Seven days of Science Extravaganza….



SAIAB Stall at Scifest Africa
with learners capturing information about the organisation

“Cleared and stained” - the chemistry behind the National Fish Collection was the focus of SAIAB’s exhibition at this year’s Scifest Africa. This national science extravaganza was held in Grahamstown from 4-10 May 2011. Well attended by learners, students, teachers, scientists and anyone with a passion for science, it provided them all the opportunity to interact with and understand the diversity of science.

Themed “Science across Cultures,” the festival looked at what makes us human, what makes us different, the universality of science, the contribution of different cultures (past and present) to the development of modern science and highlighted the contribution indigenous knowledge systems make to mankind.

SAIAB participated in this seven day festival and showcased the chemistry behind the curation procedures involved in conserving different aquatic specimens for future generations. The display reflected 2011 as the International Year of Chemistry and consisted of banners with in-depth information about the organisation and the collections facility, special specimens, and simple models of the atoms that bond to form the chemicals used to preserve fishes and other aquatic organisms. A competition for learners with inquisitive minds was held which promoted their engagement with and awareness about SAIAB.

In addition, SAIAB ran apprenticeships throughout Scifest at which Grade 11 and 12 learners and members of the public had the opportunity to spend a morning at SAIAB for a hands-on experience of what scientists do in their day-to-day research. These apprenticeships included sessions on how to preserve fish and the different chemicals used in preservation, saving endangered species through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and a day in the life of a research assistant.

Dr Gavin Gouws, Aquatic Biologist at SAIAB offered a session on the barcoding process, illustrating the DNA barcode and how it is generated in the laboratory, collection of data to accompany the barcode and the exploration of the barcoding database. SAIAB’s Chief Scientist, Professor Alan Whitfield took his group on a guided tour of the estuaries between the Great Fish and Kowie Rivers where the river meets the sea, highlighting the different types of estuaries and some of the animals and plants living in these specialized systems.



Competition draw


On the final day of Scifest, SAIAB’s Managing Director, Professor Paul Skelton, together with Ms Anja Fourie, Director, Scifest Africa, did the SAIAB competition draw. The winner was Litha Somdyala from Masixole Secondary School in Mdantsane. Somdyala will receive a hamper from SAIAB which consists of posters, booklets and two reference books which have been signed by the authors - A Complete Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa by Paul Skelton and the Coastal Fishes of Southern Africa by Phil and Elaine Heemstra.