How can biotechnology be used to address food security in South African households?
This is the topic that will be debated by Randfontein High School (RHS) in the final of the 2016 South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) National Schools Debates Competition.
Taking place on Thursday, 6 October in Johannesburg, the SAASTA National Schools Debates Competition is an annual programme that aims to encourage young people to address key issues around science and technology that their communities face.
RHS will go head to head against eight other high schools from around the country, all of whom are provincial finalists from among 90 schools that competed in the regional rounds of SAASTA debates in April.
In addition to increasing their knowledge and gaining experience in the debating arena, the winning national team will be awarded with a trip to New York, which includes scientific exploration as well as tourism.
Conceived and hosted by SAASTA, a business unit of the National Research Foundation, the programme seeks to foster the confidence to speak about science in high school students from Grades 9 to 11. It also gives participants the opportunity to develop research, critical thinking and information literacy skills, as well as the ability to work as a team to present logical, clear arguments.
The topic for the 2016 SAASTA National Schools Debates Competition is: South Africa faces high levels of poverty, resulting in a significant number of households being classified as food insecure and high levels of malnutrition, particularly in children. How can biotechnology be used to address food security in South African households?
Competing schools will be tasked to argue this topic from four different perspectives, these being: application and benefit, economic, sociocultural and political. The contestants are only allowed to pre-prepare their opening statements but subsequent responses and closing speeches must be prepared during the competition.
“Developing a culture that embraces science, engineering, technology and innovation is linked to the overall economic development of any country,” said Michael Ellis, Manager of Science Communication for SAASTA.
“In South Africa, we have many pressing socioeconomic challenges, which require a skilled workforce to help steer the nation towards international competitiveness, economic growth and to generally improve the lives of its citizens. SAASTA’s goal is to steer young South African minds towards careers in science, engineering, technology and innovation.
“Debate is a lively and valuable platform that makes scientific information relevant to pupils; it’s the spark that can light the fire which fuels a lifelong quest for innovation,” added Michael.
Thes top schools and regional debate winners are:
• Kimberley Girls High – Northern Cape
• Queens Boys College – Eastern Cape
• Randfontein High – Gauteng
• Mashising Secondary School – Mpumalanga
• Solvista Secondary School – KZN
• Hentie Cilliers High School – Free State
• Dendron Secondary School – Limpopo
• Cravenby Secondary School – Western Cape
• High School for Girls Potchefstroom – North West
Follow the teams during their provincial finals on Twitter @SAASTADebates or Facebook at www.facebook.com/SAASTADebates.
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