"Scientifically perfect" - SAEON Elwandle Node’s Science Camp

Members of The Hawks identify typical grassland species. Recording the research findings can be a thought-provoking task. All the bits of information are combined into a single presentation.

SAEON’s Elwandle Node recently held a Science Camp for Grade 10 learners at the Assegaai Trails, a nature reserve about 30 kilometres outside of Grahamstown.

The three-day camp was attended by 15 learners from Nombulelo Secondary School, Ntsika Secondary School, TEM Mrwetyana and Mary Water High School.

On the first day Noziphiwo Hambaze, SAEON Elwandle Node’s Education Officer taught the learners more about different scientific methods they would require for their experiments. Nonceba Mhlauli, Communication Intern at SAIAB gave a presentation on how to use Microsoft PowerPoint for presentations.

The learners were divided into three groups of five each - named Generation Science, The Hawks and Eco Warriors - and were tasked to go on a trail to identify different plant species. The three groups later gave presentations on their research findings based on the scientific method they applied while doing their research.

Research and observation

The first group, Generation Science, looked at why specific species of plants grow in certain areas and why they were not able to find much grass in the valley thicket. They found that the reason for this was that the grass did not get enough sunlight in order for it to photosynthesise, hence it could not grow properly.

The Hawks focused on the species most frequently found in grassland and the number of plants occurring in the invasive plant area. They found that plumbago were the plants that occurred most frequently and that the black wattle, an invasive plant, was mostly found close to the river sucking up vast quantities of water.

The Eco Warriors looked at the relationship between the soil temperature and environmental condition and vegetation on various sites. As they conducted their experiment, they found that soil temperature and environmental condition were what determined which plant species were found on each site. For example, if a site has a high temperature and is exposed to the sun, the soil will not be as moist and fertile as the sites which are not exposed to the sun, meaning that only plants that can survive in dry and hot sites can grow there.

Announcing the winners

The three groups were all exposed to data collection, a bioblitz survey, species quadrat and guild study during their experiments. Their presentations were evaluated by judges Sibongile Mokoena, the National Education Coordinator at SAEON and Nonceba Mhlauli. The Eco Warriors were announced the winners, followed by team Generation Science in second place and the Hawks in third place. Prizes included mathematics sets, SAEON bags, bennies and scarfs.

In the feedback session at the conclusion of the camp, the learners said they found the camp "very educational" as well as "great fun". Anda Mosuli Tanga said, "First I thought the camp would be great but as time went by, it turned out to be fantabulous. I had a wonderful time. The laughs were superb."

Azola Mantla said learning about invasive plants was most interesting and Siphokazi Zabo thought the camp was "scientifically perfect".