Scifest Africa is still going strong despite tough economic times that make it increasingly difficult for needy pupils to attend.
So instead of trying to get more pupils to the science festival, organisers took it to them.
An exciting addition to this year’s programme was the establishment of the iRhini Township Science Festival.
The continent’s premier science extravaganza, which started in Grahamstown 20 years ago, yesterday said although schools from across the province and beyond had flocked through the doors, taking events to needy pupils in nearby townships was a huge success.
Scifest Africa spokeswoman Stephane Meintjies said more than 56000 people attended this year – many from poor rural backgrounds.
The fest, sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology, hosted 68 exhibitions, 65 different workshops and 714 events.
More than 25550 tickets were sold.
Ten science shows and 30 workshops at the iRhini Township Festival which were attended by 1800 pupils from schools across the district.
International participants included the US’s National Aeronautics Space Administration (Nasa).
Scifest Africa outreach officer Pranesthan Govender said the demand to take science to under-resourced communities was growing.
The idea behind taking Scifest Africa to the people involved sending the best presenters in the hope they would become role models and inspire the youth to pursue careers in science, technology and innovation (STI) so they could possibly one day become leaders in these fields.
He said talented youth were identified during the outreach for inclusion in local, regional and national STI development initiatives and strides were made to develop quality resource materials that would help train educators in interactive teaching of the state school curriculum.
“Parallel to running the iRhini Township Festival, Scifest Africa also scheduled outreach activities at certain schools in the district.”
Meintjies said the commitment to do outreaches at poorer schools continued after the Scifest event, and schools as far away as Port Alfred were visited by the outreach team.
According to Meintjies, sponsoring pupils to attend Scifest afforded them the opportunity to be exposed to organisations involved with science.
Teachers were also exposed to resources that could make their teaching experience more effective.
She said taking Scifest to the townships and outreaches widened their impact.
Ntaba Maria School’s science HoD Thabiso Ntloko said having a township science festival in Joza was “very exciting and fruitful”.
He said in the past the school had to transport pupils to town to attend, which was difficult as they did not have much money.
“Bringing Scifest to the township was a good idea as it allowed many students the chance to attend.”
Jan Blom of the award-winning Port Alfred based Nemato Change a Life foundation (NCAL), which helps marginalised youth realise their dreams through sport and after school academics, said they dug into their limited resources to fund 13 members to get to Scifest. “Going was an easy choice because most of our kids have very little awareness of science from school.” — davidm@dispatch.co.za
Scifest takes top events to townships
So instead of trying to get more pupils to the science festival, organisers took it to them.
An exciting addition to this year’s programme was the establishment of the iRhini Township Science Festival.
The continent’s premier science extravaganza, which started in Grahamstown 20 years ago, yesterday said although schools from across the province and beyond had flocked through the doors, taking events to needy pupils in nearby townships was a huge success.
Scifest Africa spokeswoman Stephane Meintjies said more than 56000 people attended this year – many from poor rural backgrounds.
The fest, sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology, hosted 68 exhibitions, 65 different workshops and 714 events.
More than 25550 tickets were sold.
Ten science shows and 30 workshops at the iRhini Township Festival which were attended by 1800 pupils from schools across the district.
International participants included the US’s National Aeronautics Space Administration (Nasa).
Scifest Africa outreach officer Pranesthan Govender said the demand to take science to under-resourced communities was growing.
The idea behind taking Scifest Africa to the people involved sending the best presenters in the hope they would become role models and inspire the youth to pursue careers in science, technology and innovation (STI) so they could possibly one day become leaders in these fields.
He said talented youth were identified during the outreach for inclusion in local, regional and national STI development initiatives and strides were made to develop quality resource materials that would help train educators in interactive teaching of the state school curriculum.
“Parallel to running the iRhini Township Festival, Scifest Africa also scheduled outreach activities at certain schools in the district.”
Meintjies said the commitment to do outreaches at poorer schools continued after the Scifest event, and schools as far away as Port Alfred were visited by the outreach team.
According to Meintjies, sponsoring pupils to attend Scifest afforded them the opportunity to be exposed to organisations involved with science.
Teachers were also exposed to resources that could make their teaching experience more effective.
She said taking Scifest to the townships and outreaches widened their impact.
Ntaba Maria School’s science HoD Thabiso Ntloko said having a township science festival in Joza was “very exciting and fruitful”.
He said in the past the school had to transport pupils to town to attend, which was difficult as they did not have much money.
“Bringing Scifest to the township was a good idea as it allowed many students the chance to attend.”
Jan Blom of the award-winning Port Alfred based Nemato Change a Life foundation (NCAL), which helps marginalised youth realise their dreams through sport and after school academics, said they dug into their limited resources to fund 13 members to get to Scifest. “Going was an easy choice because most of our kids have very little awareness of science from school.” — davidm@dispatch.co.za
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