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By Johnathan Paoli
National Science Week (NSW) is a critical opportunity to further the integration of science and technology into society, in light of the below average performance of the country in the sector, according to the SA Agency for Science and Technology Advancement.
SAASTA communication manager Mike Ellis praised the importance of science education, especially for the youth, saying that despite the achievements made so far, more needed to be done to put South African on the map.
“South Africa has been performing below average, with some significant challenges, including socio-economic disparity. However, we have made significant progress since 2003, especially regarding gender and other improvements including raising awareness,” Ellis said.
Ellis referenced the 2019 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), an assessment of learners from both the intermediate and senior phases, and facilitated by the Human Sciences Research Council.
It compares learners’ educational knowledge and skills.
The assessment found that out of a group of 17 countries, South Africa scored last with a score of 370, 130 below the centrepoint of 500.
Also, language was a major obstacle in science education, in addition to socio-economic barriers which impacted effective learning and educational support.
The TIMSS 2019 results indicated that learner performance, while improving, was still low.
There was an urgent need to identify ways to enhance science teaching and learning.
It called for the introduction of scientific terms in everyday speech among learners, an improvement in reading with meaning, and a practical as well as theoretical method which encourages critical thinking skills.
Ellis said there was a desperate need of more skilled teachers in order to help students on scientific educational development, but this required well-funded schools.
He said improvement within the sector hinged upon a comprehensive strategy which took into consideration the unique challenges of South Africa as a country.
Both the SAASTA and the Science and Innovation Department has welcomed the NSW as an opportunity to further integrate science and technology in schools and public spaces.
The week will consist of several activities at both national and provincial level that aim to bridge the gap between science and the nation.
In terms of the national scale, activities include daily five-minute quizzes at the beginning of the school day for schools at intermediate, senior and FET levels.
The Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu Science Centre in the Eastern Cape is expected to conduct a talk on the importance of cybersecurity in the digital age on Tuesday.
The Free State is expected to conduct public visits to government-funded infrastructure to experience astronomy and associated technologies at the Naval Hill Planetarium in Bloemfontein.
In Gauteng, the Tshwane University of Technology is expected to host a Science Festival on Wednesday, celebrating creativity and innovation among science students.
Postgraduates will showcase their innovative high-tech-based science projects through oral presentation.
In KwaZulu-Natal, an early childhood development event on coding and robotics will be held in Newcastle, as well as a hands-on science exhibition on virtual reality.
Limpopo will see an exhibition starting from Wednesday on smart farming using technology, and a school visit to St Mark’s Comprehensive Secondary School to showcase career opportunities in science and technology while educating students about the latest advances.
Mpumalanga will additionally host an ECD introduction to technology in Mbombela the entire week.
The Northern Cape will host public visits to the South African Astronomical Observatory field station near Sutherland, while the North West will celebrate science week at the Lerothodi Secondary School in Bojanala.
The Western Cape will host public visits to the SA Astronomical Observatory in Cape Town, is set to launch a hands-on activity for schools in the Overberg district, as well as a learner outreach in Laingsburg and a community engagement on sustainable fishing.
Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande officially launched the NSW on Saturday at the Bloemfontein campus of the Central University of Technology.
He said his department sought to encourage a culture of critical conversations among ordinary people and the youth concerning the value of science to society.
SAASTA project coordinator Bafedile Kgwadi called for active participation in the week’s activities.
“Science is all around us, and people from all sectors of society are encouraged to participate and demonstrate how they relate to technology and it affects their everyday life,” Kgwadi said.
The department also launched the Science Engagement Information Management System in order to store and process raw project performance data.
It aligns the science engagement programme with the 2011 National Evaluation Policy Framework for the Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation Department as well as the National Treasury. The week-long celebration is expected to provide all stakeholders with the opportunity to advance the goals of the country’s science engagement programme, and generate the necessary buzz about science in everyday life.
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