Soon at the Tunis Science City
Saharian Dinosaurs made in Tunis Science City
The Tunis Science City will soon organize a new exhibition entitled the Saharian Dinosaurs. Entirely designed by Tunisian experts, the latter will embark visitors on a trip during the Mesozoic era, back to 160 million years, to discover the different species of dinosaurs having lived in the African Sahara. It is worth outlining that in Africa it was only in 1905 that the first dinosaurs' fossils were discovered in the Sahara region. Since, the African Sahara has progressively become a highly important place for dinosaurs' excavation. As far as Tunisia is concerned, it is in Tataouine, located in the East-South, that a dinosaur fossil deposit was discovered for the first time in 1951, having enabled paleontologists to identify new types of dinosaurs such as Carcaradontosaurus, Spinosaurus, Iguanodon, etc. by conceiving and producing locally, using Tunisian know-how and competence, an exhibition entirely and squarely dedicated to Saharian dinosaurs, the Tunis Science City will enable its public to learn more about this type of dinosaurs' anatomy, their wildlife, their food, and the way they reproduce, etc.
Coming Soon « Ilusion » a New Hands-on Exhibition at the Tunis Science City, from October 31st to May 30th
The temporary exhibition pavilion of the Tunis Science City will host a new exhibition entitled “Illusion”.This exhibition is dedicated to the large public and it includes 33 hands-on exhibits based on multimedia techniques and lighting.
The Tunis Science City Celebrates the World Space Week, 4-10 October 2009
As usual, the Tunis Science City will contribute to the celebration of this event through a set of activities meant for all the age categories. The program of this year encompasses two exhibitions: “The Space How it Works” and “A Trip via The Electromagnetic Waves”. It includes also a set of scientific workshops such as “Satellites”, “The Space and The Earth”, “The Meteorological Satellites “, “The Geological Dangers and The Space”. In addition, there will be showing of documentary films.
The Tunis Science City Contributes to the Celebration of Kairouan as Capital of Islamic Culture
The Tunis Science City has largely contributed to this event through a rich and varied activity.Program involving a hands-on exhibit entitled “On The Road to Kairouan”, a photo gallery and architecture models related to the monuments of Kairouan, “As Time Goes By” outlining the main steps in the history of sciences of Kairouan during the Aghlabide and the Sanhagite era.
The Tunis Science City and IYA 2009 Within the framework of the celebration of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, the Tunis Science City has elaborated a rich program aiming at making the large public discover the beauty of the sky, and to disseminate the scientific culture among all age categories.
The program of the city includes a series of astronomy evenings whether at the Tunis Science City or in different regions of Tunisia. The program of the city encompasses also scientific exposés, Sun observation days, training sessions on astronomy in the context of 100 hours of astronomy and 50 hours of astronomy.
Conferences at the Tunis Science City
During this year the Tunis Science City has organized a series of conferences dealing with different themes such as “Creation of the Universe and its Development “, “From Galileo Galilei to Edwin Hubble “, “She is an Astronomer”, “ The Architectural Features of Kairouan", "The Mosque of Kairouan as a Model”, “The Role of Kairouan in the Edification of Maghreb”, “The National Gene Bank", "For a Sustainable Development of our National Genetic Patrimony”, “The Water Srategy of Kairouan During the Aghlabide Era", and “Contribution of Astronomy to the Development of Education”.
The Astro-bus and the Mobile-planetarium
The goal of the Tunis Science City is to disseminate science everywhere and to be active in regions even the remotest ones and to make science accessible to everyone. For this reason the Astro-bus of the Tunis Science City has visited many regions in Tunisia: Nabeul, Sousse, Mehdia…taking traveling exhibitions, mobile planetariums, and laboratories.In addition, the Astro-bus participated in the cultural and scientific caravan organized by the Constitutional Democratic Rally.
The International Cooperation
The 27th meeting of the IAU
During its general meeting taking place in Brasil in August 3rd - 9th, 2009 the IAU stressed the importance of the Tunisian experience in the field of disseminating the scientific culture through the Astro-bus. In fact, all the participants in this meeting considered the Astro-bus an innovative activity that shall be spread. It is worth noting that during 2008, the IAU considered the UNAWE Tunisia program as a pilot project.
The Tunis Science City becomes the President of the Mediterranean Association for Science Advancement and Dissemination (MASAD)
The Tunis Science City has been elected as a president of MASAD until 2011.It is important to mention that the Tunis Science City was the vice-president of this association in 2007, 2008, and 2009 .Within the framework of the MASAD goals to diffuse scientific culture, the Tunis Science City translated many books from Italian, Spanish, and English into Arabic. Furthermore, the Tunis Science City took part in several scientific and cultural events whether at the national or international one. It is worth noting also that the Tunis Science City is one of the founding members of the MASAD.
Issues
Kairouan: Story of a Town
Within the framework of its contribution to the celebration of Kairouan Capital of Islamic Culture 2009, the Tunis Science City has elaborated a show at the planetarium entitled “Kairouan story of a town”. This show is a kind of strip cartoon about the old man Mansour who tells his young children the story of the foundation of Kairouan. Furthermore, this show sheds light on the religious role of Kairouan in the Maghreb area and around the Mediterranean Sea. Through this story which is displayed on a 360° screen, the old man Mansour tells us about the scientific radiance of Kairouan on the neighbouring countries.
Nutrition of Man
"Nutrition of Man" is the title of the new booklet elaborated by the exploration pavilion within the framework of the new traveling interactive exhibition about food behavior change for children and teenagers. This booklet is divided into different themes: definition of obesity, the healthy food, elements of food and its components, how do we measure obesity? This booklet aims also to show children and youngsters the best way to avoid obesity.
The Magnificent Trip to Kairouan
This trip starts from the Media library of the Tunis Science City where the two robots Dorra and Dhafer meet the children and tell them the story of the magnificent trip to the past. This trip is about the journey of Alla Eddine and the giant through the main steps in the history of Kairouan .During this trip the two protagonists meet the famous scientists of Kairouan and visit the most important monuments of the town. Furthermore, they get insight into the historical role of Kairouan and its contribution to the dissemination of sciences in Ifriqiya and around the Mediterranean Sea.
An Open Window on Kairouan
This educational game entitled “An Open Wndow on Kairouan“ aims to let children have an idea about the history of this deeply rooted town, its civilization, and scientists. This educational game includes 23 multiple choice questions; each question involves 3 possible answers, but only one is right. It is worth noting that there is a short explanation for each question.
On the road to Kairouan
This CD-rom shows the importance of this town through its monuments and famous scientists, the different steps of its development; as well as, its influence on the Maghreb , the Machreq, and the western part of Europe.
Stories of Planets
Within the framework of its cooperation with the Mediterranean Association for Science Advancement and Dissemination (MASAD), the Tunis Science City published a booklet translated from Italian into Arabic, entitled “what if there is an earthquake “by two Italian writers (Nicoletta Costa and Maria Loretta Giraldi).Through this colorful book, the cat “Spilio” gives his friends Marc and Any and all the children some useful rules showing them how to behave at the time of earthquakes, wherever they are at home, at the garden, at school, or on the road.
What if there is an earthquake?
Within the framework of its cooperation with the Mediterranean Association for Science Advancement and Dissemination (MASAD), the Tunis Science City published a booklet translated from Italian into Arabic, entitled “what if there is an earthquake “by two Italian writers (Nicoletta Costa and Maria Loretta Giraldi).Through this colorful book, the cat “Spilio” gives his friends Marc and Any and all the children some useful rules showing them how to behave at the time of earthquakes, wherever they are at home, at the garden, at school, or on the road.
Earthquake Lessons
Within the framework of the National Translation Year 2008 and according to the cultural Agenda of MASAD (Mediterranean Association for Science Advancement and Dissemination), the Tunis Science City published a booklet translated from Italian into Arabic entitled “Earthquake lessons” written by Roberto Luciani. The author explains in this booklet meant for children the causes of earthquakes and its effects, the seismic zones, the instruments used to measure Earthquakes. In addition, the booklet encompasses fundamental instructions for safety and how to behave at the time of earthquakes.
The issue 17th of the Tunis Science City newsletter.
The Tunis Science City published the 17th issue of its newsletter in three versions: Arabic, French, and English. As usual, this new issue encompasses different themes relating to the scientific activities of the city. The Editorial includes the contribution of the Tunis Science City to the celebration of two main events: the International Year of Astronomy 2009 and Kairouan Capital of Islamic Culture 2009. In this new issue, the feedback of the participation of the Tunis Science City in the 27th session of Tunis International Book Fair is mentioned. It includes also the participation of the Tunis Science City in the ECSITE annual conference, the visit of a group of science fiction writers to the Tunis Science City, a new article about the contribution of Greece and Rome to the development of Astronomy, the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth, and an article about swine flu.
2008 Report
2008 Report is the title of the new issue of the Tunis Science City, it is a kind of summary about the main activities of the city during 2008. This report includes the organization of the Frst Mediterranean Conference on Space by the Tunis Science City from 17th to 19th November, the two hands-on exhibitions “Monster Creepy Crawlers”, and “Mars destination”. In addition, the report sheds light on the astronomy activities of the Tunis Science City during 2008 such as the astronomy evenings, sun observation days whether meant for the large public or for children, its special programs during holidays, training sessions, and Friday conferences. In this report the cinematographic days of the city, the Tunis Science City publications, and its 2009 program are mentioned.