GEORGE NEWS - Nelson Mandela Metropolitian University (NMMU) and Glenwood House School have joined forces for the third consecutive year to present the science expo, ScieX 2014, which annually attracts large numbers of learners, educators, members of the public and industry stakeholders from George and the surrounding areas.

Sustainable food production will be under the spotlight this year with the theme 'Food for All' - derived from the United Nations International Year of Family Farming.

NMMU Glenwood Science Expo (ScieX 2014) has been scheduled for today and tomorrow, Thursday 31 July and Friday 1 August, between 09:00 and 16:00. The venue for the expo is Glenwood House School, just off Knysna Street, at the intersection of Pine Lodge.

The format of the expo includes presentations by NMMU and other academics, postgraduate students, learners and external experts; as well as innovative displays and practical demonstrations. For the more adventurous, "spectacular" chemistry demonstrations conducted under controlled conditions will again be included in the programme.

With topics or exhibits on aquaponics, vertical gardening, genetics and genetic modification (speaker - Pierre Maritz, from Klein Karoo Saad); the Agri Park concept (to be addressed by Dr Jan Raats), and its role in Food Security; guided eco tours to the campus’ wetlands area, and much more ScieX 2014 offers "something for everyone", and should appeal to both the youth and adult market. It is also highly recommended for learners who take life sciences and/or physical sciences as a subject, and should appeal to subject educators too.

Whether you would like to know more about the economics of food production; or are curious about the mopani worm and learning how a better understanding of it could assist decision-makers in protecting it as a natural resource for future generations; or whether you would like to join culinary guru and well-known celebrity chef Francois Ferreira for his lunchtime talk and demo titled FEED, visit ScieX 2014 and enrich your mind for a more sustainable future.


The role-players at the NMMU/Glenwood House science expo are, from left: Trevor Balzer (acting director-general of the Department of Water Affairs), NMMU George Campus Principal Prof Quinton Johnson, Mr Dennis Symes (headmaster of Glenwood House School) and Prof Andrew Leitch (NMMU’s executive dean of the science faculty).

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