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90% of readers believe that mobile technology and increasing online access make social media an ideal platform for attracting younger generations of South Africans to SET fields of study. |
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5% of readers say they are not sure. |
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5% of readers say that this time and money could be better spent on outreach projects. |
Exoplanet extraordinaire… Only a few weeks into the new year and already four new exoplanets have been discovered. An exoplanet is a planet that orbits a star in a solar system other than that of the earth. It looks as though 2012 is going to be a year filled with discovery.
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OUT AND ABOUT
Science really is a universal language
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Puleng Tsie, who recently completed an internship at the La Cité Science Museum in Paris. |
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As part of the Culture Profession Programme between South Africa and France, Puleng Tsie recently completed an internship at the La Cité Science Museum in Paris. As a member of the organising team for the museum’s Fete de la sciences science and arts festival, Puleng learnt that no common language is needed when people speak science.
Puleng’s Culture Profession Progamme internship was sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology and managed by SAASTA. Her employer, ArcelorMittal Newcastle Science Centre, granted Puleng two months off work to take part in the programme. The University of Pretoria also sponsored her French lessons, making her life in Paris somewhat easier.
“Being a young science communicator in South Africa, I have always looked for opportunities to improve and increase my knowledge and experience in this field,” says Tsie. “When the opportunity arose to be part of the Culture Profession Programme, I applied just like all the other hopefuls. It was only months later when I received the wonderful news that my application had been successful.”
The Culture Profession Programme is a South African/French initiative aimed at creating links and collaborations between the two countries through an exchange programme that facilitates knowledge, experience and culture sharing.
“My internship was based at the La Cité Science Museum, where I was involved in the organisation of their famous Fete de la sciences – the museum’s science and arts festival that has been running for 20 years,” says Tsie. “During this time the festival has established a unique balance between the sciences and arts, ensuring a wide reach.
“Being part of the team gave me the opportunity to understand the dynamics of organising such an event. This included selecting performing artists and science workshops, inviting research institutes, marketing the event, dealing with the budget, and setting up the staff schedule since museum employees volunteer to work during the festival weekend.
“Not only was I part of the organising team but I also had the chance to present a workshop during the festival. My workshop, aimed at children between 5 and 12 years, was based on the history of African storytelling. It was titled ‘Before pen and paper there was...’
“I learnt so much from this internship, both personally and career-wise. As the newly appointed floor manager of the ArcelorMittal Newcastle Science Centre, I feel the ideas I have brought back are suited for the communities that we serve. The internship also gave me networking opportunities that I’m certain will ensure further collaboration with the people of the La Cité museum.
“There was a definite culture shock when I arrived in Paris, and my inability to speak French fluently didn’t help matters. However, the shock soon subsided when I realised that science is a universal language. In no time Paris grew on me, and it’s definitely a city I will visit again. Thank you to every who made this experience possible.”