SAEON runs role-modeling workshop to attract learners into science

These rapid developments are changing the way we live, and the way we work. They are also changing and intensifying the issues we face. As a nation, we must be in a position to make informed decisions, and it is likely that young people of today who do not understand science and technology will not be able to make informed decisions about important issues, or about their future.

Technological advancement has brought the need for qualified engineers, technicians, medical doctors, pharmacists, scientists, radiological technicians and other related professionals in order to cope with and address the needs of our nation.

Several studies have revealed that South Africa is facing huge skills shortages. The studies have also revealed that there are very few female professionals in the field of science, engineering and technology, and hence a lack of appropriate female role models that the learners can emulate.

Exposing learners to career opportunities in science

The remedy for this potentially disastrous state of affairs depends on a number of interventions such as increasing the number of matriculants, particularly the number of blacks and young women in mathematics and science; being able to attract learners into degree courses in the science and engineering disciplines; exposing learners (especially from lower grades, preferably grades 9 and 10) to career opportunities in science, engineering and technology; and exposing learners to appropriate female role models in science, engineering and technology.

In order to start addressing the problem, the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) ran a role-modeling campaign for learners throughout the country to coincide with National Women’s Month. SAASTA’s workshop in the Northern Cape was organised by Sibongile Mokoena, SAEON's Education Outreach Coordinator, in collaboration with South African National Parks (SANParks), the Northern Cape Education Department and Kimberley’s McGregor Museum.

Altogether 206 grade 9–11 learners (65 male and 141 female) from 10 schools in the region attended the role-modeling workshops, which were held at William Pescod High School in Kimberley.

The presenters were social ecologist Dr Kelly Scheepers and environmental scientist Marna Herbst of SANParks, who were joined by archaeologist Mamoluoane Seliane, botanist Tanja Anderson and education manager Suzanne Erasmus of Kimberley’s Mc Gregor Museum.

Dr Kelly Scheepers’s presentation focused on harvesting strategies of fuelwood and kraalwood, and examined the trade-offs between resource availability and resource use.

A large part of Marna Herbst’s presentation was aimed at sharing with learners her experiences during her PhD whilst studying the African wild cat in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

“All the scientists emphasized the importance of hard work and motivation as a recipe for success in life,” says Sibongile. “They highlighted the challenges of their careers but stressed the joy and fulfillment brought by the knowledge that they are making a valuable contribution to science.”

The scientists also addressed the issue of remuneration, a question learners normally ask. They pointed out that whereas it was important to make money and enjoy a desirable standard of living, science and research don’t produce many millionaires. They cautioned learners to make career choices that would keep them happy and motivated.

“The workshops presented a rare but important opportunity for Grade 9, 10 & 11 learners to listen, interact and be motivated by women scientists,” says Sibongile. “Secondly, they provided a platform for Northern Cape organisations to showcase their programmes and their women scientists to young people.”

SAEON to roll out education outreach programme in the Northern Cape

The event also presented an ideal opportunity for SAEON to forge partnerships for the roll-out of its education outreach programme in the Northern Cape, where the fifth SAEON research and observation platform – for arid areas – has just been established.

“As SAEON still needs to appoint an education officer in the Northern Cape, we depended on partners to coordinate the event, says Sibongile, who would like to thank SANParks and the Mc Gregor Museum for the active role they played in ensuring the success of the workshops, as well as Pau Mokwena of the Northern Cape Department of Education who played an important role in coordinating the logistics so successfully.