National Science Week (NSW), an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is an annual countrywide celebration of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation (STEMI). NSW runs in all nine provinces simultaneously, at multiple sites per province. The aim is to promote public awareness of and engagement with science, technology and innovation (STI), to promote science and technology literacy, as well as their pivotal role in addressing issues affecting people. A variety of stakeholders and/or role players conduct science-based activities that promote general awareness of the value of STEMI to people’s daily lives.

Each year a different theme is chosen and activities are offered around the theme to the target audiences. The theme for 2017 is “Advancing Science Tourism” and it is aligned with the United Nation’s International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. This year, South Africa aims to showcase what it can offer when it comes to science tourism and celebrate the possibilities that science creates. The theme will allow all South Africans from all walks of life in different provinces to celebrate a link between science and tourism. It will encourage discussions around what makes South Africa special and showcase natural diversity.

In 2017 NSW runs from 5 to 12 August 2017.

7-8 August – Science Postgraduate Symposium
The Faculty of Science at UCT is celebrating National Science Week by hosting the Science Postgraduate Symposium entitled: “Science through an African lens”, where several high level scientists from the Faculty will be key note speakers about their research and work.

9-11 August – Eskom Cape Town Expo for Young Scientists
The Faculty of Science is hosting the annual Eskom Cape Town Expo for Young Scientists. At this event, young scientists from schools in the Western Cape will exhibit their own investigative projects. At the Expo, learners can discuss their work with judges, teachers and learners from other schools and with other interested people. Science Faculty postgraduate students and staff are judges at the event and give students feedback on their projects.