Endorsed by the Department of Science and Technology, the plan of the Science Week 2018 will see children from the two schools doing their experiments outside the traditional classroom textbook-based learning environment.
The Science Week will run from 29 May to 6 June and learners of these two schools, as well as their partner schools in Mamelodi, Eersterust, Attridgeville and Soweto will experience how Steam (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) can be fun, creative and interesting.
The initiative will provide opportunities for participants to work directly with multinational companies, institutions and individuals who are passionate about science and technology.
“The interaction between industry and education on such a hands-on, grass-roots, fun and exciting learning environment, is crucial.
For Industry 4.0 and for our future, such initiatives help break down the boundaries of science and technology and provide an opportunity for learners to participate fully in understanding that it is a fundamental part of who we are and affects all of our lives in every way,” explained Daan du Toit, deputy director-general: international cooperation and resources from the South African Department of Science and Technology.
Over 2 000 schoolchildren took part in the Science Week 2016 and it proved to be successful.
More than 30 leading multinational companies and South African institutions partnered with the schools to challenge curious minds with experiments, projects and demonstrations.
One of the main sponsors of Science Week, the Bosch Group’s president for the region of Africa, Markus Thill, put their support of Science Week into perspective, “This week brings together the arts of science, technology, engineering and maths, where students engage with the various subjects at a practical level presented by corporate South Africa.
Bosch actively promotes education across all age groups in which we are proud to support the Science Week that has a strong focus on students from disadvantaged communities. Science Week provides the platform to encourage the youth to engage in the art of science and better understand the world we live in,” said Thill.
