MBOMBELA – The handover of the construction site at Penryn College for further development was recently observed as the next phase of the project was entered.
According to Craig Lewis, chairperson of the facilities development committee: Penryn council, the first phase of the centre was constructed and opened in 2012, co-funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Manganese Metal Company (MMC) and Shalamuka Foundation Trust.
It currently comprises a community hall, two fixed science laboratories, an auditorium, a sport centre and three Bayer mobile science laboratories that reach over 3 000 pupils per annum from under-resourced schools for science and maths-related learning and awareness.
“It is important to emphasise that from the outset, this centre was intended as a community asset, with Penreach as its custodian to ensure that the broader community benefits from the activities that take place within or as a result of the centre” said Lewis.
Explaining the excitement about the new developments, Susanna Oosthuizen, Penreach chief operating officer, stated that the upgraded STEAM centre will boast an interactive learning experience with immersive technologies, coding, robotics, augmented reality, audiovisual products, 3D printing, maker space and much more.
The experience will consist of learning islands that are themed with interactive stations.
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Each one will pose a challenge for visitors to observe, engage, discuss, craft and test a solution and report back using a centre buddy device. “Learning adventures” will be customised to specific learning outcomes.
Teachers and learners will be able to book and use the STEAM centre to enhance what they have already covered in class.
Expressing his support for the Penreach STEAM Centre, during his previous visit to inspect the planned developments, Bonakele Majuba, MEC for education (DoE) Mpumalanga, asserted that “embracing technological advances in the form of ICT and artificial intelligence as the Fourth Industrial Revolution takes shape in the country is paramount to securing the future of our learners and the world of work”.
He stated that the department has begun the process of transforming its curriculum by introducing new and exciting subjects such as aviation studies, maritime, and coding and robotics.
Activities in the Penreach STEAM Centre will include the following:
• Centre-based-using STEAM exhibits, makerspace, auditorium, and science laboratories for educator training, learner experiences, club volunteer training and general public awareness.
• Community-based-using mobile science labs and community clubs for classroom-based support for teachers and STEAM clubs for additional exposure to coding, robotics, maths, science, and arts using innovative technology.
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It will serve as a hub for the region, facilitating collaboration, learning and creating with various stakeholders such as the DoE, industries, teachers, learners, schools and parents. The objective is to educate, promote and showcase with STEAM. Exhibits will be designed to stimulate creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking.
According to The Future of Jobs and Skills report, conducted by the World Economic Forum, the most in-demand occupations found today did not exist 10 or even five years ago. Furthermore, the pace of change is set to accelerate significantly.
The report estimates that 65 per cent of children entering primary school today will enter the workforce in careers that do not yet exist.
The centre will serve all ages and present a learning opportunity for all visitors. It is estimated that approximately 6 000 pupils will be exposed to intensive educational activities and more than a total of 40 000 people will visit the science centre annually.
This will include a considerable fraction of the region’s science teachers and senior science learners. More children will be reached through outreach activities conducted via the Penreach Baylab mobile centres.
Penreach is an established social impact NGO in education with the support of the DoE, Department of Social Development, Department of Science and Innovation and other prominent stakeholders in the region and nationally.
It has a firm footprint in education interventions from early childhood development (ECD) to grade 12, with a specific focus on the educator and school leadership development in rural communities.
“Over the past 28 years, we have experienced the incredible impact that our collaborative efforts have had on learning outcomes through a year-on-year increases in learners achieving above 50 per cent in key subjects, as well as in national recognition of ECD practitioners, teachers and school leaders that participate in our development programmes,” concluded Ronel Oosthuizen, partnerships, fundraising and communications manager: Penreach.
It is actively seeking partners in education to promote STEAM learning and create future-fit learners and teachers.
If you have an interest in innovation and STEAM education you can be part of this flagship programme. Your support will help provide access to a world that should not be beyond the reach of all of South Africa’s children.
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