PROTEC’s holiday projects

The school holidays were jam-packed this month with exciting activities for PROTEC learners who participated in a variety of workshops.

Grade 10 pupils built steam cars using kits designed by Professor Jeff Bindon from the mechanical engineering faculty at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).

“In addition to applying maths and physical science concepts in a practical and fun way, this workshop develops good team work, problem solving and communication skills. It also enables these young people to test their skills and aptitude in engineering and increase their understanding of technology and the environment,” said PROTEC Tongaat manager Marion Takis.

The cars were judged on the number of metres they could travel and the top four teams will participate in the Steam Car Challenge at the FFS Science Expo at UKZN on July 31.

The grade 11 pupils participated in an electricity workshop where they learned about electric circuits, transformers and Ohm’s Law. This interactive workshop involved a variety of fascinating practical activities and video clips.

Meanwhile, the three PROTEC teams who are participating in the SAICE Regional Bridge Building Competition on August 6 also spent the holidays building their bridges for the competition.

The grade 12 pupils, however, continued to focus on their studies by attending enrichment classes in maths, physical science and life science as the year moves forward to their matric finals.

“As a non-profit organization, PROTEC is entirely reliant on sponsorships and it is thanks to the generous support of PROTEC’s financial partners such as the North Coast Courier, Altech, Tongaat Hulett, SICDTF, SITFE, BMG and FFS Refiners that these children are able to participate in these exciting opportunities,” said Takis.