Learners exposed to state-of-the-art science experience
Learners exposed to state-of-the-art science experience
Dr Tozama Qwebani-Ogunleye: Project Manager at Dihlare Remedies
Selina Rapulane
The Vaal University of Technology Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park hosted a National Science Week event from 31 August to 2 August under the theme: Deepening our democracy through science, technology and innovation.
National Science Week (NSW), is an annual event aimed at exhibiting and creating communication through science and technology celebrations. It is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and is a countrywide celebration of science which involved various stakeholders and/or role players conducting science-based activities during the week. This year’s NSW was celebrating Mama Albertina Sisulu, a woman of fortitude.
VUTSGSTP took it upon itself to go all out for its local community and bring the science week closer to their homes. The aim was to create awareness of science and technology through a fun, exciting and hands-on learning environment and to give previously disadvantaged learners access to a state-of-the- art science and technology experience.
During the first day, Prof Gordon Zide: Vice-Chancellor and Principal at VUT, officially launched the event and welcomed the learners and their teachers, as well as the guests of honour. He opened with an inspirational quote from Tata Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it is done”.
Prof Zide inspired the learners with more than just a focus on science and technology. He shared words of encouragement that he hoped would stick with them for life: “In you, the community is proud. Take cognisance of the four Ps, which are power, privilege, prosperity and pomposity. Also, realise the three isms that are cancerous, which are tribalism, ethnicism and racism. When you leave this place, you must remember that you are a leader,” he said.
Prof Joe Modise: Director at The Institute of Chemical and Bio-Technology (ICBT) was the programme Director. The pupils and their teachers were given lectures on the role of nanotechnology in improving the lives of South Africans, presented by Dr Steven Mufamadi: Managing Director at NABIO Consulting, and on science and community engagement, presented by Ms Modiehi Morakile: Project Manager from Community Engagement Scholarship.
Mr Heinrich van der Merwe: Operations Manager at VUTSGSTP delivered the closing remarks.
The second day of the event was opened by Dr Joseph Molete: Executive Director at VUTSGSTP. Lectures of the day included The Indigenous Knowledge Systems presented by Mr Motheo Koitsiwe: Senior lecturer and researcher from North-West University and Women in Science presented by Dr Tozama Qwebani-Ogunleye: Project Manager at Dihlare Remedies.
The Programme Director was Dr Ntsoaki Malebo: Senior lecturer and researcher from NWU and the closing remarks were delivered by Dr Speech Nelana: Director for Research Department at VUT.
During the last day of the science week, Mr Comfort Madalane: Alumni Coordinator from Corporate Affairs Department at VUT was the Programme Director.
Opening and welcome was done by Dr Odilia Sehume: Head of Department: Health Sciences Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences at VUT. The lectures on the third day were on Awareness of the Fourth Industrial Revolution presented by Mr Collen Nkalanga: Technologist at R&T Operations & Analytics at Sasol and 3D Printers by Mr David Mauchline: Specialist in Additive Manufacturing at VUTSGSTP.
Prof Raymond Mabuza: Executive Dean: Faculty of Applied & Computer Science officially closed the event with a vote of thanks. He acknowledged everyone who made a success of the event and the lecturers for the preparation of their work.
Learners that attended the National Science Week
“You’ve got a big challenge ahead of you. Be yourself, set goals, learn to get along with others and be a dreamer that will change your family history,” he told the learners in his concluding remarks.
For each day of the programme, there were science activities that the learners engaged in. They included the Science Show – A play inspiring and encouraging the learners to take Mathematics and Science as subjects in high school and as a career choice – and theatre sports to test the learners’ knowledge of science and technology.
The learners also experienced live experiments, attended exhibitions and had a tour of the VUT Science Park.
Five schools from different areas, as well as VUT students attended and participated in the Science Week. Four of these schools – Lebohang Secondary School and Thuto-Lore Comprehensive School, in Sharpeville; and Thuto-Tiro Comprehensive School and Sizanani-Thusanang Comprehensive School in Sebokeng, have an existing partnership with VUT which dates from 2017. They are beneficiaries of the VUT’s Idea2Product (I2P)3D Printing labs which were donated to their schools.
The fifth school was Founders Hill College, which is based in Johannesburg.
