Inspiring the scientists of tomorrow in Brixton
BRIXTON – Play Africa's 'I am a Scientist' exhibition makes Stem education come alive through play.
Recently, hundreds of school children in Brixton, Auckland Park, Melville and Parktown have experienced a first-of-its-kind science experience at the Brixton Community Centre through Play Africa’s I am a Scientist travelling exhibition.
Play Africa, a children’s museum based at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, designed and built the I am a Scientist exhibition to introduce children in Grades R–3 to various fields of science through playful learning that evokes investigation. The exhibition travels to disadvantaged schools across Gauteng province encouraging learners to pursue coursework and careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem). It also includes an online programme to introduce children to diverse Stem role models in live, interactive sessions.
“We have teachers telling us that they haven’t seen children be this happy since lockdown,” said Play Africa’s programme manager Ann Simmonds. “Children have been able to imagine themselves as different kinds of scientists with hands-on measurement, fun science experiments and fantasy play.”
Play Africa collaborated with South African scientists to design the exhibition, in which learners move through life-size scenes to imagine themselves in different science careers. They will be naturalists, tracking and learning about animals and plants in Kruger National Park.
They explored space science, renewable energy and the impact of climate change on the Northern Cape. And they will learn about science all around them – the science of active play in urban green parks, the innovation of science in Soweto-based maker space, and the science of urban farming and food security.
Programmes like these in disadvantaged communities may help bridge opportunity gaps in science education. Research is said to show that racial and gender disparities are reflected in the unequal visibility of South Africans in Stem fields. “Promoting equity in science and Stem in South Africa means changing mindsets, fighting racial and gender biases, and challenging stereotypes that limit children’s professional goals,” said Gretchen Wilson-Prangley, CEO of Play Africa.
