Randfontein High School (RHS) placed second in the recent provincial competition organised by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (Saasta). It was held at Hoërskool Randburg.
Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy came third, with Crawford College set to represent Gauteng at the Saasta National Schools Debates competition to be held in October. Provincial competitions were held during August to select the top three schools, with the winning team in each province going through to the national finals.
For the provincial finals, learners were given a relevant and challenging topic to research and debate, namely ‘Can hydrogen fuel cell technology (HFCT) be an important contributor to solving the energy needs of schools and other organisations with high societal importance?’.
Michael Ellis, Manager of Science Communication for Saasta said the annual competition aims to stimulate interest among learners to study towards careers in the fields of science, engineering and technology by researching and debating high-level topics.
“It also aims to advance public awareness, appreciation and engagement of science, technology and engineering in South Africa. The National Science Debates aims to encourage learners to think critically about science and its impact on our everyday lives. Through these debates we hope that learners will develop skills that will stand them in good stead in a rapidly developing world that is moving into the 4th industrial revolution.
“Our hope is that, in the future, the participants will be able to critically analyse and utilise scientific facts and ideas to develop eloquent and logical arguments that will have a great impact on the world around them – an impact that will move humanity forward into a sustainable, peaceful and invigorating future,” Michael said.
He added Saasta believes this will contribute to meeting a critical need in South Africa where the poor uptake of mathematics and science subjects has led to a shrinking of the pool of qualified scientists, engineers, innovators and researchers, whose skills are needed to support economic growth, improve the lives of citizens and enable the country to compete internationally.
“The debating format was chosen because it provides a means to structure and formulate ideas, discuss relevant issues and
develop critical thinking skills about society’s challenges and ways to meet them.
“The competition has been open to learners from Grades 9 to 11 who are critical thinkers, interested in developing their scientific research and information literacy skills, and willing to work as a team to present logical, clear arguments,” Michael said.
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