|
Psyched 4 Science makes maths, science and technology fun, prompting schoolchildren to choose the subjects for matric.
The campaign promotes science and technology in a fun way
SCIENCE, technology, engineering and mathematics – together referred to as Stem – are the focus of the Johannesburg libraries’ Psyched 4 Science campaign.
Psyched 4 Science was introduced to promote science and technology while making use of libraries as a tool. The aim is to try to beat the skills gap with regard to Stem by making the subjects attractive to schoolchildren.
The campaign creates awareness of skills shortages and certain opportunities available in careers that use Stem subjects.
First held in 2005, Psyched 4 Science was initially supported by municipal-owned entities. However, this year there is a new programme, supported by other partners. The University of Johannesburg helped judge the model building competition; the Department of Science and Technology supplied career guidance books and information, said Maryna Moolman, the operations manager for community advancement in the City’s library and information services unit.
It runs on 7, 11, 12, 13 and 15 May at various venues.
“With all the activities, we would have reached approximately 2 000 disadvantaged learners across the City of Johannesburg,” she said.
“Our focus this year is more on the youth. However, educators have been included in the two competitions, the astro viewing and the Planetarium visit.”
Strategy and projects
Joburg’s Growth and Development Strategy includes projects that closely link to the Stem campaign and library services.
Psyched for Science runs on 7, 11, 12, 13 and 15 May at various venues
Library services runs several projects aimed at boosting interest in Stem subjects. One of these is book collection and information resources improvement. This directly links to its service delivery priority to deliver reference and study services and support to learners. It received R1,5-million for the Stem book collections.
Its career management project involves the delivery of special packages to help learners with subject choices and career development. Specific databases have been set up for this.
Its skills development project invests in the development of future employees required by the City.
Competitions
The finals of the Science Scuffle Quiz, designed to develop information skills, science and technology interests, takes place at the today at the Florida Library Auditorium.
Targeting learners in grades six and seven, the winner will get an MP3 player; those in second and third places will receive book vouchers.
The finals of the model-building competition for individuals and teams are on 11 May at the Florida Library Auditorium. It starts at 9.30am and targets learners in grades eight to 12. The winner will get a laptop, second placed will receive a digital camera and third placed an MP3 player.
On 12 May, the Planetarium at the University of the Witwatersrand is putting on a show called Planet Earth Beyond Trend and Curriculum, aimed at grades four to six and their teachers. The show begins at 12 noon.
The next day, again at noon at the Planetarium, grades seven to eight are targeted with the show, Focus on Reinforcing Topics in Maths, Specifically on Scaling, and Science Specifically on Gravity. These topics are part of the schools’ maths and science curricula.
Science exhibits and astro viewing is also taking place on 13 May, at Ivory Park Secondary School. The science exhibition opens at 10am and ends at 5.30pm; the astro viewing is from 5.30pm to 8pm. It targets mainly grades six to 12 learners, and celebrates the Year of Astronomy, in 2009.
The prize giving ceremony takes place on 15 May at 11am for the winners of the quiz and model-building competition at the Danie van Zyl Recreation Centre, in Montclair.
Psyched 4 Science is an initiative of the City’s library and information services unit.
Related stories:
|
