 |
91% of readers strongly agree that social media platforms could play a key role in attracting younger generations of South Africans to SET fields of study. |
|
3% say they are not sure (too many learners still don’t have internet access). |
|
6% disagree (the time and money could be better spent on outreach projects). |
It’s like a real-life movie ... Scientists plan to smash a spacecraft into an asteroid - so they are prepared for the possibility they will have to stop one hurtling towards Earth. The news came as Nasa moved to calm fears that a comet is on a collision course with our planet. Read more
IN THE NEWS
They're good ... better than good!
 |
The two top performers in this year’s National Science Olympiad were Martinette Rossouw of Hoërskool Delmas in Mpumalanga (life sciences) and Shavan Sookdeo of Star College in KwaZulu-Natal (physical sciences). Seen here are, from left, Beverley Damonse, Executive Director of SAASTA; Martinette Rossouw; Derek Hanekom, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology; and Shavan Sookdeo. |
|
South Africa’s top science learners were lauded at a gala dinner in June, in recognition of their first-class performance in this year’s National Science Olympiad.
This year, more than 24 000 learners from around South Africa and SADC countries wrote the National Science Olympiad test - the largest number ever in the 47 years of the competition.
Mr Derek Hanekom, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology and keynote speaker at the awards event in June, applauded the winners for their excellent achievement.
Beverley Damonse, Executive Director of SAASTA, points out that as an organisation, SAASTA’s role is to change lives and make a contribution towards providing South Africa with skilled human capacity, especially in the critical areas of science, engineering and technology (SET).
“Our success in this field is evident in the number of professionals who are actively involved in the economy of this country and who have indicated that they, to a certain extent, occupy their positions in society because they were identified and nurtured through interventions like the National Science Olympiad,” she says.
Dr Jabu Nukeri, Manager of SAASTA’s Science Education unit, adds: “It is encouraging to note that participation and performance have steadily improved over the past few years. Participation in this year’s Olympiad has been the highest ever since the first test was written in 1964.”
The Olympiad test consists of a number of curriculum-based and general science and technology questions for grades 10-12 learners. There are two Olympiad papers that candidates can choose from: physical sciences and life sciences. Several prizes are awarded to the learners who perform best in various categories of the Olympiad, as well as to the top-performing schools.
The project is sponsored by Harmony Gold Mining Company, the fifth-largest gold producer in the world. Prizes include laptop and desktop computers, iPods, laboratory equipment and book vouchers, invitations to attend a Science Focus Week in Pretoria, a trip to the UK to attend the London International Youth Science Forum for the top five learners, and participation in the Australian Science Focus Week for three top performers in the lower grades.
The 130 best achievers arrived in Pretoria near the end of June for a week of edutainment and exposure to careers in SET. Learners were treated to lectures, excursions and industry visits to a Harmony Gold mine, the National Zoological Gardens, Necsa, the Agricultural Research Council, Sci-enza Science Centre, the Johannesburg Observatory and forensic laboratories.
Additionally, three learners have been chosen to attend a Science Focus Week in Australia in January 2012. They are:
- John Kato, African Leadership Academy, Gauteng
(Best marks in Physical Science in Grade 10) - Ton Chon Dong, African Leadership Academy, Gauteng
(Best girl learner in Life Science in Grade 10) - Seamen Stein, Queenstown Girls High School, Queenstown, Eastern Cape
(Best girl learner in Physical Science in Grade 11)
Registration for the 2012 National Science Olympiad will open in October this year. Please visit www.saasta.ac.za for more information.