The Department of Science & Technology (DST) approved a national plan for a Network of Science Centres in South Africa which has the following goals:

  • To promote Science & Technology literacy among young people and the general public.
  • To contribute to the enhancement of learner participation and performance in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
  • To identify and nurture youth talent and potential in STEM.
  • To provide career education in STEM-based discipline.

In pursuit of the above goals, the DST regards a national network for science centres as an ideal infrastructure for the delivery of science, engineering and technology (SET) public awareness and SET youth development. The network of science centres is to be established and maintained by means of accreditation with potential benefits perceived as follows:

Accreditation against a clear set of criteria would lend credibility to a science centre, and benefits would include the ability to indicate to potential sponsors that the centre is worth supporting.

  • Benchmarking would support development of existing science centres and provide guidelines for establishment of new science centres.
  • Accreditation could help develop a useful database of contact details and services (including exhibitions and programmes), and would provide a platform for communication and the sharing of relevant information, ideas and expertise among accredited science centres within South Africa and with other countries.
  • Accredited science centres would qualify to apply for financial grants, support and/or subsidies from the DST.
  • Accredited science centres could qualify to make use of a pool of exhibits and traveling exhibits, training and shared programmes.
  • Accreditation would provide a platform for international recognition.

In support of the accreditation, a peer-evaluation training was presented to South African science centres at SAASTA in June 2014, and more than 34 science centres were represented.

A pilot project for the accreditation of science centres has been completed, and accreditation decisions will be communicated with relevant parties in due course. Eight science centres have been selected for accreditation in 2014/2015.

Join the Network

Join the Network of Science Centres and gain accreditation status via a process of self-evaluation and then peer-evaluation during a visit to your science centre.

Contact

Luyanda Mahlanza
Email luyanda@saasta.ac.za
Call +27 (0)12 392 9355