ICGEB Cape Town participated in the launch of South African National Science Month at the Vaal University of Technology in Sebokeng on Saturday, 4 July, celebrating the start of monthlong activities focussed on STEM.
Evolving from the legacy of National Science Week (NSW), the inaugural National Science Month (NSM) is a flagship South African initiative that places science and innovation at the centre of society and brings it closer to everyday South Africans. The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and its implementing entity, the National Research Foundation’s South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (NRF-SAASTA) have been at the centre of coordinating the initiative since 2000 for voluntary participation by South Africans.
NSM replaces the traditional NSW as South Africa’s premier science engagement programme, designed to showcase the key role of science, technology and innovation. As explained by DSTI, ‘National Science Month is also intended to support the DSTI’s efforts to increase public understanding of the everyday value of science and to encourage more young people to study science and pursue careers as scientists, researchers and innovators’.
As a strong supporter of encouraging careers in STEM and a longstanding participating organisation and partner at the launch, ICGEB Cape Town researchers, Dupe Ojo (Bioinformatics) and Mariet Wium (Cancer Genomics) ran a hands-on Foldscope workshop, bringing the ‘magic’ of the paper microscope to the exhibition, with more than 1,000 learners, their life sciences teachers, and the public in attendance.
Celebrating the science month focus, the Component will also participate in other activities aimed at bridging the gap between science and society. As part of the ICGEB Cape Town School Outreach Programme, the Component will host hosted learners from Heideveld Secondary School for a full day of hands-on science at the Component.
ICGEB continues to promote a culture of effective scientific communication and outreach through science for citizens, science education in schools, and participation in Science Festivals, with the Cape Town Component championing science engagement activities in South Africa and across the continent.
