It is the power of science and technology that drives positive change across nearly every sphere of human endeavor. An intervention in a student’s journey is crucial. It is essential to provide education, mentoring, and inspiration to a young person who dreams of becoming a scientist or inventor.
By: Lusanda Tamesi
Throughout one’s childhood, one has always wondered how one could reach the sky. What are stars made of? How can our STEM youth combat incurable diseases that could slow down the nation? Or can mother nature take the strain? And sometimes is renewable energy our future energy source?. National Science Week answers these questions by providing education, discussing, and debating issues that threaten human existence.
The National Science Week (NSW) is an annual event celebrating science, technology, and engineering that brings together students, educators, and the public at workshops, science shows, lecture series, and other programs at universities, science academies, science centres, and museums across the country. This program aims to promote STEM awareness by engaging the youth, stakeholders, and organizations.
Photo credit: Centre for Scientific Innovations and Development.
In addition to bringing awareness to the importance of science, technology, and innovation, the week is also intended to ensure that the talent of South African youth in STEM goes unrecognized. Each year a different theme is chosen and activities are offered around the theme to target audiences. This year we are offered advanced activities considering the Covid-19 pandemic with virtual programs under the theme “Making it possible through science”.
This years’ science week will start with a pre-national science week on the 30th of July as a webinar at Nelson Mandela University(NMU) focusing on ‘Artificial intelligence and 4ir in agriculture: tackling food security. Furthermore from 1-7 August is a focus week where exciting activities will commence experiencing all this from the comfort of your home from documentaries, recorded exhibitions, videos, webinars to science poetry.
-Think about listening to the next Oswald Mbuyiseni Mtshali at the science poetry
-We do know about the misinformation we get on social media about vaccines, why not attend Vaccines: everyday fears and answers a documentary that uncovers Khayelitsha-based residents on the views around Covid-19vaccination
-Go live with Prof. Thebe Medupe stargazing at Mahikeng Observatory
-Do you want to know more about the fossils that have been discovered across the African continent? , look no further as this event unpacks more fun and informing programs
You won’t want to miss this exciting event
For more enticing and breath-taking programs click www.dst.gov.za and www.saasta.ac.za to watch, be educated, and engage on scientific matters.