Science-fiction is one of the biggest genres in Hollywood, producing some of the highest-grossing movies of all time. Strange as it may sound, given its current popularity, sci-fi was all but dead 30 years ago, in motion-picture terms at least. Modern movie sci-fi owes its popularity to the vision of one man. Catch the classics at the Sasol SciFest.
Grissom looks puzzled – The corpse on the gurney is semi-decomposed and the coroner is battling to get to grips with what happened. This is a typical scene from the TV series <i>CSI</i>, which follows the adventures of a team of top forensic pathologists. But what television doesn’t tell you is that, more often than not, the heroes of crime scene investigation are not even human – they are insects.
When Karen Trendler started up the Animal Rehabilitation Centre (ARC) in the kitchen of her home in Kameeldrift, outside Pretoria, she had nothing but a background in nature conservation and a limitless compassion for animals to draw upon. But Trendler was single-minded in her commitment to make ARC work.
About 100-million sharks, rays and skates are being killed every year, and experts predict that if this current rate continues, in 20 years many species will become extinct. Already it has been established that some species of shark face the risk of extinction having dropped in population numbers by 89% between 1986 and 2000.
"We are playing a key role in long-term environmental observation. We need to make predictions with regards to our environment." What does the future hold for our protected flora and fauna and the people who manage these vital areas? Hector Magome of South African National Parks speaks to Sharon van Wyk
Traditional medicine in South Africa could face severe shortages of raw materials because of stubborn seeds. Not only are these seeds unable to be stored effectively, but the traditional medicine market is causing these plants to be over-utilised and this could lead to extinction.
If you are too young to have learnt to spell the word “science”, don’t worry – Sasol SciFest has a special programme for children aged four to eight. Called the Playfair, participants can expect a different science experience each morning, from chocolate-making workshops to building radios.
By far the most popular attractions each year at Sasol SciFest, the exhibitions are set to outdo themselves this year with the return of old favourites, some fresh young blood and the winners of last year’s best exhibit awards. Running each day of the festival, the exhibitions are open from 9am to 5pm. Entrance is free.
The idea that the French respect their intellectuals dies hard among the British. And when you wander around the streets of any French city it’s easy to see why. Rues Voltaire, Hugo and Racine tend to recur just round the corner from the equally conventional Rue Bonaparte.
There are a mere 1 000 Cape Parrots left in the wild, and the forests where they live are fast disappearing. Flying the Cape Parrot flag high at SciFest 2005 will be Professor Mike Perrin from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.