The 2016 South African Association for Science and Technology Educators (SAASTE) provincial conference was held at Hoerskool Nelspruit. The aim of the conference was to advance teachers in Science and Technology. SAASTA organised facilitators to assist carve the teachers’ teaching skills for Physical Science, Natural Science and Technology.

The total number reached for the technology workshop was 142 educators.  The facilitators (Mr Ndashe & Ms Phakathi) from the Department of Basic Education – Mpumalanga, provided workshop that showed teachers how to create models of technology such as stop and go model etc. All material for facilitators and teachers during the workshops was provided by SAASTA.

Furthermore, SAASTA collaborated with SANSA and conducted a space science workshop which forms part of the Natural Sciences curriculum, for grade 8-9 Educators at Mafikeng.

Onica Phayane (SAASTA coordinator for education) also presented SAASTA’s science engagement mandate to all teachers at the conference. She highlighted the importance of taking science out of the classroom walls and inspiring learners to engage with their daily environment.

The conference was huge success and it was recommended that such an alliance be available in next national conference and other SAASTE provincial conferences.