Science Clubs Launch around Grahamstown Schools
“Put your hands in your pockets, take out your keys and build
your future towards science,” says Sivuyile Manxoyi of the South African
Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in Cape Town. Manxoyi is the champion
of a movement to establish active school science clubs countrywide, to
entice and nurture budding young scientists.
The South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), in
collaboration with the Grahamstown District Office of the Eastern Cape
Department of Education (DoE), recently invited SAAO’s Sivuyile Manxoyi
and his colleague, Cedric Jacobs, to run a science club workshop for
learners from local schools in the Makana region.
Manxoyi and Jacobs addressed some 40 learners in Grade 11 at Graeme
College, offering encouragement and tips for starting a science club at
their school. They also shared their words of inspiration with grade 10
to 12 learners from five different schools, at two afternoon workshops
at the District Offices of the DoE in Grahamstown.
Their goal is simple: to equip learners with the skills needed to start
science clubs at their schools, which will provide opportunities for
learners to explore science in interactive, fun, informative and
challenging ways.
This initiative is the final activity of the SAIAB’s Bright Sparks
Development Programme, developed in 2005 to identify learners who show
talent and enthusiasm for science. It aims to expose learners to careers
in science and technology, encourage them to continue with science
subjects at school and tertiary level and develop their skills,
knowledge, values and attitudes. In 2010 science kits were donated to
the five schools represented at this year’s workshop as part of National
Science Week. The workshop was a follow-up to ensure that the learners
make maximum use of the kits, and that the whole school derives optimum
benefit.
The workshops yielded some interesting feedback, confirming that many
learners do not take up science careers because “it’s too difficult … we
are not exposed to science”. Manxoyi encouraged them to change their
attitude, saying that “when you start believing that you can master
science, you will”.
He emphasised that science clubs create a platform for the schools to
work together as well as with other institutions such as Rhodes
University and SAIAB, where the learners can find resources,
information, inspiration and role models.
To show just how easy - and how much fun - a science club can be,
workshop participants were taught the basics of starting a club, where
to locate it, how to set objectives and draw up a constitution, and how
to publicise their club through social networking mediums such as
facebook and blogs.
They also solved a few science game challenges, such as how to measure
out four litres of water using a full five-litre bottle and an empty
three-litre bottle. Other games included cutting a cake only three times
to form eight pieces, and combining different coloured balloons to form
atoms.
“Our club is interested in working closely with Rhodes University and
establishing a partnership with the Dean of Sciences,” said Sanele
Ntshingana, president of the science club at Nathaniel Nyaluza High
School. “We will have a monthly newsletter communicating all our
activities.”
Other feedback came from Hendrik Kanise learners in Alicedale, who said
that they would work closely with their teachers to develop “a dynamic
club that will create curiosity about science in other learners”.
[permalink]
Posted: February 4th 2013 07:17
