We are celebrating Biotechnology this month at the Cape Town Science Centre. You may be wondering what is Biotechnology and how does it help me with my everyday life.

At its simplest, biotechnology is technology based on biology – biotechnology harnesses cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and products that help improve our lives and the health of our planet. We have used the biological processes of microorganisms for more than 6,000 years to make useful food products, such as bread and cheese, and to preserve dairy products.

Modern biotechnology provides breakthrough products and technologies to combat debilitating and rare diseases, reduce our environmental footprint, feed the hungry, use less and cleaner energy, and have safer, cleaner and more efficient industrial manufacturing processes.

WEEKEND REGULARS:

Camera Obscura Tours
Daily @ 12:00 & 14:00 (weather dependant)
Have you ever taken a tour of the city while standing on one spot? Join us on one of our Camera Obscura tours for a 360° view of the surrounding area. Listen out for announcements to join the tour.

Science Show
Daily @ 13:00
Some call it magic, we call it science. Our daily Science Shows will excite while nurturing awareness that science is a part of our daily lives.

WORKSHOPS:

Saturday, 3 June 

11:00 Microscopic views (All ages + ● entry fee only)
Look at various prepared slides of microscopic structures and even onion cells. So join us and take a peek at the little things.

15:00 The Cell games (Age 8+ ● entry fee only)
Discover the difference between animal and plant cells and test your knowledge with a fun hands-on activity.

Sunday, 4 June 

11:00 DNA extraction (Age 8+ ● entry fee only)
DNA is found in all living things, yet we are all unique. Come and see what makes us different to wheat germ by extracting its DNA in front of your very eyes!

15:00 Cluedo (Age 6+ ● entry fee only)
Do you like mystery and intrigue? Come along and try to eliminate suspects to find the culprit in this exciting board game.

Saturday, 10 June 

11:00 Seed germination (All ages + ● entry fee + R5)
Come and discover what plants need to grow and plant your own little seed using a kidney bean which you get to take home and observe.

15:00 Food Tech Ice cream (Age 6+ ● entry fee + R5)
Discover how to make ice cream in under 30 minutes without the use of a freezer. Join us and make ice cream in the lab.

Sunday, 11 June 

11:00 Gene Cloning (Age 8+ ● entry fee only)
Have you ever wonder what it would be like if there was someone who the same characteristics AND looked exactly like you. Not a twin, but a clone of yourself. Come and try to replicate a given message and see how close to the original your drawing is.

15:00 Fermentation (Age 8+ ● entry fee + R5)
Discover the science behind fermentation and feel the sensation of fermentation!

Friday, 16 June 

11:00 Food tests (Age 8+ ● entry fee only)
Discover the different food groups and experiment with testing foods that contain Protein, Fats, Starch and Glucose.

15:00 GM crops (Age 6+ ● entry fee only)
Come and discover the importance of genetically modifying foods and how it affects our lives today.

Saturday, 17 June 

11:00 Spreading Flu (Age 8+ ● entry fee only)
It’s the season of flu! Come and discover how easy it is spread and become aware of how to prevent it.

15:00 Fermentation (Age 8+ ● entry fee + R5)
Discover the science behind fermentation and feel the sensation of fermentation!

Sunday, 18 June 

11:00 Biomimicry (Age 8+ ● entry fee only)
Ever wondered how people perfected the bullet train concept, or how we got inventions such a Velcro?

15:00 Microscopic views (All ages ● entry fee only)
Look at various prepared slides of microscopic structures and even onion cells. Join us as we take a peek at the little things.

Saturday, 24 June 

11:00 DNA extraction (Age 8+ ● entry fee only)
DNA is found in all living things, yet we are all unique. Come and see what makes us different to wheat germ by extracting its DNA in front of your very eyes!

15:00 Food Tech Ice cream (Age 6+ ● entry fee + R5)
Discover how to make ice cream in under 30 minutes without the use of a freezer. Join us and make ice cream in the lab.

Sunday, 25 June 

11:00 Mitosis (Age 8+ ● entry fee only)
Discover how our cells multiply to become the many cells that make up our body and make our own mitosis phase diagram.

15:00 Food tests (Age 8+ ● entry fee only)
Discover the different food groups and experiment with testing foods that contain Protein, Fats, Starch and Glucose.