Young minds reaching for the stars

A group of young, bright and enthusiastic future scientists and astronomers competed for a position to be in the top nine schools in the district in this year’s Astro Quiz. Twenty-nine primary schools from all over the district, consisting of teams of four, battled it out in round two of the competition.
Round one took place earlier this year in four venues across the Umzinyathi District where twenty-nine schools were chosen to take part in round two, depending on their marks, hosted by Dundee Junior School on June 5.
The AstroQuiz is a competition, aimed at grade 6 and 7 learners, based on themes around astronomy. “The project is aimed to develop scientists and astronomers from schools at a young age,” said Phelelani Ndaba, quiz master and subject advisor for the Department of Education. The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) co-ordinates, manages and funds the project which runs nationally. According to SAASTA, the project’s main objective is to build appreciation and pride in South Africa’s history of astronomical activity and achievements. Furthermore, to record and celebrate the participation of women in astronomy to interest young girls into the profession.
The quiz is run on knock-out rounds based on a set of 30 questions per round and the number of points a team accumulates. The multiple choice questions are answered simultaneously with an additional five questions in case of a tie, in this case, sudden death determines the winner.
Out of the 29 schools, nine schools made it to the next round, set to take place on August 28 in Richards Bay, competing against all districts in KwaZulu Natal.
Hollywood Primary School, Ethangeni Combined School, Jabavu Primary School, Isibukosabasha Primary School and Sibumba Primary school; tied with a score of 15 points. Dundee Junior School tied with Thulasizwe Primary School with 17 points. Nocomboshe Primary School and Glencoe Primary School tied in first place with 19 points.
Umzinyathi District has triumphed in the past years in this competition. In 2010, Dundee Primary won the provincial finals and 2014 Greytown Junior came third in the provincial finals.