The expo, which is open to the public on Thursday 11 October (14:00 - 18:00) and Friday, 12 October (08:00 - 16:00) features innovative technology displays and talks by learners, students, NMMU scientists and external experts.
The public, businesses, schools (primary and secondary) and all tertiary institutions are encouraged to visit the expo which offers something for everyone and entrance is free.
The expo will end on a high note on Friday afternoon with a fun-filled, lively and exciting Explosive Science Show presented by Experilab. The show is geared towards a better understanding of science and technology and is suitable for audiences of all ages. Science kits and novelties will also be on sale.
Organisations, businesses and initiatives such as Wessa, Omnisolar, Engenius Toys/Lego, Astro Tours and G3ECS - a group of geeks who meet once a week on a voluntary basis to educate enquiring minds of all ages in the art of electronics and computers - will also participate in this event.
Climate smart organic agriculture
Some of the interesting topics up for discussion include 'Climate smart organic agriculture' - a talk by Prof Raymond Auerbach who coordinates the Agricultural Management Programme at NMMU George. His talk will cover declining food quality, climate change and the need to change the way we farm so that we produce more healthy food with less water and less non-solar energy. Exciting developments in ecological agriculture in the US, Europe, Egypt and Uganda will also be touched on, and the challenges for South African agriculture in our sensitive environment will be discussed.
Solar energy systems
NMMU Professor of Physics, Dr Deon Raubenheimer who is also a speaker at SCIEX 2012 says although South Africa produces a small percentage of the total global carbon emission, it plays a disproportionately large role, per person, in contributing towards the greenhouse effect. However, he holds an optimistic view of our country's ability to make a transition to the use of sustainable energy resources. "Few societies in the world have a chance to re-invent themselves without having to go through a civil war, or economic collapse - I believe we can leapfrog beyond most of the developed worlds by mandating the application of sustainable energy resources which we are so blessed with."
Dr Frederik Vorster of NMMU's Centre for Energy Research will give a brief introduction to the physics of the photovoltaic effect (solar cells), an overview of photovoltaic materials and a summary of solar cell and module manufacturing techniques. "With the tremendous increase in awareness of solar modules to produce electricity from the sun (photovoltaics), it has perhaps become more important to inform the general public of the basic operation of these devices and possibly also highlight pitfalls when acquiring solar modules for domestic use," says Dr Vorster.
Contact etienne.vanzyl@glenwoodhouse.co.za, 044 871 4048 / 073 941 5372 for more information or to arrange for visits by school groups.
The Thursday lecture programme is repeated on the Friday.
The schedule for the expo.
