February 17, 2006
By Emmanuel Mulaudzi and Shamin Chibba
SCIENCE and maths are vital subjects in today's technology-driven world, and the Psyched for Science campaign gives youngsters an insight into the opportunities to be found in these fields.
The City of Johannesburg's library and information services unit launched the campaign, run by its libraries unit, at the Florida Library on Thursday, 16 February, following a pilot project in 2004 and 2005.
"Young people will become aware and get educated about the opportunities available for them in the world of science," said Christine Walters, mayoral committee member for community development, roads and parks.
"They will also be given the opportunity to explore and showcase their scientific and technological abilities.
"The city of Joburg has a skills gap, resulting in a high rate of unemployment," continued Walters, stressing the importance of mathematics and science in the working environment.
The library and information services unit brings together universities, science institutions, the City's utilities as well as learners and educators to interact and share knowledge about science, technology, engineering and maths.
Set to kick off in March, the Psyched for Science campaign is supported by Johannesburg Water, Pikitup, the Johannesburg Roads Agencies, City Parks, various universities and the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), among others.
SAASTA's Dr Jabulani Nukeri urged parents to encourage their children to take maths and science as school subjects.
He added that SAASTA supported the library and information services campaign.
Exhibitions, workshops involving science demonstrations, and special book collections for science, technology, engineering and mathematics form part of the campaign. It also encourages youngsters to apply the theories learned in class to practical use, and during the campaign learners will be able to exhibit their projects in the Science Model Competition. Entry forms will be available at the libraries.
Two of last year's winners were the Hillebrand sisters, Charlotte (14) and Pippa (12), in the senior secondary and junior secondary age groups, respectively. Charlotte won for her model displaying electromagnetism; Pippa won for her Charles's law model, which experiments with the rising of hot air.
Both intend to enter this year's competition, with Pippa wanting to create a fire extinguisher. However, Charlotte is undecided, saying, "I will keep researching until I find something."
At the launch representatives from Sci-Bono, the science centre in Newtown, demonstrated experiments, like an acid base reaction by mixing vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. "The government needs to invest more money in the science and technology field," said Sci-Bono's Mbulelo Ngwenya, adding that young people should be the main focus for empowerment in the science sector.
As a provider of knowledge, Johannesburg's library and information services was committed to improving its book stock through this campaign, Walters said.
According to the deputy director of the Library and Information Services, Atilla Lourens, the budget had received a R5-million boost to buy books – some would be used to obtain books on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
She urged teachers, parents, the government, tertiary institutions and science experts to become involved in the campaign. "I think it is a beautiful project. I think people underestimate it and people do not know the value of it."
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