CASME, Eskom EXPO for Young Scientists (EXPO) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Science and Technology Education Centre (STEC@UKZN) share common visions for the improvement of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation (STEMI) in South Africa.
To this end we have conceived the Young Scientist Incubation Project (Y-SiP), to enable the realization of some of these common visions. Through Y-SiP the aim is to improve science learning outcomes for a group of black learners from township and per-urban schools, through developing their investigative and problem solving skills.
The Young Scientist Incubation Program (Y-SiP) is a combination of the following initiatives, driven by the identified partners:
The broad purpose of the Young Scientists Incubation program is to:
By establishing a model that combines learner self-directed activities, support for teacher champions working in geographical clusters and connecting extra-curricula science clubs with a network of professional scientists and education resources, Y-SiP will enable teachers to more effectively support learners to apply their scientific knowledge to produce internationally competitive scientific projects.
In its pilot phase a minimum of 4 internationally competitive EXPO projects hope to be achieved. In the implementation phase this should increase to 10.
APPROACH
The project is implemented in two phases, taking into account the current year timelines for submission of EXPO projects. The first phase will pilot and refine a model for the establishment and support of a cluster-based science club. The second phase will roll out the refined model to 3 or 4 clusters.
The project approach is for a cluster of schools to establish a science club with the aim of supporting the above objectives and drive participation in project activities.
The project partners have identified 3 potential areas in which schools will be clustered namely Clermont, KwaDabeka, Molweni. This is based on the presence of existing resources and opportunities to leverage existing relationships with schools.
ACTIVITIES
1. Project Co-ordination
CASME drives the project coordination by maintaining contact with project champions, facilitating workshops, coordinating the development of support resources and science research mentors.
2. Club and Expo Entry Support
Clubs receive a small kickstarter operating grant to cover meeting costs and incidentals.
In addition each club is eligible to enter its projects into a competitive application process for project grants. The project grant funding will cover the costs associated with finalizing learners’ projects for entry into the Regional Expo. They will be required to present a motivation and budget.
Costs covered by the project funding are:
To this end we have conceived the Young Scientist Incubation Project (Y-SiP), to enable the realization of some of these common visions. Through Y-SiP the aim is to improve science learning outcomes for a group of black learners from township and per-urban schools, through developing their investigative and problem solving skills.
The Young Scientist Incubation Program (Y-SiP) is a combination of the following initiatives, driven by the identified partners:
- Practical work lessons that focus on the prescribed practicals for Physical Sciences
- The establishment of school science clubs where interested and well performing learners undergo further support
- Learner workshops on scientific investigations and problem solving
- Learner workshops on how to apply their knowledge of investigative and problem solving skills to craft an EXPO project
- Learner participation in the “Design Squad Global” program with the intention of producing Engineering-specific projects
- The mentoring of the learners by scientists and researchers from the various fields
- The upgrading of the EXPO projects for national and international participation
The broad purpose of the Young Scientists Incubation program is to:
- Establish a model for sustainable, cluster based, extra-curricula science clubs as a permanent incubator of science talent
- Connect science clubs with a resource network to improve the quantity and quality of young scientists
- Increase the pool of black learners from township and rural schools to pursue science as a subject at the Grade 10 to 12 level and beyond.
- Increase the number of black learners participating in the Expo for Young Scientists
By establishing a model that combines learner self-directed activities, support for teacher champions working in geographical clusters and connecting extra-curricula science clubs with a network of professional scientists and education resources, Y-SiP will enable teachers to more effectively support learners to apply their scientific knowledge to produce internationally competitive scientific projects.
In its pilot phase a minimum of 4 internationally competitive EXPO projects hope to be achieved. In the implementation phase this should increase to 10.
APPROACH
The project is implemented in two phases, taking into account the current year timelines for submission of EXPO projects. The first phase will pilot and refine a model for the establishment and support of a cluster-based science club. The second phase will roll out the refined model to 3 or 4 clusters.
The project approach is for a cluster of schools to establish a science club with the aim of supporting the above objectives and drive participation in project activities.
The project partners have identified 3 potential areas in which schools will be clustered namely Clermont, KwaDabeka, Molweni. This is based on the presence of existing resources and opportunities to leverage existing relationships with schools.
ACTIVITIES
- Identify and support a champion teacher and champion learner
- Establish Science Clubs at cluster level
- Monitor and Support the Science Clubs through specialist workshops, facilitated through CASME’s Science2Go, STEC@UKZN’s Science4U and other partner institutions
- Workshop selected learners (Grade 8/9) on the scientific investigative method and problem solving skills
- Train learners on how to do a scientific project
- Identify the relevant scientists and researchers to mentor and guide learners to initiate novel research investigations
1. Project Co-ordination
CASME drives the project coordination by maintaining contact with project champions, facilitating workshops, coordinating the development of support resources and science research mentors.
2. Club and Expo Entry Support
Clubs receive a small kickstarter operating grant to cover meeting costs and incidentals.
In addition each club is eligible to enter its projects into a competitive application process for project grants. The project grant funding will cover the costs associated with finalizing learners’ projects for entry into the Regional Expo. They will be required to present a motivation and budget.
Costs covered by the project funding are:
- Materials Development
- Printing materials
- Consumables for practicals and workshops
- Transport costs for facilitators and learners
- Project coordination
- Project Grants
- Incentives