Online Platform System Announcement on SAASTA website

In 2005, the Department of Science and Technology (DST), through a consultative process involving the local science centre community, adopted the National Norms and Standards for a Network of Science Centres in South Africa. The DST lead this national campaign to build a society that is knowledgeable about science, able to form opinions about science issues and be scientifically literate. This policy framework identifies four strategic focus areas through which science centres contribute towards the envisioned society:

  • Promoting science, technology and innovation
  • Providing mathematics, science and technology education support.
  • Identifying and nurturing youth talent and potential in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
  • Providing STEM career development services.

The development of the Online Platform System for the Science Centre Network profiling and online monitoring has been concluded and live.  The online system will foster a two-way communication between science centres, open engagement, and sharing of experiences amongst themselves, members of the public, and community organisations.

The objective of the Online Platform System using the Framework for Promotion of Excellence Evaluation Criteria is to establish a National Network of Science Centres where science centres will voluntarily subject themselves to self- and peer evaluation.

Science centres are encouraged to kick-start the process. The link below will lead to the site page that will enable active engagement.

http://www.sansc.org.za/Public/Home.aspx