Learners from Crawford College in Sandton have come out top in the National Schools Debates competition and will represent Gauteng during the national finals.
The competition, hosted by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement, aims to encourage learners to develop their scientific research and information literacy skills and show them how to work as a team to present logical, clear arguments.
The debate team members include Nkomati Mashabane, Fatima Adam, Muzzammil Haneef Tayob, Yastiel Pillay and Yasmeen Geldenhuys. Thanks to their victory during the competition the learners have each received a laptop, medal and an international science trip to the United States.
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 Fourth 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,” said Michael Ellis, manager of science communication for the agency.
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.
Details: Crawford College Sandton 011 784 3447.
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