National Science Week: Science & Technology = Welfare & Prosperity

Eager learners gather around the new Augusta helicopter as Captain Paul Bester from the South African Air Force Base at Hoedspruit (SAAF 19 Squadron) speaks about the role of the South African Air Force (Picture © Joe Sibiya) Sibongile Mokoena, SAEON’s Education Outreach Coordinator, speaks to learners about careers in the environmental sciences. (Picture © Joe Sibiya) Heinrich Van Heerden from Working for Water tells learners about the threat posed by invasive alien plants. (Picture © Joe Sibiya) Learners help carry a sedated lion at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre. (Picture © Flora Mojela, A-Team Educator)

- By Tony Swemmer, Manager: SAEON Ndlovu Node

For the third year running SAEON hosted a National Science Week (NSW) project in the Ba-Phalaborwa municipal region in partnership with the Palabora Foundation. National Science Week, which is funded by the Department of Science and Technology, is aimed at increasing awareness of the important role that science plays in our lives, and encouraging learners to follow careers in science and technology.

NSW kicked off with a 9-km Fun Run in Lulekani Township on 12 May, which attracted 85 runners of all ages.

Science and technology for a better life

From the Monday to the Friday some 2 750 learners from all the primary and secondary schools in the Ba-Phalaborwa municipal region were transported to the Lulekani Town Hall to listen to presentations by various professionals in the science and technology fields and interact with the exhibits on show.

Presentations were given by Dr Rob Toms, an entomologist from the Transvaal Museum, PUB (Agency for Public Understanding of Biotechnology), Sibongile Mokoena from the SAEON National Office, Eskom, Working for Water, the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, staff from Scientific Services in the Kruger National Park, Andrea Webster and Dr Michele Henley from Save the Elephant Foundation, and Jen Newenham, an environmental consultant from Biovista. Presenters also conducted workshops for teachers at the Rixile Education Centre.

From indigenous board games to hi-tech helicopters

Learners were given a break from all the high-tech science by Rebecca Mnisi, an educator at Nyoko Primary School, who demonstrated indigenous board games. For many learners the highlight of the week was the arrival of a new Augusta helicopter from the South African Air Force Base at Hoedspruit.

Selected groups of secondary school learners were taken on excursions to Foskor Mine and the Sasol Nitro plant. Another group learnt the traditional art of pottery from Bekisa Zitha, a local potter in Namakgale. Others enjoyed field trips into the Kruger National Park, where some learners were taken on walks by field rangers and others visited the Masorini Archaeological Site and Letaba Elephant Museum Hall. One lucky group was taken to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre where they participated in the transport of two captive lions.

The NSW project ended with a closing ceremony in the town hall during which the presenters and 20 local teachers who assisted with the programme were thanked for their valuable contribution to this important educational event. The ceremony was attended by MP Richard Baloyi and opened by Ba-Phalaborwa Councillor BC Dlamini, who spoke about the dire need for science education and scientists in our country. Everyone agreed that this year’s project was a resounding success.

The SAEON Ndlovu Node looks forward to hosting another NSW in 2008.

Related content

SAEON Ndlovu Node forges ahead in acquiring long-term data