TODAY’S SCIENCE TOMORROW’S WORLD
“Today’s science tomorrow’s world” was the theme of this year’s science week celebration. More than five hundred learners, teachers and parents attended the celebration at the Mothibistad Science Centre, which took place from the 4th -8th of August 2014.
The learners around Mothibistad and Batlharos where treated with a range of activities including Maths puzzles as well as experiments, whilst the teachers were treated to a presentation from Professor Medupi from the Science Faculty of the North West University.
Mr K.C Molema from T.T Lekalake Primary School said that it is the second time he attends the National Science Week, “the national science week is very helpful because it encourages teachers to use different methods to present lessons. It is also fascinating for learners as many see practical work and more experiments”.
Presentations were made from the Department of Water Affairs and the Department of Transport and Public Work where they encouraged learners to take science as a subject what job opportunities they pursue in the future. Most learners where extremely excited when they learned that the Department of Water Affairs is giving away bursaries which will pay for their tuition, accommodation, transport and all other costs related to IT resources e.g. laptops.
The Water Affairs presentation had identified a shortage of technically skilled labour especially around water issues hence the aim to entice learners to study in the field so that they close this skills gap. The Department of Water Affairs has also established a learning academy through which learners receive their bursaries. The department announced that they have already spent R1.3 million on bursaries which have made significant differences in the life of the many disadvantaged communities of the Northern Cape.
Tlotlong Mereetsie a learner from Jantjie Middle School marvelled “I enjoyed the National Science week because I learnt a lot. I did not know that the planet rotates around the sun, and I also enjoyed wearing the big glasses and the white coat because it was practice for me as I would like to become a Scientist, perhaps the first female Scientist who was born and bred in the John Taolo Gaetsewe District.
There were also exhibitions which were open to the public. Exhibitions were held in Mothibistad as well as Kathu.