Learn to love maths and science

National Science Week (NSW), an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is a countrywide celebration of science involving various stakeholders and role players conducting science-based activities during the week.

National Science Week is run in all nine provinces simultaneously at multiple sites per province.

SAASTA (South African Agency and Technology Advancement) has been appointed by the DST as the implementing agency and plays the role of national project manager for National Science Week.

The theme for 2017 is “Advancing Science Tourism”.

Local Germiston-based organisation Maths our World is excited about the upcoming week.

The organisation received funding from SAASTA to carry out maths and science activities in Ekurhuleni and the Bojanala district in the North West province.

The activities in Ekurhuleni will take place at Golden Walk Shopping Centre in the Germiston CBD, Ekurhuleni Primary School in Dukathole and Fumana Secondary School in Katlehong.

Maths our World will be conducting the following activities:

• Golden Walk: August 5 to 9: 10am to 1pm daily.

Family Maths: Helping parents become more involved in their children’s maths education.

Who is invited: All residents of Germiston who are interested can participate free of charge.

Prizes: There are goodies to be won as parents will be given the opportunity to enter competitions in order to create some fun.

Various traditional maths games, such as cards, dice, clock and Morabaraba will be explored to show parents how they can assist their children with maths homework by using games.

The main idea is to instil a love for mathematics in parents and learners.

It helps to develop mental processes that enhance logical and critical thinking, accuracy and problem-solving which then contributes to decision making.

“It has been proven that family involvement in the education of children has a great number of benefits.

“In this activity, the facilitator will use games to discuss various mathematical concepts with parents.

“The facilitator will demonstrate how maths is expressed in various daily activities like waking up in the morning, going to school, going to work, going to the grocery store, counting money, telling time, fractions and so on.

“The facilitator will also show how parents can make their own mathematical games from recycled material,” said Tom.

• Ekurhuleni Primary School: August 7 to 11: 8am to 10am daily.

Who is invited: All the learners of Ekurhuleni Primary School and teachers who want to make their classes fun.

Prizes: There are goodies to be won by learners who will enter competitions to create more fun.

Learners are going to participate in Morabaraba, play card, dice and clock games.

Lack of maths skills can have very negative effects on learners. They can be cheated, get taken advantage of or make wrong decisions.

Basic mathematical concepts can, therefore, improve one’s quality of life.

“These concepts will empower them to be independent, make informed decisions about different things, plan better, save better and live a better life,” said Tom.

• Fumana Secondary School: August 7 to 11: 8am to 10am daily.

Who is invited: All the learners of Fumana Secondary School and teachers who want to make their classes fun.

Prizes: There are goodies to be won by learners who will enter competitions to create more fun.

The events at Fumana will include science related events.

They will have a ‘density demonstration’, where they will learn to understand the concept of density better.

There will also be an activity entitled ‘kitchen and bathroom science’ which will teach learners how to carry out many science experiments using common household items found in their kitchen and bathroom.

Maths our World thanks the retail manager of Fellowes Beswick (head office, Winchester Hills) and Cherine Delport for sponsoring prizes to be won by parents and learners.

“These activities will have a lifetime impact on our parents and learners, and will make our National Science Week more fun,” said Tom.

“We also extend our special appreciation to Department of Science and Technology and SAASTA for entrusting our organisation with this great opportunity and the responsibility of promoting a love of mathematics and science.”

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