The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) Space Science Open Day brought together members of the public, scientists, researchers, and educators in Hermanus for a day of discovery, exploration and engagement with science.
The South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI) and its host, NRF-SAEON Egagasini Node, were invited as one of the exhibiters to showcase how South African research extends to the ocean, remote islands, Antarctica and even into the realm of space.
The SANSA Space Science Open Day is a significant event in South Africa’s space science community, offering the public an opportunity to engage with researchers, scientists, and engineers.
Representing the SAPRI and NRF-SAEON Egagasini Node team were Dr Tammy Morris, Thomas Mtontsi, Anche Louw, Zanele Mncube, Aneliswa Maphumulo and Kelly Mogotsi. Thed team was joined by Haley, Tammy’s 10-year-old daughter, whose enthusiasm for marine and polar science added a special dimension to the engagement.
The SAPRI and NRF-SAEON Egagasini Node team at the SANSA Space science Open Day in Hermanus
The power of collaboration in telling the science story
Through NRF-SAEON, visitors were introduced to long-term environmental observations and research in the marine sphere, while SAPRI showcased South Africa’s national polar research infrastructure and its role in enabling research across the Southern Ocean, Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands.
The Sustainable Ocean Modelling Initiative: A South African Approach (SOMISANA) added another important dimension, highlighting the role of ocean modelling in understanding the complex systems that connect the atmosphere, ocean and wider Earth system.
Together, the exhibits demonstrated that understanding our planet requires scientists to look at it from different perspectives using observations, models, technology and long-term datasets to build a more complete picture.
The NRF-SAEON Egagasini Node and its SAPRI and SOMISANA teams offering a collaborated public engagement with science
Bringing science to life
The interactive exhibition brought marine and polar research to life through immersive virtual reality experiences, polar fieldwork gear, an Argo float, a microscope and a southern elephant seal tracking tag.
These hands-on displays helped visitors of all ages explore remote research environments, understand ocean observation technologies, discover marine ecosystems and learn how wildlife tracking supports research and conservation.
Interactive engagement at the SANSA space Science Open Day in Hermanus
Making science accessible
For the team, the SANSA Open Day was ultimately about more than displaying research. It was about creating opportunities for people to ask questions, interact with scientists and see the relevance of research beyond the laboratory.
The event attracted visitors of different ages and backgrounds, with children particularly drawn to the hands-on elements of the exhibition. Haley, Tammy’s 10-year-old daughter, enthusiastically shared her interest in marine and polar science with visitors, demonstrating how early engagement can help inspire the next generation of scientists and science communicators.
SAPRI’s Engagement Officer Kelly Mogotsi also participated in an interview with the event host, using the opportunity to speak about the work of SAPRI and NRF-SAEON and the importance of research infrastructure in supporting South African marine and polar research.
Making science accessible at the SANSA Space Science Open Day in Hermanus
The SANSA Space Science Open Day at a glance
The wider SANSA Open Day programme included interactive exhibits, science demonstrations, public lectures, facility tours and activities designed to make science accessible to the public.
From space weather to ocean modelling, from marine ecosystems to the Southern Ocean, to Marion and Gough Islands, and Antarctica, the SANSA Open Day demonstrated one thing beautifully: science can take us to extraordinary places and with the right stories, tools and a little curiosity, we can bring those places closer to everyone.
The team engaging with visitors of all ages at the SANSA Space Science Open Day
What this meant to us
For SAPRI and NRF-SAEON, being part of the event reinforced the value of taking science beyond traditional research spaces. Whether through a virtual journey to a remote island, an ocean-monitoring instrument or a conversation with a young science enthusiast, the exhibition showed that science becomes more meaningful when people can see themselves in the story.
Written by Kelebogile Morwa Mandi Mogotsi (Kelly) (SAPRI)
Rabia Mathakutha, South African Polar Research Infrastructure, 12 October 2026
