Education in action
EBONY AND IVORY PARK - Five energetic Wits University students run a programme in township schools to inspire science awareness and pride in South Africa's unique habitat.
Not content with the stress of completing a Masters degree, Zniko Ndlovu, Hlengiwe Radebe and their teammates Vidosava Jakovljevic, Dumisani Ndaba and Macphee Fhulufhedzani, are seeking to spread their enthusiasm for science to township pupils.
The five post-graduates are alumni of the Applied Centre for Climate and Earth Systems (Access) Habitable Planet Workshop programme, which introduces undergraduate students to Earth Systems Sciences from the perspective of South Africa’s unique environment. Now they are passing their knowledge on to the next generation of scientists through the Mini-Habitable Planet schools programme.
“It’s encouraging for the pupils because we’re students. We’ve been through the system recently,” said Ndlovu.
The Habitable Planet programme’s multidisciplinary approach offers something for everybody, from environmental scientists to social scientists, say Ndlovu and Radebe. Their own Mini-Habitable Planet workshop and after-school programme will be similarly wide-ranging, making no demand that the 25 participating Grade 9 and 11 pupils have a background in science. Indeed, the programme aims to expose participants to the sciences as a desirable career choice, as well as inspiring them with a sense of pride in South Africa’s unique environment.
The all-expenses-paid workshop will see pupils from Umqhele, Eqinisweni and Tsosoletso secondary schools attend lectures in Earth Systems Science, field trips, and a career day. During after-school sessions, pupils will complete projects in various Earth Systems Science areas, including weather and nature observation, and environmental awareness.
“I enjoy working with young people… It would be nice to have an influence over how science is developed,” said Radebe.
The after-school programme will run through September, while the Mini-Habitable Planet workshop is scheduled for early October. While sponsorship is provided by Access, contributions towards catering, stationery and transport are welcome, as are career day exhibitors and guest lecturers who wish to contribute to these students’ mission to pass on their scientific inspiration.
Details: www.access.ac.za; Dr. Carl Palmer: cpalmer@access.ac.za; 073 863 0963; 021 658 3991.
