World Wildlife Day - Wangari Maathai Day

On World Wildlife Day and Wangari Maathai Day, a colouring page honouring this amazing person. The first African woman to receive a Nobel Peace Prize, Prof Maathai was a force of nature and trailblazer. She was also the first woman in Central and East Africa to obtain a PhD (in veterinary anatomy) and the first woman to head a University Department at the University of Kenya. Through the Greenbelt Movement, that she founded and was awarded the Nobel for, she helped tens of thousands of rural people, particularly women, through tree planting programmes and and environmental protection campaigns. In the face of all kinds of political pressure she stood up for what she believed in and championed people that would otherwise not be heard.

When we ask our SuperScientists to name their heroes, many of them have said Wangai Maathai, it’s no wonder. Learn more about why she is such a special person and download this colouring page here then share your amazing colouring with us!

Justin Yarrow
Eskom Science Expo Outreach

We had a fantastic day at the KZN Regional Eskom Science Expo and gave out hundreds of SuperScientists cards. We tried to limit them to three each to make them stretch but it was tough. We met so many passionate learners who had made all sorts of different projects - from measuring the effect on plant growth with different coloured lights to building a wave harnessing electricity generator. It was such a great day and so nice to see all of the interest in what we are doing from learners and teachers alike.

Justin Yarrow
Wildlife Vet and Conservation Champions

Our latest SuperScientist is Dr Lufuno Netshitavhadulu, a wildlife veterinarian at the Kruger National Park. Lufuno’s character joined other SuperScientists we’ve created at the gala evening celebrating the Khetha Story Project, a programme to develop wildlife conservation journalism. Lufuno’s character and profile were funded by the Khetha Project. Thanks to their funding we will also be sending 100 posters of Lufuno and other conservation champions to schools surrounding the Kruger park.

Justin Yarrow
New Visitors - A Small Gift

Thanks for coming to our site on the buzz of our animation trailer! We have a lot of different things that can be downloaded and printed for free. They are currently in a Dropbox link, please dig in. If you’re looking for some great colouring pages, here’s a direct link to them. Colour them in and share with us!

Justin Yarrow
Pilot Animation Trailer

First superhero characters, then a comic, and now an animation! It’s really a dream come true. The rest of the pilot will be coming out this year. We’re working to get it picked up and become a full series. What do you think?

Justin Yarrow
Animation Pilot Characters

Meet the three main SuperScientist characters for our animation! We can’t wait to share some of the story and behind the scenes images of how an animation comes together. Until then, here are animation versions of Rocktor, Bones and GeoTime. We are making the project with The Hidden Hand Studios out of Joburg. If you know Primal, Blood of a Fellow, Naledi, Kizazi Moto - You Give Me Heart, then you’ve seen some of their stunning work. Thanks very much to the National Film and Video Foundation for funding this project.

Justin Yarrow
50,000 visitors, more on the way

Our exhibit launched at Maropeng on the 20th of January, it was brilliant. Four of the scientists visited - Bones, GeoTime, Insight and Cosimc Dawn,, Clyde Beech, our artist was there, the funders from The Canadian High Commission and GENUS were there and at one point a visiting class of learners mobbed the scientists and Clyde for their autographs. That was almost two months ago and we’ll soon pass the 10,000 visitor mark! The feedback from leaners has been wonderful, almost half of them have filled out coloured cards with their superpower dreams, drawings, and real world concerns. The exhibit runs at Maropeng until June and will travel from there.

The exhibit was seen by at least 50,000 visitors while at Maropeng and then moved on to the Sci Bono Discovery Centre, the largest science centre in South Africa for sure. The response from learners was delightful, drawings, and hopes and dreams written out on hundreds, 700, colourful cards.

Justin Yarrow