“Food for All” under the spotlight NMMU/Glenwood ScieX 2014

NELSON MANDELA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY (NMMU) and Glenwood House School have joined forces for the third consecutive year to present the inclusive science expo – ScieX 2014 – which annually attracts large numbers of learners, educators, members of the public and industry stakeholders from George and environs.

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 Thursday 31 July and Friday 1 August 2014, between 09:00 and 16:00.  The venue for the expo is Glenwood House School, just off Knysna Rd, at the intersection with 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 of 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!

Mr Trevor Balzer, Acting Director-General of the Department of Water Affairs, was the keynote speaker at the opening event of the NMMU Glenwood ScieX last year. He is accompanied here by the 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. Visitors to ScieX 2014 themed Food for All, can look forward to what promises to be a very interesting programme.