Supernova issue 8

Press release

With the holidays on our heels, what better time to pick up a copy of the latest issue of Supernova for a fun holiday read! This issue is guaranteed to keep you glued to its pages for hours and then keep you busy for even more hours afterwards, trying out all the fun stuff packed into this issue!

Because we know we all 'let go' during the holidays and eat a few more treats than we should, you simply have to try the peanut butter and chocolate mug cake with a cup of authentic Mayan spicy chocolate drink on the side.

While your friends and family are tucking in to the treats you made, wow them with a one or two magic tricks – just remember, a great magician doesn't reveal their secrets!

If you're stuck inside on a rainy day, you don't have to be bored because you can make your own volcano, try your hand at our Sudoku puzzle, or make your own funky wrapping paper and gift bags with newspaper and a lick of paint! See? Supernova is just bursting with fun stuff!

Enjoy and happy holidays!

For more information contact:

Andrea Vermaak

Editor
BK Publishing || e: andrea@bkpublishing.co.za || c: (+27)082 888 0482 || t: (+27) 12 342 5347 || f: (+27) 12 342 4117 ||

www.supernovamagazine.co.za

Festive greetings!

100 days until the globe switches off for WWF’s Earth Hour 2013

Exactly 100 days from now, homes, businesses, community groups, schools, iconic landmarks and cities across the planet will take part in the world’s largest public action for the environment – WWF’s Earth Hour. This global mass participation movement encourages people all over the world to turn off their lights for one hour in a symbolic gesture to pledge their commitment to doing something positive for the planet.

“There is special power in Earth Hour’s bold simplicity, a moment shared in darkness,” says Morné du Plessis, CEO of WWF South Africa. “Many people care about our environment, but feel overwhelmed by the enormity of what we can do. Earth Hour is not about saving electricity for an hour. It’s an opportunity for all of us to come together to celebrate, reflect on our actions and impact, and make a renewed commitment to preserving our planet. We are all connected, and we must remember that our individual actions make a collective difference!”

At 8:30pm local time on Saturday, 23 March 2013, Earth Hour  will see hundreds of millions of people around the world unite as the planet plunges in to darkness when lights are switched off in a moment of contemplation for the planet and celebration of their year-round commitment to protect it.

The iconic ‘lights out’ event has seen some of the most recognised buildings and landmarks switch off in celebration of the one thing that unites us all – the planet. These include Table Mountain in Cape Town to the Nelson Mandela Bridge in Johannesburg, the Sydney Opera House in Australia to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, the Forbidden City in China to the Eiffel Tower in Paris and Buckingham Palace in London.

More than 7,000 cities in 152 countries took part in 2012, growing exponentially since 2011 when over 5,000 cities in 135 countries engaged in the power of Earth Hour. This year, Earth Hour again challenged people to go beyond the hour with a new campaign called I Will If You Will (IWIYW). Based on a social contract between parties, the online video platform inspired individuals and organisations to share their personal dare with the world by asking, “What are you willing to do to save the planet?” 

The IWIYW campaign continues in 2013 and WWF calls on everyone to create their own challenge for the betterment of our planet and the protection of the environment, to declare and share our commitment to action beyond the hour.

Over the years South Africans have embraced the spirit of Earth Hour to unite and celebrate with global citizens of the earth, and WWF South Africa (WWF-SA) will continue to spread a message of engagement and active citizenship. “We encourage the public to share their stories, create their own challenges as well as host their own events, to participate in whatever ways they feel best honour our earth,” explains du Plessis.

Du Plessis concludes, “As we head towards the end of 2012, and a new year ahead, consider your wish for the earth when making your own new year’s resolutions. Whether investing in a solar geyser or energy-saving light bulbs, unplugging unused appliances or recycling, our small actions can have great combined impact”.

WWF-SA wishes to collect stories from everyday South Africans about how they have celebrated Earth Hour over the years as well as discover the beyond the hour commitments to honour and care for our earth. Stories can be sent to earthhour@wwf.org.za.

Earth Hour listing:

WWF’s Earth Hour 2013

At 8:30pm local time on Saturday, 23 March 2013, unite with hundreds of millions of people around the world for WWF’s Earth Hour 2013 as the planet goes dark when lights are switched off in a symbolic gesture to pledge their commitment to doing something positive for the planet. 

When:            Saturday, 23 March 2013, 8:30 – 9:30pm local time

Where:            Across the globe, in your city, in your home

Why:               Celebrate your commitment to the planet, in unity with fellow citizens of the planet.

How:               Switch off your non-essential lights, organise a local get together or participate in 

                        whatever way you choose. WWF South Africa would also love to hear stories of your   

                        celebrations and commitment beyond the hour. Send them to earthhour@wwf.org.za.

Website:         www.earthhour.org.za to find out how you can sign up, share your stories, challenge

                        others, celebrate and switch over to more sustainable ways of preserving our planet.

Supernova magazine team members have already signed up! 

Have you?

December madness: Part 2

The second part to your complimentary holiday guide:

16. Star gaze

Whether you believe in aliens or not, keep an eye on the night sky this month. The Geminid meteor shower is also a main attraction from the 13^th to 14^th of December and will be seen all across the globe. If that doesn’t really tickle your fancy, you can go to the Planetarium.

17. Visit uShaka Marine World

From penguins to sharks, uShaka has it all! Take the day (and some very comfortable shoes) to explore all they have to offer when it comes to sea life.

18. Have a sleepover

Invite a few of your child’s friends over and let them watch movies or just try out the fun activities in Supernova.

19. Build-a-Bear

For our Christian readers, this will make a great Christmas present. The children will love ‘designing’ their own teddy bears with their very own birth certificates.

20. Go green

Make the effort these holidays to make your home a little greener. Many hardware stores stock environmentally friendlier paints and light bulbs.

21. Have a Hanukkah/ Christmas party

Have friends and family over to celebrate the festive season. It might be a good time to try out Supernova’s Inklings' hot chocolate and microwave cake.

22. Start a band

Have fun by just getting your child’s friends over for a musical meeting.

23. Go to Gold Reef City or Ratanga Junction

Scream your lungs out on all the rides that these amusement parks have to offer. Keep some brown bags in the car just in case for when you go home…

24. Garden

Get your child interested in creepy crawlies and plants by letting them help you in the garden. Starting your own vegetable garden is a good idea.

25. Painting

Finger painting is wonderfully relaxing. Make sure you have enough newspaper out so that the paint does not stain any furniture or clothes.

26. Boksburg Wild Waters

Boksburg Wild Waters is fantastic for the entire family. If you don’t have New Years plans yet, give them a call for a wild time.

27. Learn a new language

You can never know enough languages. Grab the language of your choice’s dictionary and get practising your pronunciation!

28. Learn to play an instrument

This might come in handy if your child decided to go with activity number 22. Music lessons may be necessary if it really catches on or if you can’t handle the noise anymore...

29. Botanical gardens

Get enthusiastic about plant life! The whole family can enjoy the beautiful views and hiking trails at the Botanical Gardens. Visit http://www.sanbi.org/ for more information.

30. Learn to meditate

In today’s society, stress is very much part of everyone’s lives. Learning to meditate might be more of an activity for mom, but the kids may also benefit from this skill when they do go back to school.

31. Go fishing

Our marketing and sales intern, Helga Odendaal, will be able to tell you all about fishing and its relaxing qualities. Make sure to not hurt the fish when you do catch one and to throw it back into the water.

And a bonus:

32. Read Supernova magazine!

Don’t forget to take a copy of Supernova with you these hols! Keep your child’s brain muscles flexed with our Inklings page and the fact-stuffed articles.

Whatever you decide to do this December, be safe! If you've tried out any of our listed activities, please send us pictures! We would love to see!

By Carina Vermooten

December madness: Part 1

The December holidays are finally upon us and after such a hectic year, a break is definitely in order. If you have children, it can be a nightmare to try and keep the little rascals constructively occupied during the next four to five weeks. Don’t know how? Supernova magazine and BK Publishing are here to help!

31 activities for 31 days

1. Go to the zoo

Not only will your children be able to run around like mad things without getting into trouble, everyone in the family will get to see some exotic animals while being outdoors and spending quality time together. Visit http://www.nzg.ac.za/ to find your nearest zoo.

2. Have a picnic

A good way to spend time together as a family these holidays and for the kids to get rid of excess energy is to have a picnic. Pack some healthy treats and a blanket, and head for the great outdoors! Remember to also pack in the Frisbee or a ball to play with after lunch.

3. Go for a hike

When you are going hiking, fill your backpack with the following essentials:

• A water bottle
• Sunscreen
• A hat
• Energy bars
• Your camera
• A compass

Wear comfortable shoes. 

All good hikers know never to go hiking alone so make sure everyone stays together in a group.

4. Build a fort

Let your kids take over the living room and build a fort. Some of our best childhood memories here at BK Publishing involve us building forts out of blankets and pillows.

5. Bake something delicious

Keep an eye out for the next issue of Supernova magazine for two extremely delectable recipes for microwave cake and hot chocolate. The recipes are fun, easy and quick to make.

6. Play some putt-putt

Try your hand at mini golf this December by taking the family out. The games don’t last as long as a proper golf game does, but it lasts long enough to keep the entire family entertained for a few hours.

7. Ice skating

Ice skating makes for hours of fun! Take something warm to wear with or just drop the kids off while you go do shopping.

8. Go look at the Christmas lights in Lawley street, Waterkloof, Pretoria.

During the festive time, Lawley street is wonderful to go to at night. The residents decorate their houses with fairy lights and many people go at night time to look at the beautiful little lights.

9. Go to the museum

Look what museums are in your area and pay them a visit. Museums often have great interactive displays that will engage your child’s mind.

10. Go camping

Spend time in the great outdoors by planning a camping trip. Get the marshmallows and ghost stories ready! Plus, it’s also a great way to get the children away from the television.

11. Volunteer at a charity

Charities always need support and volunteers. Find out which charities are in your area and offer your support. It may also just teach the kids to appreciate what they have.

12. Puzzles

Whether it’s a crossword or a jigsaw, puzzles are a great way to keep the brain juices flowing.

13. Go bowling

Improve hand-eye coordination with this activity. Think of it as an investment for all the future driving lessons…

14. Play board games

Monopoly, Cluedo, 30 Seconds and Scrabble are awesome games to get everyone amped up!

15. Recycle

Keep the planet clean by recycling and making it a habit for 2013.

Look out for December madness: Part 2 tomorrow!

By Carina Vermooten

Holiday fun time for the kids!

Tanya Brown will be running another Amuse programme from the 10-13 December (Monday-Thursday) in these upcoming school holidays. Amuse is an arts and music programme that was founded by Tanya in 2007. The mission of Amuse is as follows:

“To provide children with an experiential, creative and fun encounter with the arts (including music, drama, dance and visual art) through hands-on, practical activities, facilitated by trained professionals and arts enthusiasts.” 

Amuse caters for children from ages four to ten, and works on a daily rotational programme, where the children move between various fun and age-appropriate activities. Some of these activities include: guitar, keyboard, and drumming skills; musical baking; movement and dance; visual arts and crafts; music appreciation; and drama skills. Every day, the Amusers are exposed to a new, interesting instrument. In the past, Amuse has explored, experienced, played and listened to the electric guitar, the saxophone, a drum kit, the trombone, the violin, and many other interesting instruments.

Please see the flyer below for more details regarding this amazing holiday programme:

Amazinging holiday reads!

Congratulations class of 2012!

BK Publishing interns: Helga Odendaal and Charné Oosthuysen

For us here at BK Publishing, we had the joy of experiencing the enthusiasm that comes with graduating. Two of our interns, Charné and Helga, found out yesterday that they passed all their modules at the University of Pretoria, without getting any rewrites. We celebrated accordingly – sitting around our publisher’s computer screen, our mouths stuffed with red velvet cupcakes and champagne, looking for errors on a layout. Have no fear, it was a quarter of a tiny glass of champagne each!

For many of our Supernova readers, next year will be a year of new beginnings and a lot of change. ‘Graduating’ primary school and moving on to high school is either a dream come true or a worst nightmare.

Here is our totally rad guide to making a smooth transition from primary school to high school:

1. Be friendly – Regardless of teenagers all being notoriously famous for being grumpy, moody and sometimes just down right nasty, they are still human. Everyone prefers a smile to a huge scowl.
2. Be yourself – Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not. You are unique and people will love you for it.
3. Don’t take initiation too seriously – The older kids will initially find you to be very strange and amusing, but they’ll get over it soon enough. If you do feel that you are being bullied, speak to a teacher.
4. Work hard – High school is the place where you start paving the way for your future for when you leave school. Work as hard as you possibly can so that you can achieve your goals and make your dreams come true, whatever they might be.
5. Be strong – Don’t give in to peer pressure. It’s not worth the trouble you’ll be getting into if you do make a very bad decision.
6. Read Supernova – Always keep your brain muscles flexed and knowledge sharp!

However great or bad high school ends up being, it won’t last forever!

To all our Supernova readers going to high school, we wish you the best of luck and we hope that the experience is a ton of fun!

By Carina Vermooten

Expo winner now a London International Youth Science Forum counselor

2011 Eskom Expo for Young Scientists overall winner, Palesa Masuku, has been appointed a counsellor at the prestigious London International Youth Science Forum (LIYSF).

Palesa Masuku

In addition to being the joint winner of the Eskom Best Female Project, as part of her prize Masuku also received the opportunity to travel to the Science Forum in September 2012, which is attended annually by some of the world’s best young achievers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation.

Her school, JM Ntsime High School, situated in a rural area near Rustenberg, also won the Eskom Best Rural High School award and received a mobile science kit valued at over R25 000 in 2011.

The LIYSF is a unique event and opportunity for top young science students aged 17 to 21 years old from around the world. Since 1959, LIYSF has welcomed young scientists to come together to learn, exchange views and opinions, and share knowledge.

Students also get the chance to visit some of the world’s leading university departments and industrial sites. A key aspect of the programme is the plenary and specialist lectures hosted by some of the world’s most renowned scientists who speak on a broad range of pertinent and inspiring topics.

Masuku, who wowed the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists judges last year with her idea of using marula fruit as an alternative energy source, says she is “over the moon” and will be grabbing the opportunity with both hands.

“Right now I feel very proud, honoured and privileged to be part of something so great. I can’t wait to play an even greater part in other scientists’ lives and to help and guide them to discover their talents and exciting career paths in science,” says Masuku.

Masuku, who had never been overseas before, says London is not too different from South Africa, but the experience was great and the opportunity to learn and share ideas with young scientists from all over the world, even better.

Palesa Masuku

Her role as a LIYS counsellor in 2013 will involve helping to take care of and guide other young scientists both at Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair and the London International Science Fair.

Dr Steve Lennon, Eskom Group Executive on Sustainability, says Eskom is delighted and proud to be playing a part in grooming Masuku.

“Palesa is an excellent ambassador as she is a young person who has demonstrated a consciousness of the challenges faced by the people in her community, as well as the motivation to find creative solutions to those problems. She is also committed to helping other bright science minds such as herself and we are thrilled with her accomplishments and the maturity she has displayed since we first met her.”

Competition: win a copy of Supernova!

What are you doing to save energy? If you are 18 and under, let us know by leaving a comment below this post, or by emailing andrea@bkpublishing.co.za. You can win a copy of Supernova magazine!

Saving energy in our communities

Members of the Seven Schools Club

The Supernova team would like to make mention of two finalists in the Community category at the Eskom eta Awards 2012, especially because both projects involve children and 'greening' our planet - both of which are close to our hearts.

A joint winner in the Community category is Seven Schools Club from Nelspruit. This group of seven schools includes: Sakhile High School, Inkhanyeti Primary School, Khutsalani High School, Phatfwa High School, Sandzile Primary School, Embonisweni Primary School and Tsembaletfu Primary School. These schools joined forces to establish a recycling campaign. They have raised R5380 by recycling 16 244 kgs of waste, while 53 473.92 kilowatt hours of energy have been saved. How are you going to get your school involved in recycling?

Seven Schools Club

Seven Schools Club recycling station

The finalist we would like to mention is Bush Pigs Outdoor Education Centre. Supernova Editor Andrea Vermaak remembers going to Bush Pigs as a school learner and is proud that the centre does not only teach children more about the environment, but that they are looking after it too. 

Claire Warner (Wessa) and
Bush Pigs managers Steve and Kerry Baytop

During 2009, Bush Pigs was adopted by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa) and joined the Wessa Eco-Schools' programme in 2010. After conducting an energy and waste audit of their own environmental practises, they started implementing sustainable technologies to reduce their energy use and carbon footprint, including geyser blankets, solar phone chargers, hot boxes and heat retention cookers, and fuel a efficient stove.

Bush Pigs recycling station

Bush Pigs compost heap

Bush Pigs greenhouse

Bush Pigs geyser blankets

Congratulations to both finalists and many thanks from the Supernova team for your massive efforts to teach our children to reduce their energy use. Supernova magazine backs you up all the way and we wish you all the best with your future energy saving endeavours.

Competition: win a copy of Supernova!

What are you doing to save energy? If you are 18 and under, let us know by leaving a comment below this post, or by emailing andrea@bkpublishing.co.za. You can win a copy of Supernova magazine!

Supernova team impressed with Young Designers at Eskom eta Awards

Publisher/Director Benoit Knox and Supernova Editor Andrea Vermaak were privileged to attend the Eskom eta Awards ceremony on 15 November. Among the winners of the prestigious annual awards were young designers who showed off their innovative ideas and initiative to save energy.

Daniel von Eschwege

All entrants in the Young Designers' 
category were very impressive, giving the Supernova team a new hope in the future of South Africa. The winner in the Young Designers – Individual category is Daniel von Eschwege (12), who designed a cost-effective solar water geyser system that can reduce a household energy bill by 40%. He hopes to produce these DIY packs and help poorer communities access hot water at an affordable price.

Daniel von Eschwege's solar water geyser

The runners-up in the above mentioned category are Daniella Oosthuizen and Keegan Cordeiro. Daniella designed a compost hot water system, while Keegan designed solar powered golf carts.

Girls Looking Forward

The Young Designers – Group category award went to the team of grade 8 girls, called 'Girls Looking Forward', from Bay College in Plettenberg Bay. The girls looked at how to reduce electricity consumption during cooking. By comparing cooking using a microwave, a stove-top and a clay oven, they found that using a clay oven is the most energy efficient method.

Girls Looking Forward

The runners-up are the Pretoria Boys High School team and the Cornwall College team. Ray Kruger, from Pretoria Boys High School, invented a way to generate electricity on a small scale directly from waste biomass through the process of gasification. Gregory van Wijk and Tyron Munn from Cornwall Hill College built a household electricity management system, the Angel Management System, designed to optimise use of the available electricity.

Ray Kruger

Ray Kruger's electricity generator

Gregory van Wijk and Tyron Munn 

The Angel Management System

We simply can't leave out the young designers of Bracken Hill EK Primary School from Knysna, who also blew us away with their initiative. To reduce their community's wood consumption, they developed a solar water heater for their school, using black pipe, as well as created a hotbox to cook and a clay oven that functions with just a handful of twigs and coal. The team also learnt how to make coals out of recycled paper.

Bracken Hill EK Primary School's solar water heater

Bracken Hill EK Primary School's clay oven

The Eskom eta Awards have been acknowledging and rewarding good work in energy efficiency since 1985, with winners receiving R30 000 each and the runners-up taking home R5000.

Dr Steve Lennon, Eskom Group Executive of Sustainability says: “South Africa is bursting with talent and nowhere is this more evident than at the annual Eskom eta Awards. More South Africans are looking for ways to save energy. Learners want to make a difference, householders are cutting costs, and engineers and large companies are working hard to reduce their use of electricity and save vital resources.” 

We can't agree more with Dr Lennon and want to congratulate all those who took part in saving energy this year!

Competition: win a copy of Supernova!

What are you doing to save energy? If you are 18 and under, let us know by leaving a comment below this post, or by emailing andrea@bkpublishing.co.za. You can win a copy of Supernova magazine!

Eskom Expo for Young Scientists - more photos

As promised, here are a few more photos of the amazing kids who took part in the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists...

Project: Albedo and groentetuintjies

Learners: Anneke Schoeman (Grd 12) and Renate Schoeman (Grd 10)

School: Overkruin Hoërskool

Project: Renoster

Learner: Willem Steinburg (Grd 11)

School: Hoërskool Nelspruit









Project: Pocket Charger

Learner: Tamian Gobind (Grd 9)

School: Zinniaville Secondary School


                                                                                                                                                                                       

Project: Sand and Sun

Learner: Piet Kotze

School: Eunice High School











Project: Fuel cycle of the future

Learners: Candra Naidoo (Grd 9) and
Yokesh Kanaya (Grd 9)

School: Hoërskool Generaal Hertzog

Project: Help Recycle

Learner: Karla Muller (Grd 7)

School: Lorraine Primary School



                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                         

Project: Culture

Learner: Cynthia Marota (Grd 7)

School: Sele Secondary School

























Project: Soos Musiek in my Ore

Learner: Jantjie Harmse (Grd 6)

School: Kruinpark Laerskool

 Congratulations to all the learners who took part! 

We at Supernova are super impressed!

*Photos by Jennilee Delport.

Fireworks and Guy Fawkes

By Carina Vermooten

“Remember, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot. We see no reason why gunpowder treason should be forgot.”

Since it is a national British holiday that everyone celebrates (or just use as an excuse to ooh and aah at beautiful fireworks), here is a short history behind the holiday and an explanation on how fireworks work.

On the fourth of November 1605, Guy Fawkes, who was a member of a group of provincial English Catholics, was caught in the basement of the British Parliament, trying to blow it up with gunpowder. Although the main goal of his group’s grand plan was to blow up Parliament, they also wanted to kill King James I simply because before he came into power, he promised to stop executing innocent Catholics like his predecessor Queen Elizabeth. Ever since then the British celebrated his failure on the fifth of November.

Fireworks 101

The Chinese invented fireworks as part of a ritual to ensure that evil spirits are kept away. As you watch a breath-taking fireworks display, three things are happening that you are not necessarily aware of: the fireworks have actually been designed so that they won’t explode, you’re witnessing how nature conserves energy, and while the fireworks are at their brightest, they are actually starting to cool down.

Fireworks are made out of two basic ingredients: black powder, which is a fuel source, and an oxidiser. The fuel source provides heat and the oxidiser speeds up the reaction. The slower the reaction between the two, the more beautiful the display.

The blend of ingredients has to be just right. The chemists use small, medium and large microns. To slow down burning, chemists use chemicals (microns) that are bigger in size and don’t mix them very well with the smaller microns because it makes the fireworks last longer and makes them brighter. What gives the colours to a fireworks display are the different metals used in the mix. Strontium creates red sparks, copper makes blue sparks, barium makes green sparks and sodium makes yellow sparks. You can also mix the chemicals and different colours will be given. Shapes in fireworks are made depending on how the creator arranged the chemical pellets in the containers.

Please be safe and careful tonight if you are planning on lighting some firecrackers and be considerate of neighbours and pets.

Happy Guy Fawkes Day!