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46% of getS.E.T.go! readers think that the most important benefit of South Africa’s recent participation in the Shanghai Expo, will be the raising of our country’s science & technology profile on the global stage. |
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38% opted for “sharing of international best practices in maths & science education”; and 15% for “building an international network of contacts”. |
Almost 21 000 learners from around South Africa and SADC countries participated in the Science Olympiad this year.
What does an astronomer do? What is nanotechnology? How does one commercialise research successfully? Some 300 grade 10 & 11 physical science learners recently found out.
The learners, which came from schools across Gauteng West, North West and several farm, township and rural areas, attended a recent role-modelling event at Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO).
The HartRAO event, funded by SAASTA, was the final part of a project started in 2008 and hosted by different science centres around the country, aimed at exposing learners to various careers, assisting them in career choices and encouraging them to enter into science, engineering and technology (SET) fields.
Besides finding answers to their burning science questions and getting an up-close-and-personal view of the 26m radio telescope, the learners joined in activities presented by various role models. This included an exhibition of SET careers by Unisa and a tour around HartRAO conducted by the Observatory’s science awareness team.
Presentation topics included general astronomy, nanotechnology, careers in science, and commercialisation of science. The role models who inspired learners were invited from SAASTA, Unisa, the University of Cape Town and Anglo Platinum.