Richtersveld Science Day

The Richtersveld

The Richtersveld World Heritage Site (www.richtersveld.net/) is a natural conservancy that provides refuge for the Nama tradition, culture and lifestyle. This natural conservation area forms one of South Africa's premier National Parks and has become a natural laboratory for Social Sciences, Botany, Zoology and Geology. This is also one of the very few places where the "transhumance" lifestyle can be seen. This describes the nomadic lifestyle of the Nama herders who travel seasonally with their livestock through the arid and mountainous landscape, from mountain to river while maintaining a sensitive ecosystem balance with the surrounding flora and fauna.

Despite the success of the conservancy, the Richtersveld remains one of the most (if not the most) isolated regions in South Africa. The Field School thus provides an ideal opportunity for the participants to interact with the predominant Nama community and share stories of their knowledge and experience. This will provide priceless interaction for everybody. It is with this in mind that the Field School of 2014 will begin the Richtersveld Science Day.

The Richtersveld Science Day

The Richtersveld Science Day will provide an opportunity for the participants of the Field School 2014 to interact with scholars (and the community at large) at two schools in the Richtersveld. This includes: Eksteenfontein (http://www.richtersveld.net/index.php/site/town/eksteenfontein/) and Kuboes (http://www.richtersveld.net/index.php/site/town/kuboes/). It is envisioned that this may provide the impetus for similar programmes to be undertaken in the Richtersveld and promote knowledge sharing within South Africa, especially reaching into the most isolated regions of South Africa.

The provisional dates and events are as follows (and of course are open to the general public):

Sunday 16 November 2014 - 19h00: Astronomy lecture under the stars (Eksteenfontein)

Monday 17 November 2014 - 08h30: Science Day at Eksteenfontein Primary

Friday 21 November 2014 - 10h00: Science Day at Kuboes Primary

Saturday 22 November 2014 - 19h00: Astronomy lecture at Sedelingsdrift Camp (National Park)

Some of the material covered during the science day will include (Note: will be done predominantly in Afrikaans due to the minimal understanding of English in the Richtersveld):

Understanding what we know and don't know about the Universe

The composition and build of the Earth

Rocks: their stories uncovered

Any contributions (recommendations, ideas, teaching aids) would be greatly welcomed and immensely appreciated!

"The Best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others.." - Mahatma Gandhi