Celebrating National Science Week, the VUT way!
11 October 2024 | STORY .Thabisang Thebeeapelo. PHOTO Naledi Nkosi.
From 7 – 10 October 2024, the Vaal University of Technology (VUT)’s Department of Biotechnology and Chemistry welcomed hundreds of learners from local high schools for an exciting and inspirational VUT Science Week.
Participating schools included Iketsetseng Secondary, Thuto-Lore Secondary, Curro Vanderbijlpark, Curro Academy Savanna, and Tsholo Secondary.
The event formed part of the annual National Science Week (NSW), an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA). The event aims to close the gap between society and science, since science has an impact on every aspect of people’s lives. Additionally, the goal is to build a South African society that has the necessary knowledge about science, is aware of scientific and technological developments, and can form its own opinions about science matters.
This year’s theme, “Living in a High-Tech World: Should We Be Concerned?”, sparked important discussions about the implications of technology in our daily lives.
Mr. Andrew Brown of the IT Department and Ms. Carol Motale of the Health Sciences Department provided observations during the week’s presentations. Their speeches addressed both the benefits and potential threats of sophisticated technology, encouraging students to think critically about the role of technology in health, communication, and society as a whole.
For the VUT Science Week, the event is also designed to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and research. The event featured interactive sessions, workshops, demonstrations, and science shows designed to increase scientific literacy and pique the attention of students and the community. The event also provided a platform for students to engage with experts, explore cutting-edge technologies, and discover the possibilities available at VUT.
The event also featured a variety of exhibitors, both external and internal. External exhibitors included Rand Water, South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions. (SACNAPS), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), ArcelorMittal, and Eco-Labs, showcasing innovations and solutions relevant to the community. Internal exhibitors from various departments, such as Chemistry, Biotechnology, Health Sciences, NDT, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Schneider Electric, and 3D Printing, provided hands-on experiences and demonstrations that illustrated the practical applications of STEM fields.
On the third day of Science Week, Professor Christa Gobler, the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Applied and Computer Science gave an inspiring presentation, encouraging learners to explore offerings within the faculty Professor Gobler shared her journey, growing up in Vanderbijlpark and overcoming financial constraints to achieve academic success. She emphasized that financial limitations should not discourage students from pursuing higher education. She also offered words of encouragement: “I wish you all the best for your exams. Your hard work and dedication will pay off”