IYA Events at the National Museum, Bloemfontein
The National Museum has planned activities to engage the public in various ways.
Outreach programmes at selected schools include visits by the Education Department of the Museum with presentations on the Solar System and the Universe to pre-primary, primary and high schools.
A scale model of the sun and planets will be built in the garden of Oliewenhuis Art Museum. A selected school will build the planets using recycled materials, while the Museum’s technical departments will build the sun. Learners will be taken on a tour from the “sun” to the “planets”, where presenters will share interesting facts about each planet. This exhibition will be open for viewing by learners on Thursday 15 October. Schools that would like to attend this Astronomical Tour will need to book in advance. Bookings can be made at the Museum (051 4479 609, ask for Tebogo). Entrance is free but the schools will have to arrange their own transport to Oliewenhuis Art Museum. The Astronomical Tour will also be open to the general public from 15h00 to 16h30 on 15 October and from 08h00 to 16h30 on Friday 16 October.
A “Picnic under the Stars” will be held on Friday 16 October at 18h00 at Oliewenhuis Art Museum. The event will start with a presentation entitled “Spring skies and Constellations” presented by Mr Phillip Coetzer, a member of the Bloemfontein Centre of the Astronomical Society of SA. Entrance is free but booking is essential (051 447 9609, ask for Tebogo). Bring your own picnic baskets, blankets or chairs and join us for a fun-filled evening of stargazing.