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Over one hundred delegates participated in the conference, including visitors to South Africa from Botswana, Mocambique, Namibia, Swaziland and Zambia, together with international keynote speakers Tim Caulton from Magna Science Centre, Sheffield, UK, Marie Radbo from Chalmers University, Sweden, and Alister Hallaway from Science Alive!, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Thirty seven formal talks were made during the two and a half day conference, together with demonstrations and exhibits. Carl Ahlers of Experilab provided great entertainment with many demonstrations at the Wednesday evening dinner until eclipsed by a thunderstorm, but rivalled the thunder the following morning with his exploding pumpkin.
The Opening address was delivered by Dr. Botlale Thema, the recently appointed Chief Director: Public Science and International Liaison of the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology. She described her vision for a national network of Arts and Science Centres, with a flagship centre in each province providing support for satellite centres.
SAASTEC President Mike Bruton discussed the proposed network and the relationship with SAASTEC in his followup talk. Tim Caulton provided insights into the "four science centres in one" at the Magna Science Centre, created in what was the largest steelworks in the world. Marie Radbo demonstrated wonderfully the potential for using astronomy to excite people about science, and also showed off her inflatable planetarium, which she has very kindly donated to FEST.
The talks and demonstrations that followed covered a great range of topics, from the theory and practise of starting a science centre through testing DNA to making sundials, telescopes and orreries.
At the Annual General Meeting on Thursday morning, Mike Bruton was re-elected to Council and as president, and Mike Gaylard was also re-elected. Three new members were also elected to Council: Mr. Kebadire Basaako of Botec, Ms. Libby Kaberry of the Boitjorisong Resource Centre, Sasolburg, and Mr. George Mvalo of the Cape Technikon.
The next annual conference of SAASTEC will be hosted by the MTN Sciencentre in Cape Town and will be held on 2002 Dec 9 - 11, to follow on from the 7th International Conference on the Public Communication of Science and Technology, to be held in Cape Town on 2002 Dec 5 - 7
The pictures below give an idea of what took place, courtesy of itinerant photographer and ex-President, Derek Fish.
SAASTEC President Mike Bruton looks at the future of science centres.
Getting caught up in the interactives.
Relaxing in Africa.
Taking a good look at whats happening.
Marie Radbo gets into the spirit of Africa...
...as does Tim Caulton, at the braai at Berg en Dal, Kruger National Park.
