Anglo celebrates science week with community visits

The National Science Week (NSW) 2015 was held at Anglo-American Science Centre.

National Science Week is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and each year a theme is chosen, this year’s theme was ‘International year of light’.

The main objectives of NSW are to popularise science to the broader community, interest learners in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation (STEMI) such that they consider science, engineering and technology (SET) as preferable career option.
Local innovations in science and technology were also showcased at the NSW, which familiarized participants with the science linked to areas in which South Africa has knowledge and/or geographic advantage so as to contribute in making them informed and critically engaged citizens.

Zama Maphuhna demonstrates ‘Pedal for Power’ – the transfer of energy from pedalling to various items in the panel including a television and video camera, fan, geyser, energy saving lights, and food mixer.

The celebration was kick-started by the visit to Springvalley on August 1. The aim was to popularise science to the broader community. Fun science experiments and mathematics games were preformed by the science interns from the centre.
From August 3-6 learners from Emalahleni primary schools were bussed to the centre with the aim of interesting them in STEMI, so that they may consider SET as preferred career option.

Zakhele Zitha explains how the spinning bicycle wheel will remain upright on its own as long as there is movement.

On August 7 a competition to encourage innovation in science was held for grade 10-12 learners. They had to describe the operation of a smartphone in relation to light. Dineo Molangwane from Zacheus Malaza (grade 10) received third prize (a smartphone), Anastasia Masuku from Witbank High (grade 12) received second prize (a 10 inch tablet) and Nontsikelelo Mabuza from Pine Ridge (grade 12) received first prize (a laptop).