Scifest Africa: Other Projects

The National Science Festival

The first of its kind in southern Africa, Scifest Africa is South Africa's national science festival held annually in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape.
Scifest Africa features close to 550 events including popular lectures, interactive exhibitions, workshops, educational theatre, field trips, a soap box derby, laser show, high school quizzes, Science Olympics, science shows and tours. The 2009 festival hosted over 68 000 visitors.

Scifest-on-the-Road

This is Scifest Africa’s national outreach programme which aims to promote science across South Africa.

National Science Week

This is an annual initiative of the Department of Science and Technology, which aims to excite our youth with science at a young age. During this week the Scifest Africa team presents science shows and hands-on workshops at allocated venue in the Eastern Cape.

Regional Festivals

Scifest Africa has run two regional festivals to date. Both have been sponsored by the Embassy of Finland and taken place in Mthatha. The aim of the regional festivals it to take science to those who may not have the opportunity to come to Scifest. The festival takes the form of science shows, lectures and workshops and is a very successful way in engaging with learners who have the desire, but not necessarily the means to enjoy science.

Primary School Outreach

This outreach takes interactive science programmes to historically disadvantaged schools.

SEEDS

The Systemic Education and Extra-Mural Development and Support (SEEDS) is a four-year project funded by the Royal Netherlands Embassy to benefit education in the Western Cape with particular emphasis on maths and science education. Scifest Africa is one of the implementing agencies taking science outreach tours to disadvantaged schools. The programme consists of nine different tours throughout each year.