The year began a week earlier for 60 Grade 12 physical science learners who attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)/ Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (Isasa)/ St John’s College Science Enrichment Programme.
Learners from independent schools across South Africa, Swaziland and Namibia took on the programme run by six MIT students. The programme was designed around three primary threads including neuro and cognitive science, computing science and research methods under the umbrella theme ‘The Brain: Natural and Artificial Intelligence’.
The learners were exposed to a range of activities including working through problem sets normally presented to MIT undergraduates in their studies and the practicalities of designing and building structures against the real-world constraints of time and budgets.
Physical sciences teacher at St John’s College Jeanne Trickett said, “They built and programmed robots and discussed the importance of developing entrepreneurial skills. A visit to the IBM research lab and Tshimologong District, Braamfontein, proved to be a highlight for many. Exposure to breaking edge concepts such as quantum computing opened our students’ eyes to the breadth of possibilities that lie ahead of them and the understanding that disruptive innovation occurs at the nodes (intersection points) of our fields of science, art and humanities.”
Trickett said deputy vice chancellor and head of research at Wits University Prof. Zeblon Vilakazi captivated his audience as he discussed the development of Stem (science, technology, engineering and maths) careers and the importance of collaboration and networks in the development of new technologies.
“A strong theme that underpinned all discussions was the importance of cherishing what makes us human, and thus, the importance of developing strong ethical codes to guide our scientific endeavour.”
Tricket remarked that the team enjoyed the energy and deep curiosity of the Isasa students and the humbling learning they took from visits to the Apartheid Museum, Constitution Hill and the Cradle of Humankind.
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