National Science Week 2024: Sharing Life In A High-Tech World
National Science Week is an annual celebration of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation (STEMI) that brings together thousands of students and members of the public for workshops, science exhibitions and lectures.
This year’s activities will be held around the country in universities, schools, science centres and public facilities under the theme, “Living in a high-tech world: should we be concerned?” The official launch will take place on 28 September 2024 at the Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein, setting the stage for a week of dynamic discussions and activities that will take place nationwide from 30 September to 6 October 2024.
NSW2024 addresses the challenges of high-tech science in a high-tech environment. And that’s a challenge the BBSA Community definitely understands very well.
The Biodiversity Biobanks South Africa (BBSA) is made up of biodiversity biobank researchers who can be found all over South Africa – on university campuses, in dedicated research facilities and even at national parks, handling samples from bacteria, plants, fungi and rhinos (and more). Meet some of them here. BBSA biobanks store, study and share hundreds of thousands of samples of biological material from plants, animals, bacteria and fungi, from field to farm to ocean – and beyond.
The vision of the BBSA is about securing and exploring South Africa’s biodiversity – and that requires a lot of very advanced techniques and technologies – with all the challenges that come with it, from specimen collection to data storage (and more).
So for NSW2024, we’d like to extend an invitation to the BBSA community. Do you have a National Science Week 2024 event, story or activity you’d like to share? Just let us know on info@bbsa.org.za – we’d love to hear from you!
And while you’re at it, feel free to browse the NSW2024 programme, and download official National Science Week media here. And don’t forget to register your event.
Happy NSW2024!
About the BBSA
The Biodiversity Biobanks South Africa (BBSA) provides a coordinating structure across several of South Africa’s biodiversity biobanks. The vision of the BBSA is about securing and exploring South Africa’s biodiversity – by increasing the range and quality of samples stored and/or distributed, and increasing and improving access for research and development through a single, centralised data portal, which will also allow more strategic collection of samples.
For more information about the Biodiversity Biobanks South Africa, please visit our BBSA FAQ page, or follow us on:
- Facebook: @BioBankSA
- Twitter: @BioBankSA
- LinkedIn: Biodiversity Biobanks South Africa
- YouTube: @BiodiversityBiobanksSA
- WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LCtf6vKiNmi3qZJRkgxQV0
And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to visit our Contact Page, or email us on info@bbsa.org.za. Don’t be shy – we want to hear from you!
What are biodiversity biobanks?
Biodiversity biobanks are repositories of biologically relevant resources, including reproductive tissues such as seeds, eggs and sperm, other tissues including blood, DNA extracts, microbial cultures (active and dormant), and environmental samples containing biological communities….
