi, said,

“We were engaged and questioned thoroughly. Questions werebased on astronomy concepts as well as how to best communicateand dispel some of the misconceptions and myths in teachingastronomy.”

Buzani Khumalo stated that “As the SAAO unit, we are committedto assisting teachers and improving their classroom practice.”

Do not hesitate to contact Sivuyile Manxoyi or Buzani Khumalofor collaborations with regard to teacher training.(sivuyile@saao.ac.za)

SAAO’s Teacher training and development workshop across four provinces~ by Sivuyile Manxoyi

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Science Center Kenya base at KALRO Biotechnology Research Institute isan initiative whose concept was pioneered by Mr. Kenneth Monjero. It isthe first center in Kenya and the second to be established in East andCentral Africa with the aim of demystifying science. Its mission is “Topromote science, technology, and innovation through interactive scienceexperiences that engage, challenge, and inspire exploration and understanding of the world around us. With the vision of “A brighter futurefor Kenya’s youth through STEM.”

Kenneth has made a great move to establish a team of volunteers who are creative in science exhibitions and demonstrations.

Simple exhibits make it fun and easy to comprehend for students and the public at large. The centre is located in KALRO-BiotechnologyResearch Institute. The centre is run by Kenneth Monjero, team leader and 8 dedicated volunteers who have different duties to undertake.They include Perpetua Wangari (Human resource/administrator), Roy Kiambi (Programs and outreach), Hilda Messo (Safety andprogramming), Sammy Muraguri (Programs/articles), Abel Too (Engineering), Stephen Njuguna (Earth science and astronomy) and Kinyili(Physics).

The centre was kick-started by a variety of new exhibitions that range from a balloon rocket, clean a penny with vinegar, nail balanceexhibition and a home-made fire extinguisher.

Many other exhibits are being assembled; magnetism, hula hoops, mirror maze, earth eruptions and geology, moments by bicycle wheeland many other online platforms.

The centre has made many links and network with other renown centres and professionals. The government of South Africa, SAASTEC,South African science centres and professionals remain great mentors in the Kenyan Science Centre establishment. Other networks include;

1. Dr. Graham Walker, Science Circus Africa/Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science.2. Stephanie Deschenes; Executive Director, Canadian Association of Science Centres.3. Erik Jacquemyn, Technopolis, the Flemish Science

Centre, Belgium.4. Charlie Trautmann, Executive Director, Sciencenter,

Ithaca, New York.5. Walter Staveloz, Director International

Relations, Association of Science-TechnologyCenters (ASTC).

6. Talila Yehiel Carasso Science Park MuseumExpert @thewandering.net, Israel.

7. Erik Lizee, Director Of Exhibit Developmentand Design, McWane Science Center, USA.

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http://sciencecentrekenya.wix.com/sciencecentre#!about/cjg9

By Kenneth Monjero

Winners of the SGAM Mathematics Quiz(From left to right)

Joseph Mazibuko (SGAM); Ishmael Stene (SGAM);Tumelo Kgabo (Osizweni Secondary School);

Zodwa Moagi (Kusasalethu Secondary School);Dineo Mojapelo (Osizweni Secondary School);

Angela Stratford (Osizweni Education &Development Centre) and Lindokuhle Mahlangu

(SGAM).

“You haveopened our

minds todream bigger.”

SGAM team who hosted the Mathematics andScience Quiz. (From left to right:)Sipho Makondo currently studying Nuclear Scienceat Wits (Former Project A)Micky Sibisi currently studying Mining Engineeringat Wits (Former Project A)Ishmael Stene currently studying Actuarial Scienceat Wits (Former Project A)Nombuso Mtsweni currently studying ElectricalEngineering at UJ (Former Project A)

Osizweni supports former ProjectA SGAM holiday initiative

Seed Germinating Academic Movement (SGAM) is an organisationestablished by university students from eMbalenhle with the aim ofadvancing academic excellence in their community.

The goal of the organisation is to identify Grade 11 learners insecondary schools and assist to release their academic potential. Thisis achieved through mentorship, tutorials and inspirational talks. Theyalso seek to encourage learners to further their studies and are apoint of contact for learners at the various universities they areregistered in.

University students that have established SGAM and are part of theirvarious initiatives are products of the Osizweni Project A programme.This programme supports academically deserving learners in

Mathematics and Science over a three year period with the aim of them achievingquality Grade 12 results with university bursaries or admission.

During the first week of the school holiday 25 June – 1 July 2016, learners fromKusasalethu, Sizwakele and Osizweni Secondary Schools were engaged in tutoring andmentoring activities hosted by SGAM. This was followed by a Mathematics andScience Quiz held on 2 July 2016 at Sizwakele Secondary School.

Osizweni supported the Quiz through a motivational talk by Mr Mlungisi Nyamanye,Osizweni Programmes Manager, as well as through contributing toward prizes and keep sakes that will add educational value to a learningenvironment.

Mathematics and Science Quizzes were held separately and learners competed in teams of three.

Winners of the quiz are listed below.

SGAM Mathematics Quiz1�� Place : Tumelo Kgabo; Dineo Majapelo and Zodwa Moagi.2ⁿ� Place : Mthokozisi Mtsweni; Sicelo Dlamini and Simphiwe Nhlapho3�� Place : Solomon Zucule and Nelly Matsana

SGAM Science Quiz1�� Place : Dineo Majapelo; Solomon Zucule and Simpihwe Nhlapho2ⁿ� Place : Tumelo Kgabo; Lintle Mohapi and Siphesihle Chauke3�� Place : Promise Mdlalose; Innocent Ndlovu and Simphiwe Sibeko

Sicelo Dlamini from Osizweni Secondary School spoke on behalf of the learners who attended the SGAM initiativeand Quiz. “We would like to show ourappreciation to the SGAM and Osizweniteam by thanking them for offering uslearners this opportunity. You have openedour minds to dream bigger.”

Osizweni is a Sasol initiative that aims tosupport and uplift Mathematics and ScienceEducation.For more information on Osizwenivisit the website www.osizweni.org.za orcontact us on 017 689 2005/6 or email oninfo@osizweni.org.za.

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Space shuttle cockpit, lunar rover model, Apollo capsule model,sputnik one model, the first rocket ever built…

This is what the group of 260 Osizweni Project A learners and Grade 7-9teachers from Govan Mbeki Municipality in Mpumalanga had to lookforward to on 26 July 2016 during an excursion to the Gateway to Spaceexhibition.

This international exhibition has been brought to South Africa byHuisgenoot, YOU and Drum magazines, in partnership with NASA andis on display at the Sandton Convention Centre from 1 June – 31 July2016.

During the exhibition, learners were given the chance to discover, learn andexperience the great adventure of space exploration along with the wonder and drama of the inspiring story of human accomplishment inspace – going back to 1903 as well as future technology to take us to Mars and beyond. The thrill of interactive flight simulators and othertraining was on offer for learners to experience. Each section of this exhibition is aimed at teaching children about an important andfascinating part of man’s exploration of space.

Osizweni prides itself in exposing learners and teachers alike to thevarious facets of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematicsand Innovation streams. The Gateway to Space exhibition createdthe perfect opportunity for this. The exhibition ties in very well withthe Physics section of the school curriculum for both Grades 7-9through the “earth and beyond theme” and covers the concept of

“almost zero-gravity” for Grades 10 - 12.

“The exhibition was so educational and the information gatheredby learners and teachers from the tour guides will remain with usfor a long time. We were in space, yet on earth, that is the simplestway to explain our gains from the exhibition. The information gainedwill change our teaching of space and its habitats. Space is amysterious and beautiful place to be. The beautiful nature of spacehas created the desire amongst our learners to study space relatedcareers.” Said Mr. S.B Onabolujo from KI Twala Secondary School.

Osizweni visits the Gatewayto Space exhibition

The annual Programming Olympiad usually attracts morethan 4 000 entries from around 200 schools. This year moreentries are expected as a result of the attention which isgiven to the importance of coding in schools and in themedia.

Even though coding is only in the syllabus from Grade 10,and then only for learners who take IT, many learners codein primary school… some teach themselves at home andothers pick it up from friends. The national ProgrammingOlympiad is for learners from Grades 7 to 12.

Michael Cameron from the Computer Olympiad Trustexplains: “Everybody who plays computer games knows thatyou advance from one level to the next by starting at a levelyou can manage. The more you play, the better your skills.”

“Well, here is an opportunity to put your coding skills to thetest. There are three levels. The entry level test has to be

run at your school for a maximum of one hour at any timein the week from 1 to 5 August.  The first problem of theFirst Round will be easy to solve; the last problem not soeasy, but all the First Round problems can be solved usingScratch.”

 “All that is needed is to be able to work out how to solve alogic problem, to code your solution and to run it on acomputer. You may use any computer language such asScratch, Delphi, Java or Python. Your answers are thensubmitted online to the judges, and if you score aboveaverage, your school will be sent your certificate:  Bronze,Silver or Gold.”

For more information check www.olympiad.org.za . Askyour teacher to enter you in the Programming Olympiad. Ifthe school has not yet received information, your teachercan e-mail michael@olympiad.org.za and it will be sent toyour school immediately.Information provided by : Michael Cameron, South AfricanComputer Olympiad Trust ~ Phone 021 448 7864

Project A learners from Kusasalethu Secondary Schoolexplore the Lunar Rover model.

Project A learners from Osizweni Secondary School posewith a model of Darth Vader from the Star wars movies.

~ by Angela Stratford

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I am writing a new, more comprehensive book on South African inventions that is sponsored by theDepartment of Science & Technology and will be published by Jacana.

I would be very grateful if Khoroni readers could bring any South African inventors or inventions ofwhich they are aware to my attention. They can be in any field, past or present. To qualify, aninvention must have been made in South Africa or by a South African living abroad.

If you know of any South African inventors or inventions, please email me atmikefishesbruton@gmail.com and I will follow up. If possible, please let me have the contact detailsof the inventor or a person who knows the inventor or invention.

Some South African inventions that I have recently written about:

John Herschel: Actinometer and Astrometer (back in the 1830s!)

Sherman Ripley: Ripley Resuscitator

John Myers: First South African production car, the ‘Protea’

Hillel Shapiro and Harry Zwarenstein: Xenopus pregnancy test

Alfred Baloyi: Makaraba

Ludwig Marishane: DryBath

Hannes van Rensburg: Fundamo mobile banking system

Dr Mulalo Doyoyo: Cenocel ‘cementless concrete’, Armoriguard nanotech surfaceprotectors, hydrogen-powered motorbike

HySA Systems: Hydrogen fuel cell powered forklift, scooter and golf cart,portable hydrogen fuel cell generator

Innovation Agency: Photogrammetry drones

Elon Musk: PayPal, Tesla electric car and self-driving electric car, Falcon rocket,Dragon space capsule, ‘Solar City’.

I would greatly appreciate your assistance.

Mike Bruton

Do you know of any South Africaninventors or inventions?

Dr Mulalo Doyoyo, prolificSouth African inventor

Ahifambeni hydrogen-powered motorbike

Cenocel ‘cementlessconcrete’ samples

Mike Bruton’s latest book, ‘Traditional Fishing Methodsof Africa’, has just been published and is available fromthe publisher, Cambridge University Press.

This book is an illustrated overview of an aspect of Africa’s cultural and technologicalheritage that has largely been ignored – its traditional fishing methods. An astonishingvariety of innovative fishing techniques has been developed by African fishermen tocatch fishes and shellfishes using their intimate knowledge of the distribution andbehaviour of fishes and the dynamic properties of aquatic environments. Thesemethods include spears, bows-and-arrows, poisons, fish barriers, traps, baskets, nets,artificial reefs and fish aggregation devices, and the canoes, dhows and boats used todeploy them. Many of these traditional methods harvest fishes sustainably but theyhave been replaced by ruthlessly efficient ‘modern’ gear, such as multi- andmonofilament gillnets, giant seine and trawl nets, insecticide-impregnated mosquitonets, explosives and synthetic poisons, that are devastating fish stocks. An appeal ismade for the recognition of the value of traditional fishing methods whose extinctionwould represent a loss of valuable indigenous knowledge.

Mike studied zoology and social anthropology at Rhodes University and has had alifelong interest in indigenous knowledge systems. While researching fishes in Zululand,Mozambique and Botswana he took a keen interest in the traditional fishing methodsin these areas and has continued to pursue this passion during his travels in Africa andadjacent islands. The Angling Museum that he established in Knysna includes traditionalfishing gear.

18 July 2016 - Wits University

Eight-year-old South African boydiscovers early turtle fossil that explainswhy the turtle got its shell.

It is common knowledge that the modern turtle shellis largely used for protection. No other livingvertebrate has so drastically altered its body to formsuch an impenetrable protective structure as the turtle.

However a new study by an international group ofscientists, including those from the EvolutionaryScience Institute at Wits University, on the earliestpartially shelled fossil turtles suggests the broad ribbedproto shell was initially an adaptation, not forprotection, but rather for burrowing underground.

Lead author Dr. Tyler Lyson of the Denver Museum ofNature and Science says, “Why the turtle shell evolved is a very Dr. Seuss like question and the answer seems pretty obvious – itwas for protection. But just like the bird feather did not initially evolve for flight – we now have early relatives of birds such astyrannosaur dinosaurs with feathers that definitely were not flying – the earliest beginnings of the turtle shell was not for protectionbut rather for digging underground to escape the harsh South African environment where these early proto-turtles lived”. -

The early evolution of the turtle shell had long puzzled scientists. “We knew from both the fossil record and observing how the turtleshell develops in modern turtles that one of the first major changes towards a shell was the broadening of the ribs,” says Dr. Lyson.While distinctly broadened ribs may not seem like a significant modification, it has a serious impact on both breathing and speed inquadrupedal animals.

Ribs are used to support the body during locomotion and play a crucial role in ventilating your lungs. Distinctly broadened ribs stiffenthe torso, which shortens an animal’s stride length and slows it down and interferes with breathing. “The integral role of ribs in bothlocomotion and breathing is likely why we don’t see much variation in the shape of ribs,” says Dr. Lyson. “Ribs are generally prettyboring bones. The ribs of whales, snakes, dinosaurs, humans, and pretty much all other animals look the same. Turtles are the oneexception, where they are highly modified to form the majority of the shell.”

A big breakthrough came with the discovery of several specimens of the oldest (260 million year old) partially shelled proto-turtle,Eunotosaurus africanus, from the Karoo Basin of South Africa. Several of these specimens were discovered by two of the studies’co-authors, Drs. Roger Smith and Bruce Rubidge from the University of Witwatersrand, in Johannesburg but the most important

specimen was found by a then eight-year-oldSouth African boy on his father’s farm in theWestern Cape of South Africa.

This specimen, which is about 15 cm long,comprises a well-preserved skeleton togetherwith the fully articulated hands and feet. “Iwant to thank Kobus Snyman and shake hishand because without Kobus both finding thespecimen and taking it to his local museum, theFransie Pienaar Museum in Prince Albert, thisstudy would not have been possible,” says ProfRubidge.

The study includes authors from the UnitedStates, South Africa, and Switzerland.

From Wits Weekly Issue 23 : 20 July 2016

Closely guarded mystery solved!

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MeerKAT joins the ranks of the world's greatscientific instruments through its First Light imageThe MeerKAT First Light image of the sky, released today by Minister of Science and Technology,Naledi Pandor, shows unambiguously that MeerKAT is already the best radio telescope of its kind inthe Southern Hemisphere. Array Release 1 (AR1) being celebrated today provides 16 of an eventual64 dishes integrated into a working telescope array. It is the first significant scientific milestoneachieved by MeerKAT, the radio telescope under construction in the Karoo that will eventually beintegrated into the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).

In a small patch of sky covering less than 0.01 percent of the entire celestial sphere, the MeerKATFirst Light image shows more than 1300 galaxies in the distant Universe, compared to 70 known inthis location prior to MeerKAT. "Based on the results being shown today, we are confident that afterall 64 dishes are in place, MeerKAT will be the world's leading telescope of its kind until the adventof SKA," according to Professor Justin Jonas, SKA South Africa Chief Technologist.

MeerKAT will consist of 64 receptors, each comprising a 13.5-metre diametre dish antenna,cryogenic coolers, receivers, digitiser, and other electronics. The commissioning of MeerKAT is donein phases to allow for verification of the system, early resolution of any technical issues, and initialscience exploitation. Early science can be done with parts of the array as they are commissioned,even as construction continues. AR1 consists of 16 receptors, AR2 of 32 and AR3 of 64, expected to be in place by late 2017.Dr Rob Adam, Project Director of SKA South Africa, says: "The launch of MeerKAT AR1 and its first results is a significant milestone forSouth Africa. Through MeerKAT, South Africa is playing a key role in the design and development of technology for the SKA. The SouthAfrican team of more than 200 young scientists, engineers and technicians, in collaboration with industry, local and foreign universitiesand institutions, has developed the technologies and systems for MeerKAT. These include cutting edge telescope antennas and receivers,signal processing, timing, telescope management, computing and data storage systems, and algorithms for data processing."

In May 2016, more than 150 researchers and students, two-thirds from South Africa, met in Stellenbosch to discuss and update theMeerKAT science programme. This will consist of already approved "large survey projects", plus "open time" available for new projects.An engineering test image, produced with only 4 dishes, was made available just before that meeting.

"The scientists gathered at the May meeting were impressed to see what 4 MeerKAT dishes could do," says Dr Fernando Camilo, SKA SouthAfrica Chief Scientist. "They will be astonished at today's exceptionally beautiful images, which demonstrate that MeerKAT has joined thebig leagues of world radio astronomy".

Pandor released the MeerKAT First Light image from the telescope site in the Northern Cape on the 16July 2016. She was accompanied by Ministers and Deputy Ministers from the Presidential InfrastructureCoordination Committee (PICC), as well as other senior officials.

Minister Pandor says: "South Africa has already demonstrated its excellent science and engineeringskills by designing and building MeerKAT. This telescope, which is predominantly a locally designed andbuilt instrument, shows the world that South Africa can compete in international research, engineering, technology and science. Governmentis proud of our scientists and engineers for pioneering a radio telescope that will lead to groundbreaking research."

View showing 10% of the full MeerKATFirst Light radio image. More than 200astronomical radio sources (white dots)are visible in this image, where prior to

MeerKAT only five were known (indicatedby violet circles). This image spans about

the area of the Earth’s moon.

For more information and media enquiriescontact

Lorenzo Raynard, SKA SA CommunicationManager lorenzo@ska.ac.za

or (+27) 71 454 0658.

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BOSS LEADERVs.

○ Drives employees○ Depends on authority○ Inspires fear○ Says “I”○ Places blame for the breakdown○ Knows how it is done○ Uses people○ Takes credit○ Commands○ Says “Go!”

○ Coaches employees○ Depends on goodwill○ Generates enthusiasm○ Says “we”○ Fixes the breakdown○ Shows how it is done○ Develops people○ Gives credit○ Asks○ Says “Let’s go!”

Differences between

Editor : Ginny Stone Email: squigglez@telkomsa.net Fax 086 242 2187 Website: http://www.saastec.co.za

The Southern African Association of Science and TechnologyCentres (SAASTEC) represents science and technology centresmostly below the equator in Africa. Formed in 1996, it holds anannual conference which will be at Unizulu Science Centre inRichards Bay, South Africa, November 7–10 this year coincidingwith the host’s 30th birthday celebrations. There are also plansunderway to provide a pre-conference training workshop to assistsouthern African countries keen to start science centres.

Science centres in Africa are still very undeveloped despite manyefforts in the region—especially since the 2011 Science CentreWorld Congress was hosted in Cape Town, South Africa. SAASTEChas often struggled to get members to participate in international activities when they are struggling just to keep afloat.

SO – the theme for this year’s SAASTEC Conference is ISCSMD and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and delegates havebeen asked to describe how their centres or programs address one or more of the SDGs in their presentations. During the conference,about 50 delegates will showcase their response to the SDGs which are so crucial for development in Africa. These presentations will becompiled, providing a comprehensive look at how science centres in southern Africa are addressing the SDGs.

Exciting programmes are planned for Thursday, November 10, the last day of the conference and ISCSMD.A number of international delegates will participate at theconference (more are welcome – see below!) and virtualcontact will be made with science centres worldwide duringthe day, perhaps as follows:

Morning – science centres to the east (NCSM and ASPAC)

Midday – science centres to the north (NAMES and ECSITE)

Afternoon – science centres to the west (ASTC and REDPOP)

SAASTEC welcomes delegates to this extremely affordable conference (registration fee isunder USD 150!) , and full details can be found at www.saastec.co.za. In addition if youwould like to link with our conference on ISCSMD, please contact Derek Fish onthefish@iafrica.com. Hope to see you there!

NAMES 2016 Conference (REACH)5th General Assembly Meeting - 26 - 28 October 2016

4 good reasons not to miss out on this conference…1. 38 renowned speakers and thought-leaders

2. 15 reverses, workshops, and panels that spin across 3 main tracks

3. A chance to gain market exposure, build your business consultancy anddevelopment, and diversify your content and presence to actually change lives!

4. The perfect opportunity for representatives from cultural and heritage museums,aquariums, natural history museums to learn and gain insights

Speakers Include:Mr Ayman Elsayed, Director, the Planetarium Science Center, Bibiotheca Alexandrina (Egypt)

Ms Dorothée Vatinel, France Exhibit Designer and Curator, Cité des sciences et del’industrie, Universcience (France)

To register: http://www.namesnetwork.org/NAMES2016/Registration/RegLogin.aspx

The 18�� SAASTEC Conferencewill be held at

UniZulu Science Centrefrom the

7-10�� November 2016

Diarize these dates now -you don’t want to miss out

on this conference!Please note that the submission ofabstracts closes on the 15th August

2016. To register for the conference andsubmit an abstract go to:

http://conferences.saastec.co.za

More details available on the websitewww.saastec.co.za

~ by Derek Fish

The North Africa and Middle East Science Centers Network (NAMES) was launched on 30 January2006. Its mission is the popularization of science throughout the region by enhancing the public'sunderstanding and involvement in science and scientific culture among an increasingly diverseaudience by means of informal education.

The goal of NAMES is the democratization of science throughout the region by enhancing thepublic's understanding and involvement in science among an increasingly diverse society.

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