A close second was the result of a good effort by Randfontein High School (RHS) in the Gauteng provincial final of the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (Saasta) schools debate.
Saasta aims to develop critical thinking among school pupils and the use of science and technology in problem solving regarding issues that affect their communities. It also aims to develop pupil’s abilities to research and speak confidently in public.
The competition took place at the Saasta office in the Didacta Building in Pretoria over the weekend where Randfontein went head-to-head with Crawford College (winner) and Pretoria West High School. These schools were chosen to represent Gauteng at the competition.
Scientifically generated solutions to the drinking water challenges faced in South Africa and globally was the topic up for debate. Saasta asked the question: “Do you think investment in nanotechnology research will provide a feasible solution to our water challenges?” and pupils had to explain why they either thought it would, or would not.
Each team had to select one of the five perspectives of science communication to argue their view on the issue. The five perspectives included economic, socio-cultural, utilitarian, democratisation of science and advancement of science.
During their research, the debate team interviewed Randfontein Local Municipality employees about the impact of acid mine drainage on the local water supply, which is said to be an issue specifically in farming areas where people rely mostly on borehole water.
Dr Jabu Nukeri, managing director of Saasta says, “Using debate to engage scientific issues provides a platform for pupils to make scientific information relevant to them through the understanding of social, cultural, economic and broader implications”.
