Household cleaning materials and young kids do not usually mix very well - but at a community science day hosted over the past weekend in Soweto, scientists got learners hooked by doing experiments exclusively with products found in the average household storage cupboard.
The day was hosted in the Tshiawelo community by the P-STEM Foundation, a South African science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) advocacy organisation. It promotes STEM education, careers and entrepreneurship.
In the build-up to the event, the P-STEM Foundation ran STEM School Talks in various primary and secondary schools, informing almost 5 000 learners about the importance of maths and science and the need for these skills in the job market.
Overwhelming interest
Khomotso Rammala, P-STEM After School Programme Administrator, said the organisation was overwhelmed with the interest from learners.
"We expected 500 learners to attend the exhibition. But kids started queueing outside the gates even before exhibitors had a chance to finish their set-up. In the end, more than 1 500 people attended our community day.
"It was satisfying to see the community's passion for learning. And they were so shocked to discover what could be done with ordinary household chemicals. We deliberately asked exhibitors to use only materials found in the average home. It was a big surprise!"
Launching an after-school programme
The STEM Community Day also marked the start of their after school programme - a new strategy to both identify gifted learners and to help those who struggle.
Rammala said they were still processing information captured at the registration desks. Their hope is to build a community database of people interested in STEM subjects.
"We trust that all the kids who expressed interest in the after-school programme will join in once we have finalised the venue. We will monitor their academic performance, so that we can assist them where necessary."
Solid partnerships
P-STEM arranged the community day in partnership with Tsogang Sechaba Community Project with the financial backing of EMC2, a global leader in enabling businesses and service providers to transform their operations and deliver IT as a service.
Other exhibitors were Siyafunda Download Centre, Hello Tutor and Sci-Bono. At the stands learners were encouraged to engage in asking and answering questions.
Attendees were provided with resources from SKA (Square Kilometer Array), SAASTA (South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement) and SANSA (South African National Space Agency).
Jonas Bogoshi, Country Manager for EMC2 Southern Africa, said the P-STEM Community Day offers a unique opportunity to engage grassroots communities with top-level science opportunities.
"It is a privilege to be in a position to build South Africa's future capacity in these crucial fields. We are a nation of amazing problem solvers, and community days like these help inspire young minds to jump out of the box."
P-STEM has similar programmes running in Tshaulu (Venda) and Empangeni, and plans to expand to Diepsloot and North West Province.
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