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Extensions to Newtown's
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre will put it firmly on the map as the best such centre
in Africa, and among the best in the world.
WITH new facilities being built, the Sci-Bono
Discovery Centre is making its mark as the largest science centre in Africa - and it is on its way to being counted among the
best in the world.
Increasing support for education
"We are extending so as to increase our
level of support for education. We also want to expand our capacity to serve
the public of Joburg by offering the best leisure destination in the city,"
said Thamsanqa Malinga, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre's marketing and
communications manager.
"New features in the new buildings will include
an auditorium, classrooms, laboratories, conference facilities, restaurants,
shops, a career centre, underground parking and extra exhibition space.
"This will further [strengthen Sci-Bono's
position] as the largest science centre in Africa
and will put it on par with other science centres worldwide," he said.
Costing about R350-million, the expansions
are being funded by the Gauteng
department of education. They are expected to be finished in July 2010.
However, they will not affect daily operations at the centre as they are extensions
to the existing building.
"The main centre remains open from Monday to
Sunday and visitors can come in during normal visiting hours. Tours can be booked as usual and all the
other programmes are running as scheduled," he said.
New exhibitions are also coming up. These
include Science of Soccer, which looks at how science plays a part in soccer,
from the type of soccer boots used to the type of ball and kit selected.
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre: open for business
Maths
2000 is a model-based exhibition that teaches learners data handling, geometry
and other forms of mathematical calculations.
And the Three Dinosaurs exhibition explores
the evolution of the massive, extinct creatures.
Sci-Bono provides an accessible teaching
and learning environment with hands-on exhibits, science stage shows and
innovative workshops that demonstrate a variety of scientific and mathematical
concepts.
Sci-Bono is on the corner of Miriam Makeba
and President streets in Newtown.
It is open on weekdays from 9am to 5am and on weekends from 9am to 4.30pm. Bookings
can be made for events such as children's parties and product launches.
There are also holiday programmes, for
instance a class for Grade 12 learners to help them with their syllabus, and
various other activities for children. Adults pay R20; entrance for children
between the ages of six and eight is R10 and is free for children younger than
six.
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