Preparing learners from disadvantaged communities for the future of work through STEMI Olympiads and competitions
Background Information
The STEMI Community of Practice Conference is a biennial conference which is dedicated to the advancement of the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Innovation (STEMI) through Olympiads and Competitions in South Africa by creating a community of practice where best practices are identified and benchmarked.
The conference serves as a platform for engagements in innovative ideas that can be transformed into actions, for sharing of best practices and for collaborative problem-solving around issues pertaining to STEM education.
This is achieved by bringing Olympiad and Competition organisers, and other industry stakeholders together to present academic and non-academic research and talks to facilitate a platform for engagement between parties.
Objectives of the conference:
- 1. To positively contribute towards a STEMI-driven culture.
- 2. To create a platform for collaborative problem solving.
- 3. To act as a catalyst between people and organisations.
- 4. To facilitate the development of tools to improve the connection between science and society.
- 5. To assist in transforming innovative ideas and actions into benchmarked practices.
Who should attend the conference?
The audience for the conference comprises of STEMI Olympiads and competitions organisers and all stakeholders that have either a direct or an indirect impact on this niche, such as educators, academics, researchers, science centres, government departments, science agencies, and professional bodies. However, anyone involved or interested in science engagement is warmly welcomed to attend.
| Day 1: Tuesday, 04 July 2023: | ||||||||||
| Focus: “Skills for the future of work & Bridging the digital divide towards education without boundaries” | ||||||||||
| 09:00 – 10:00 | Arrival, Registration and Tea | |||||||||
Programme Director: Mr James Tlhabane (NRF-SAASTA) Session Scribe: Mrs Chrisna van Staden & Ms Thembi Mdlalose (NRF-SAASTA) | ||||||||||
| 10:00 – 10:05 | Welcome | |||||||||
| 10:05 – 10:20 | Overview of STEMI Community of Practice: Mr Moloko Matlala (NRF-SAASTA) | |||||||||
| 10:20 – 10:25 | Introduction of the Deputy Minister: Ms Joyce Khunou (NRF-SAASTA) | |||||||||
| 10:25 – 10:45 | Conference Opening: Deputy Minister: Higher Education, Science & Innovation, Mr Buti Manamela | |||||||||
| 10:45 – 11:05 | Message from the Managing Director NRF-SAASTA: Dr Mamoeletsi Mosia | |||||||||
| 11:05 – 11:10 | Introduction of Keynote Speaker: Programme Director | |||||||||
| 11:10 – 11:30 | Keynote Address: Professor Tebogo Mashifana: “Strategies the basic and higher education sectors should implement to equip primary and high school learners with skills for the future of work”.
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| 11:30 – 11:50 | Questions & Discussion | |||||||||
| 11:50 – 12:10 | Key Message and Objectives of the Conference Dr Sibusiso Manzini: Chief Director Human Capital & Science Promotion: DSI
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| 12:10 – 12:30 | Questions & Discussions | |||||||||
| 12:30 – 12:45 | Presentations by STEMI Olympiads and Fairs Alumni/Participants
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| 12:45 – 13:30 | Lunch Break | |||||||||
| Programme Director: Mr James Tlhabane (NRF-SAASTA) | ||||||||||
| 13:30 – 13:35 | Welcome and Session Brief | |||||||||
Room 1 Session Chair: Dr Krishnie Naidoo (ASTEMI) Session Scribe: Ms Makhanana Nkhwashu (NRF-SAASTA) | Room 2 Session chair: Mr Tebalo Tsatsi (NRF-SAASTA)
| Room 3 Session chair: Mr Gaopalelwe Santswere (NECSA) | ||||||||
| 13:35 – 14:35 | Academic: (15min)
Determinants of the intention to choose a career in the marine sciences: The role of emotional intelligence, career interest and attitude amongst high school students Dr Willie Chinyamurindi (University of Fort Hare) | Non-Academic: (15min)
Using Robotics Competitions to Advance Physics Education Dr Patricia Gouws & Professor Hugo Lotriet (University of South Africa – I-SET)
| Non-Academic: (15min)
How can a Raspberry Pi be used as a Digital Suitcase to provide schools with an internet experience? Dr Ronald Noel Beyers (Young Engineers and Scientists of Africa)
| Demonstration: (50 min)
Demonstrating how Virtual reality, Augmented reality and Robotics and coding can be applied to transform South African Education Mr Vincent Mbonye & Raeesa Ebrihim (Mancosa School of Education)
| Demonstration: (50 min)
How to use your cellphone as a tool for science or technology projects Dr Tanja Reinhardt (UKZN – Science and Technology Education Centre)
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| Discussion (15 minutes) | Discussion (10 minutes) | Discussion (10 minutes) | ||||||||
| 14:35 – 14:40 | Delegates move to different break-away rooms (5 minutes) | |||||||||
| 14:40 – 15:40 | Room 1 Session Chair: MST Mpumalanga Education Department Session Scribe: Ms Thembi Mdlalose (NRF-SAASTA) | Room 2 Session Chair: MST Free State Education Department | Room 3 Session Chair: MST Western Cape Education Department
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Academic: (15 min)
Optimising online learning in an online Mathematics Problem Solving course for primary school teachers Presenter Dr Isabel Tarling (Limina Education Services)
| Academic: (15min)
STEM Inclusivity: Challenges faced by STEM professionals when preparing learners with special education needs from South African disadvantaged communities for STEMI-related careers. Mr Rofhiwa Raselavhe (NRF-SAASTA)
| Non-Academic: (15min)
Exploring a mentorship model for skills transfer through targeted interventions: How Olympiads and Competitions can reach disadvantaged learners through science camps Mr Fredy Mashate & Dr Sure Mupezeni (Eskom Expo for Young Scientists)
| Demonstration: (50 min)
Virtual Chemistry Experiments for Schools and Olympiad Training Dr Ajay Bissessur (University of KwaZulu-Natal)
| Demonstration: (50 min)
Your First Science Fair Investigation: An online programme to develop inquiry competence through engagement in the Science Expo Facilitator: Dr Angela Stott (University of Free State)
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| Discussion (15 minutes) | Discussion (10 minutes) | Discussion (10 minutes) | ||||||||
| Delegates move to different break-away rooms (5 minutes) | ||||||||||
| 15:45 – 16:35 | Room 1 Session Chair: Mr Armstrong Mashakeni (ASTEMI) Session Scribe: Mr Gerald Maluleke (NRF-SAASTA) | Room 2 Session Chair: Ms Gugu Mtshweni (NRF-SAASTA) Session Scribe: Ms Bonolo Lekalakala (NRF-SAASTA) | Room 3 Session Chair: Mr Danie Heymans (ASTEMI)
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Non-Academic: (15 min)
Challenges in administering continuousl assessment through digital technology in quintile one schools during the COVID-19 pandemic Ms Mbali Pridy Mbonani and Dr Sammy Khoza
| Non-Academic: (15min) Do participation in STEMI Olympiads and competitions enhance inquiry learning in the curriculum and prepare learners from disadvantaged communities appropriately for the future of work? Presenter: Mr Lyndon Manas (Eskom Expo for Young Scientists) & Ms Suanne Rampou (Western Cape Department of Education) | Academic: (15min)
Diminishing the overarching idea of quadratics by teaching the short cuts when factoring the prototype quadratic expressions Dr Aubrey Sifiso Vilakazi (Ndondakusuka Secondary School) | Non-Academic: (15min) Cyber STEAM Club - A Collaborative model to prepare disadvantaged communities for the future of work through Olympiads and Competitions Presenter: Dr Tanja Reinhardt (UKZN – Science and Technology Education Centre)
| Workshop: (50 min)
MyTutor.chat, and growing the reach of Kangaroo sans Frontiere in Africa Mr Gregory Becker (MyTutor.chat)
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| Discussion on presentations (20 min) | ||||||||||
| 16:35 – 17:00 | Plenary discussions – Sharing session – Q&A: Scribes: Ms Gomolemo Lekalakala & Mr Gerald Maluleke (NRF-SAASTA) | |||||||||
| 17:00 – 17:05 | Networking Briefing: Programme Director | |||||||||
| 17:30 – 19:00 | Networking Session and Dinner | |||||||||
Day 2: Wednesday, 05 July 2023 | ||||||||||
| Focus: “Transforming the landscape through partnerships and collaborations & Volunteerism – a vehicle for sustainable growth” | ||||||||||
Programme Director: Mr Daniel Matsapola (South African National Space Agency) Scribe: Mr Gerald Maluleke (NRF-SAASTA) | ||||||||||
| 09:00 – 10:00 | Arrival, Registration and Tea | |||||||||
| 10:00 – 10:10 | Welcome and Session Brief | |||||||||
| 10:10 – 10:15 | Introduction to the Guest Speaker | |||||||||
| 10:15 – 10:40 | Guest Speaker: Dr Nehemiah Latolla: “Community Engagement as a Central Practice in STEMI Learning and Teaching” | |||||||||
Room 1 Session Chair: Dr Maria Kekana (MST Academy, Mpumalanga) Session Scribe: Ms Chrisna van Standen (NRF-SAASTA) | Room 2 Session Chair: MST Gauteng Department Education | Room 3 Session Chair: MST Limpopo Department of Education
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| 10:40 – 11:40 | Academic: (15min)
Development of knower legitimation among South African township learners during a Science Expo project planning intervention Dr Angela Stott (University of Free State)
| Non-academic: (15min)
Value and limits of volunteerism: Lessons from the South African National Geography Olympiad Prof Tracy McKay & Mr Milton Milaras (University of South Africa) | Non-academic: (15 min)
Volunteerism by mentors – Working towards self-sustainable initiatives in Olympiads and related competitions
Ms Mmabatho Moloedi
(Eskom Expo for Young Scientist) | Demonstration: (50 min)
Coding & Robotics
Mr Simba Mhandu: (University of Johannesburg)
| Demonstration: (50 min)
Science Centres capacity building workshop
How can science centres be supported to innovatively include the youth who are not in education, employment nor training, the “NEET”. Mr Felix Spies (Split Second Science Education Foundation)
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| Discussion (15 minutes) | Discussions (10 minutes) | Discussions (10 minutes) | ||||||||
| 11:40 – 11:45 | Delegates move to different break-away rooms (5 minutes) | |||||||||
| 11:45 – 12:30 | Room 1 Session Chair: MST KZN Department of Education Session Scribe: Ms Xiluva Mathebula (NRF-SAASTA) | Room 2 Session Chair: Mr Rofhiwa Raselavhe (NRF- SAASTA) Session Scribe: Ms Gomolemo Mahlangu (NRF- SAASTA)
| Room 3 Session Chair: MST Eastern Cape Department of Education Session Scribe: Ms Lufuno Mudzhigi (NRF-SAASTA)
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Non-Academic: (15min)
Self-sustainable volunteer models to support and grow Olympiads and competitions in disadvantaged communities Dr Krishnie Naidoo (Eskom Expo for Young Scientists)
| Academic: (15min)
Learner Skills Galore in Free State made possible by partners Presenter: Dr Cynthia “Xoli” Malinga (Sasol Foundation)
| Non-Academic: (15 min)
Promoting collaboration and providing opportunities to enable learners from disadvantaged and rural schools to participate in expos and other science competitions Presenter: Mr Chris McCartney (Eskom Expo for Young Scientists) & Ms Kogie Govender (South African Environmental Observation Network)
| Non-Academic: (15min)
Learner driven, Teacher Led and Partner Optimised – Exploring the STEM Club Network and its transformative impact on disadvantaged communities. Presenter: Ms Olga Peel (Cape Town Science Centre) & Mr Don Haripersad (Western Cape Department of Education)
| Non-Academic: (15 min)
How can we use partnerships and collaborations to reach disadvantaged communities so that they benefit and are prepared for STEMI related future of work? Presenter(s): Dr Stefanus Barnard (AIMSSEC) & Mr Herman Bosman (South African Mathematics Foundation) | Non-Academic: (15 min)
Towards a framework for implementing partnerships to increase participation, performance, and retention of learners from previously disadvantaged communities in STEM competitions Presenter(s): Mr Raven Motsewabangwe (Eskom Expo for Young Scientists)
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| Discussions (15 minutes) | Discussions (15 minutes) | Discussions (15 minutes) | ||||||||
| 12:30 – 13:15 | Lunch | |||||||||
| 13:15 – 13:45 | Presentations by STEMI Olympiads and Fairs Alumni/Participants | |||||||||
| Panel Discussion: What type of skills do we envisage for the future of work? | ||||||||||
| Names of panel members and their credentials: Dr N Latolla (NMU); Prof. Tebogo Mashifana; Prof S Singh | ||||||||||
| 13:45 – 14:15 | Panel Presentations | |||||||||
| 14:15 – 14:45 | Plenary discussions – Sharing session – Q&A: Scribes: Ms Lufuno Mudzhigi & Ms Bonolo Lekalakala (NRF-SAASTA) | |||||||||
| 14:45 – 14:50 | Commissions Brief: Programme Director | |||||||||
| 14:50 – 15:05 | Afternoon Tea | |||||||||
| Commissions: Break-away session | ||||||||||
| 15:05 – 17:00 | Room 1: “Skills for the future of work”
Facilitator: Mr Tebalo Tsatsi (NRF-SAASTA) Scribe: Ms Lindie Muller (NRF-SAASTA)
| Room 2: “Bridging the digital divide towards education without boundaries”
Facilitator: Mr Sivuyile Manxoyi (NRF- SAAO) Scribe: Ms Thembi Mdlalose (NRF- SAASTA)
| Room 3: “Transforming the landscape through partnerships and collaborations”
Facilitator: Mr Sizwe Khoza (NRF-SAASTA) Scribe: Ms Ndanganeni Mahani (SAIP)
| Room 4: “Volunteerism – a vehicle for sustainable growth”
Facilitator: Mr Patrick Rasehwete (SAMF) Scribe: Ms Makhanana Nkhwashu (NRF- SAASTA)
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| Day 3: Thursday, 06 July 2023 | ||
| Programme Director: Mr Parthy Chetty (Eskom Expo for Young Scientists) Session Scribes: Ms Erna Taljaard & Ms Lindie Muller | ||
| 09:00 – 09:10 | Welcome and Session Brief | |
| 09:10 – 09:15 | Keynote Speaker Introduction | |
| 09:15 – 09:40 | Keynote speaker: Professor Shawren Singh: “Empowering Communities of Practice: The Knowledge Café as a Catalyst" | |
| 09:40 – 09:55 09:55 – 10:10 | Report back on Theme 1: “Skills for the future of work” Discussion, Questions & Recommendations | |
| 10:10 – 10:25 10:25 – 10:40 | Report back on Theme 2: “Bridging the digital divide towards education without boundaries” Discussion, Questions & Recommendations | |
| 10:40 – 11:00 | Tea Break | |
| 11:00 – 11:15 11:15 – 11:30 | Report back on Theme 3: “Transforming the landscape through partnerships and collaborations” Discussion, Questions & Recommendations | |
| 11:30 – 11:45 11:45 – 12:00 | Report back on Theme 4: “Volunteerism – a vehicle for sustainable growth” Discussion, Questions & Recommendations | |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Summary of the Discussions, Recommendations & Conference Resolutions | |
| 13:00 – 13:15 | Vote of Thanks and Closure: Mr Bersan Lesch (DSI) | |
| Lunch and departure | ||
Ms. Erna Taljaard
Project Coordinator
Email : EM.Taljaard@saasta.nrf.ac.za
Call : (012) 392 9300
Mr. Simon Rametse
Project Officer
Email : S.Rametse@saasta.nrf.ac.za
Call : (012) 392 9300
Ms. Vhutshilo Nekhwalivha
Project Officer
Email : V.Nekhwalivha@saasta.nrf.ac.za
Call : (012) 392 9300
OVERVIEW
The South Africa Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) is a business unit of the National Research Foundation (NRF) with the mandate to advance public awareness, appreciation and engagement of science, engineering, innovation and technology in South Africa. Find out more
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