Grahamstown is on its way to having the first science centre in Eastern Cape.
Grahamstown is on its way to having the first science centre in Eastern Cape.
A meeting was held on Monday, led by Scifest Africa, to discuss the centre’s future plans.
The initiative will take off in three months time. Meanwhile, a proposal is being drawn up for funding the centre.
“We have taken the first step in a very long-term process by establishing a working committee,” said Vera Adams, the Director of Scifest Africa.
The working committee consists of Scifest Africa, Rhodes University, the Department of Education, Makana Municipality and various outreach projects run by Rhodes.
The idea of creating a science centre in Grahamstown was formulated several years ago by Brian Wilmott, the former director of Scifest.
“The working committee is trying to get the process going again,” Adams affirmed
First of its kind
Grahamstown is an ideal choice for a science centre because of its close proximity to large towns such as Port Elizabeth and its many existing science outreach initiatives.
These initiatives include the Mobile Science Laboratory, Albany Museum, the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) and various Rhodes University projects.
With the establishment of a science centre, these will all be brought together under one roof. The centre’s plan is to provide informal education in science, technology, engineering and maths through interactive exhibits, displays and programmes.
These institutions are a common sight in more developed countries – for example, everyone in the United Kingdom is within an hour’s drive from a science centre.
However, there are only twenty science centres in the whole of South Africa and not a single one in the Eastern Cape.
Science centre opens doors
Unlike week-long events such as Scifest Africa, the science centre would be open to all throughout the year and would include workshops and support groups.
“We need to make science awareness sustainable to target learners and teachers 365 days of the year,” Adams said.
She added that the centre will “have a good impact on science and maths,” and will “provide a resource centre both for teachers and learners in Grahamstown”.
According to Adams, the centre will also be “a massive boost for the local economy, creating jobs and skills training.” Job opportunities are in creating and manufacturing exhibits which may be used elsewhere.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Grahamstown,” said Steve Prevec, the head of the Geology Department at Rhodes.
A science centre in Grahamstown will put much-needed science education into the hands of the people of Grahamstown and the larger Eastern Cape and boost its educational facilities.
