South African Grade 9 learners have not been performing well in international benchmarking studies. In the 2019 TIMSS (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study) South Africa scored the lowest in the science test. Enrolments for Mathematics and Physical Sciences in Grade 10 are also steadily decreasing. This is particularly true in the lower quintile schools where learner performance in Physical Sciences is also generally poor.
With this in mind, the Science2Go project in the Western Cape, funded by the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT) was launched in January 2022 aimed at stimulating an interest in science at an early age by capacitating, motivating and supporting teachers to do hands-on scientific investigations in the classroom and providing the necessary resources required.
Western Cape Education Department welcomed this initiative and identified 15 schools across five education districts which could benefit from such an initiative: – five primary schools and 4 high schools in the Metro Central and Metro South districts, one primary and one high school in Grabouw in the Overberg district, one primary and one high school in Malmesbury in the West Coast district and one combined school located in Ashton in the Cape Winelands district.
Number of beneficiaries reached since start
Since the start, 40 of the approximately 45 Grade 6 – 9 Natural Sciences teachers in the project schools have participated in the programme. Either through direct contact with the facilitator or, with the teachers using equipment borrowed from the project , over 2500 learners of the approximately 6600 learners in these grades per year have engaged in hands-on practical work. In addition more than 300 learners have participated in coding activities presented by the project.
Model/ Approach
Since the aim is to stimulate an interest among learners at an early age, the primary beneficiaries of the project are Grade 6 – Grade 9 Natural Science teachers. Teacher workshops are held once per term (terms 1 – 3) in which the theory related to selected Natural Science practical activities is discussed, including a focus on common misconceptions. Teachers then work through the activities themselves, followed by a reflection on how the activities could be implemented in their school contexts. In the second year, teacher workshops on coding were also presented.
To support the teachers to do these practicals with their learners, a project facilitator and assistant go into the schools after each workshop with all the equipment required. The facilitator will either do a demonstration lesson, co-facilitate the lesson with the teacher or observe the lesson taught by the teacher. At the end of the lesson the teacher then also has a CAPS aligned practical activity which can be used for formal assessment purposes.
To further motivate learners, schools in the project were encouraged to establish science clubs which are linked to the Cape Town Science Centre STEM club network. Through the network they receive guidance on how to run a club and are given kits which contain a number of interesting activities. The project supports the clubs by running coding sessions once per term.
Learners from the different schools also compete in an annual competition which focuses on scientific investigations, coding and problem solving which culminates in an award ceremony held at the Cape Town Science Centre.
Implementation period
This is a three-year project with the possibility of extending it for a further two years.
Key stakeholders
The key stakeholders are the SAMCT, WCED, project schools, Grade 6 – 9 Natural Sciences Teachers and Grade 6 to 9 learners.
Number of beneficiaries reached since the start
Since the start, 40 of the approximately 45 Grade 6 – 9 Natural Sciences teachers in the project schools have participated in the programme. Either through direct contact with the facilitator or, with the teachers using equipment borrowed from the project, over 2500 learners of the approximately 6600 learners in these grades per year have engaged in hands-on practical work. In addition more than 300 learners have participated in coding activities presented by the project.
Target number of beneficiaries
Approximately 45 teachers and the total number of learners in Grade 6-9 over 2023 was 6673.
Achievements
Improvement in teachers’ content knowledge.
A number of teachers are now able to confidently conduct practical lessons.
Learners are developing scientific investigation knowledge and skills.
Learners have used equipment such as thermometers, ammeters, voltmeters for the first time.
Teachers and learners have engaged in block -based coding activities and developing computational thinking and problem-solving skills.
STEM clubs have been established.
Inspiration to beneficiaries
Almost every learner actively participates in the practical lessons with great enthusiasm.
The coding sessions produced great excitement among learners.
Performing well in the competition instils a sense of pride.
Funding invested
The funding for the project is R920 000-00