HartRAO Home

HartRAO Home > news > Sasol Techno X 2008/08/11-15


Sasol Techno X 2008/08/11-15


Each year Sasol sponsors the Techno X South African science and technology exhibition at a site next to its Sasolburg plant. For 2008 HartRAO joined forces with the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) to present "Astronomy SA" to the visitors. Anacletta Koloko and Sam Rametse came from HartRAO, while Sivuyile Manxoyi and Cedric Jacobs flew up from SAAO in Cape Town.

Sam commented, "Techno X was very successful and very well organised. A memorable event was the young learner who, energised by the show, came up to me to tell me he wants to become an astronomer".

Five or more school groups had shows about astronomy each day. While most visiting schools were from relatively nearby - Sasolburg, Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark, Johannnesburg - the attraction of the expo is revealed in the distances many school travelled. Phetogane Secondary came from Thaba Nchu, Mafube Intermediate came from Phuthadijhaba, and Nthathakuza Secondary came from Winterton in Kwazulu-Natal. Others came from Klerksdorp and Delareyville in the NorthWest Province. Smaller towns in the Free State from which schools arrived included Frankfort, Heilbron, Ventersburg, Viljoensdrift, Viljoenskroon and Vredefort.

award
Left click on image for large version.

Outside the "Astronomy SA" tent.

award
Left click on image for large version.

A school group streams into the tent.

award
Left click on image for large version.

Scales giving one's weight on Earth, the Moon, Jupiter and the Sun were popular.

award
Left click on image for large version.

A school group investigates the displays.

award
Left click on image for large version.

Learners investigate a model of a possible layout for the Karoo Array Telescope (KAT).

award
Left click on image for large version.

HartRAO's Sam Rametse during an astronomy presentation.

award
Left click on image for large version.

SAAO's Sivuyile Manxoyi talks about astronomy in South Africa to the visitors.

award
Left click on image for large version.

The scales were a "great attractor".

award
Left click on image for large version.

A rare quiet time! Sam and Sivuyile assist visitors.

award
Left click on image for large version.

Sivuyile discusses the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project with departing learners.

award
Left click on image for large version.

Sivuyile relaxes as a group departs. He is chatting to HartRAO's Anacletta Koloko, in the black jacket.

award
Left click on image for large version.

This year the Astronomy SA team won the award for best presentation. Anacletta Koloko and Sam Rametse are shown above with the award, back at HartRAO.