Marula oil is extracted fromthe kernels (nuts) of the fruits

of the Marula trees(Sclerocarya birrea), from theAnacardiaceae family. Thereare two types of Marula oil,the oil extracted from the

seeds and the oil extractedfrom the nut's hard shell.Marula oil is traditionally

used in cosmetics, in food asa cooking oil and as a meat

preservative and to treatleather.

Palabora FoundationNewsletter incorporating Youth into Science, Science Festivals, Competitions & Olympiads

The African word, Khoroni, refers to a placewithin a chief’s kraal (a village of huts) where

Community discussions are held.

In this issue…

KhoroniKhoroniKhoroniKhoroniVolume 4 No. 16 August 2016

Supported by

Palabora Foundation goes nuts in NSW …. 1

NSW Celebrations at Joburg City Park …..… 2

KZN SC says NSW not just for scientists…... 3

UKZN Breakfast at Sithokozile SC ………………. 4

Osizweni supports Eskom Expo ……….…….… 5

DST celebrates Women’s Month @ Unizulu 6

Zulfest ………………………..…………………………… 7

SKA SA student heads to Princeton……..…... 8

Another Bronze for South Africa …………..….. 9

Winning in Bray ……………….……….………………. 10

Cape Town SC breaks records for NSW..…... 11

Sibo moves into science centres ……………... 12

“Science & Public Engagement” course.…..…. 12

Look out for thesecond issue ofthe “KhoroniInternational”

included with thisnewsletter!

Palabora Foundationgoes nuts during National Science Week! By Norman Moshokoa

Phalaborwa is home to the Marula tree and theproduction of oil from Marula nuts is veryimportant around the area of Ba-Phalaborwa. InMakhushane Village, an IKS workshop waspresented to members of the public with theintention of educating people so that they canparticipate in supplying the cooperatives with nutsin order to earn some income.Leboneng and Rixile education centres hosted learnersfrom the deep rural town of Ba-Phalaborwa, where theyreceived information about different careers in STEMI,and the process that needs to be followed in order toenrol at higher education and training institutions.Learners also had the opportunity to interact withqualified professionals from local industries.

Science experiments were conducted for Grade 10 toGrade 12 learners. About 600 learners from the localhigh schools attended laboratory practical activities.Snell’s Law was one of the experiments performed bylearners. Doing this experiment greatly excited thelearners as it was first time that some of them had, notonly held apparatus, but also used apparatus to conductan investigation (this was mostly learners from ruralareas). This activity helped them to understand how lighttravels. They also got the opportunity to verify the Lawof Refraction. This activity was very important to thelearners in that they were able to observe record andcommunicate their findings. Writing a laboratory reportalso formed part of the activity.

Members of public including learners from schools inthe local area gathered on Lulekani and Namakgalesports fields for sky viewing using a telescope.Wonderful to see how excited the kids were after viewingthe night skies (see below).

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The Department ofScience andTechnologythrough the South

African Agency ofScience and

TechnologyAdvancement in

partnership withJohannesburg City Parks and

Zoo celebrated National ScienceWeek 2016 at Johannesburg Botanical Garden, Leratong Park,Sebetsa-o-Tholemaputso Secondary School, shopping malls,taxi ranks and various parks. A total of 3438 general public and1264 learners were reached.

Learners were awed as they experienced thunder and lightning andmany more experiments when Barry Meyers introduced them to theexciting world of science. The excitement and enthusiasm for scienceamongst learners and community members was displayed during theirparticipation in sustainable energy activities such as making a waterturbine, pinwheel turbine, designing a solar toy car, making athermometer, solar bottle bulb, water purification, solar cooker from apizza box, propagation of succulents and calculating cost savings ofhaving an organic food garden.

We were graced with the presence of exhibitors from the followingorganisations, Zondi Buy Back Centre Recycling, Joburg Water, RandWater, Friends of Free Wildlife, Ditlou Greentech, Friends of Kloofendal,Ukhamba Development Projects, Sangari South Africa, City ofJohannesburg, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries,Environmental Health, Eskom, South African National BiodiversityInstitute and Greenpeace Africa to further stimulate interest andenthusiasm of science amongst all participants.

Lorenco Sibambo an ex grade 12 pupil of the class of 2015 fromSebetsa-o-Tholemaputso received 100% in Physical Science and 99% inMathematics in the 2015 Grade 12 exams gave an inspiring talk tolearners and motivated them to believe in themselves and work hard toachieve success.

In Leratong Park, 500 fruit trees were distributed to community. Wewere privileged to have Johanathan Lemming, author and professionalspeaker on Sustainable Development allaying fears of venomous animalsamongst community members.

The day concluded with Prof. Suprakas Sinha Ray a chief researcher andDirector of the DST-CSIR National Centre for Nanostructured Materialsdemystifying science for community members.

NSW Celebrations at Johannesburg City Parks and ZooNSW Celebrations at Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo

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~by Sinah Magolo

The KZN Science Centre(KZNSC) was once again a

proud implementing partner forNational Science Week held from

the 6 - 13�� August 2016. This weekdedicated to science awareness, is an

initiative of the DST and a country widecelebration of all things science involving

various stakeholders collaborating under one theme.

The 2016 theme of “Science for Sustainable Development and Improved Quality of Life”,saw the team set up mobile science stations at shopping centres around eThekwini.The mobile stations fully embellished with NSW branding, served as an informationhub where public, unfamiliar with science, were engaged. The one-on-one interactionsof the KZNSC team with public citizens created a platform for science dialogue andassisted in removing the stigma that science is daunting. The innovative side of thesubject was translated through interactive activities and demonstrations set up atthese stations.

But the public were not the only beneficiaries of the KZNSC’s programme for the week. Schools in the Umlazi, Pinetown andiLembe districts were visited by our outreach vehicles. Learners participated in captivating science experiments and workshopsshed light on the various ways in which science can be used to create a more self-sustainable and friendly environment forpeople and animals to preserve Earth.

“As one of the biggest stakeholders for NSW in the province, we were delighted to once again partner with the DST andNRF/SAASTA for this stimulating initiative, making science alive for the public and learners of the eThekwini” said Acting ChiefExecutive Officer Nazley Giquel.

NSW - Not just for Scientists - For

Everyone!

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4

Breakfast atSithokozile Secondarywith East Coast Radio

On a clear winter morning UKZN Science CentreCoordinator Dr Tanja Reinhardt (aka ‘Dr T’) loaded upher mobile science lab, ‘Science4U’, and headed for hills

– in particular, to the grounds of Sithokozile SecondarySchool in KwaDabeka. She was joining the Centre forthe Advancement of Mathematics and ScienceEduucation (CASME), Engineering firm Mahle Behr SAand East Coast Radio for a fun morning of Science andEngineering.

In keeping with Women’s Month, the aim of the outing was to increase the participation of girls in the fields of science, technology,engineering and mathematics (STEM).

An enthusiastic group of learners were at the school from 06h00 to join in the activities. These included building radiators, launchingrockets, a special science-themed East Coast Radio ‘Grand Challenge’ (‘How many bones do sharks have in their bodies? Why none, ofcourse!), and a much anticipated science show from the renowned ‘Dr T’.

Learners at the school and East Coast Radio listeners were treated to UKZN postdoctoral scientist Dr Adriana Marais, who shared herpassion for science and her determination to travel to Mars. She is one of the one hundred remaining candidates for the planned 2027Mars One Mission.

‘It is vital for school pupils to learn more about subject choices at an early age, and be exposed to post-school study opportunities in science,

UKZN Science Centre Coordinator Dr Tanja Reinhardt wows the pupils of Sithokozile Secondarywith assistance from Phume Mlaba of Mahle Behr SA and East Coast Radio.

~ by Sally Frost

At UKZN, National Science Week2016 was celebrated in style.

Firstly, local school pupils enjoyed access to a fun-filled week ofscientific activities run by the Science and Technology EducationCentre (STEC@UKZN) on the Westville campus.

Staff went the extra mile to keep the 200 Grade 10 and Grade 11pupils wowed by the whole spectrum of scientific wonders availableat UKZN.

Accommodating some 70 learners a day, the programme offered anarray of hands-on fun that covered scientific disciplines such aselectrical engineering, statistics, computer science, biochemistry,microbiology, chemistry, physics, biology and geology.

As phase two of the week’s campaign, the College organised thehighly successful Great UKZN Science Show-Off, aimed at the wholefamily. This science show saw the famous ‘Dr G’ - aka Dr Megan Govender; ‘Dr T’ – aka Tanja Reinhardt and Mr Ajay Bissessur battle it outon the scientific stage. Their scientific tricks, treats, whooshes and bangs kept the audience wowed and amazed.

Ever want to make a fire tornado? Or a volcano? Or stab a straw through a potato? Or find out just how smelly chemicals can really be?The three scientists made sure that they offered something for everyone as they brought the magic of science to life.

National Science Week is celebrated every year during the first week ofAugust. A Department of Science and Technology initiative run inpartnership with public and private institutions, it aims to further thepublic’s understanding of Science and to advance Science and Technologywithin South Africa.

Left: ‘Dr T’ demonstrates the principles of fire.

Above: Kingsway High School learners test for the presence ofcarbohydrates and proteins in UKZN’s biochemistry labs duringNational Science Week 2016.

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Chana Dunn Best project Grade 5 - 7Laërskool Kruinpark Project title: The Bully Buster.

Eskom Expo for Young Scientists is a Science fair where learnersare given the opportunity to showcase their scientific investigations.This year’s regional event held at the Lillian Ngoyi Centre in Secundaon 13 August 2016, brought together schools from MpumalangaHighveld with a total of 127 project entries.

The expo’s mission is to develop young Scientists who are able toidentify a problem, analyse information, find solutions andcommunicate findings effectively. Osizweni aims to producelearners with quality Grade 12 results who are able to followScience, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation(STEMI) related career. By partnering with the Expo, Osizweni isone step closer to reaching its goals each year.

A unique element to the regional expo is the Mathematics andScience activities hosted by Osizweni that form part of theprogramme. Children are stimulated during their free time betweenjudging of their projects through the exploration of inter-activeexhibits and a Science Show.

This year’s Osizweni prestigious awards were awarded to thefollowing learners:

Chana Dunn Best project Grade 5 - 7Laërskool Kruinpark Project title: The Bully Buster.Cronje Fourie Best project Grade 8 - 9Hoërskool Hoogenhout Project title: From grey water todrinking water.Nabeelah Bahadur Best project Grade 10 -12High School Secunda Project title: ELAH, an innovative takeon the school bag.

We are proud to announce that Bill Takura and LindokuhleShabangu, Osizweni Project A learners from KiriyatswaneSecondary School were awarded the Best Renewable EnergyProject by Eskom and will also compete at the national level of thecompetition in October.

“Eskom Expo for young Scientists is a great initiative that assists tocultivate an investigative and research culture in our youth. Itassists in developing our youth into inspired and motivated go-getters who will venture into STEMI careers and continue to studybeyond Master’s level.” Said Angela Stratford, Marketing and PRPractitioner at Osizweni.

Bill Takura and Lindokuhle Shabangu, Grade 10Project A learners from Kiriyatswane Secondary School,were awarded Best Renewable Energy by Eskom.

Cronje Fourie Best project Grade 8 - 9Hoërskool Hoogenhout Project title: From grey water to drinking water.

Nabeelah Bahadur Best project Grade 10 -12High School Secunda Project title: ELAH, an innovative take on the school bag.

Osizweni supports the regionalEskom Expo for Young ScientistsOsizweni supports the regionalEskom Expo for Young Scientists

~ by Angela Stratford

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~ by Chris Harris (US Peace Corps)

On August 18�� of this year, the UnizuluScience Centre in collaboration with theDepartment of Science and Technology

(DST) launched a girls-in-science event which brought 60 girls from three different schools for a day of scienceand empowerment at the Unizulu Science Centre.The day started on a serious note, as Director Derek Fish gave a talk on Marie Curie and related some of her strugglesas a female in science to some the girls might be facing. But then it moved to a high note when the girls franticallybuzzed through the Science Centre searching for the answers to a list of science and career questions.The energy and verve continued to grow as MJ Schwartz presented his astronomy science show with his distinctivepanache, humour, and flavour. The Grade 11 girls screamed and laughed as MJ exploded a hydrogen balloon intoa glowing ball of fire. But then the day moved to a poignant and solemn note as female science graduates discussedsome of their struggles at university, providing some realistic expectations for the students as they prepare toembark upon their next academic journey.Thanks to the generosity of the DST and the strong coordination and execution of the Unizulu Science Centre, these60 Grade 11 girls won’t soon forget the lessons they learned from this tremendous event, and will hear the motifsfrom the day’s song echoing in their minds as they continue their respective studies. Look out for the “Girls ofTomorrow” Workshop at the SAASTEC Conference!

Derek Fish encourages girl-learners with thestory of Marie Curie.

Increasingly, Science Centres are reaching out to the public by interacting in malls. This is a very popular wayof getting information across to the general public - especially if it is done in an interesting and innovative

manner. The last day of the Zulfest was held in the local mall in Richard’s Bay. Literally thousands of peoplestopped and gawked, or interacted, and felt quite comportable asking questions or joing in. Much fun was

had by all!

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7

The University of Zululand Science Centre submerged itself intothe world of tinkering and making with its 2016 science festival,ZulFest.ZulFest, the Zululand Science Festival, is becoming the premier science festival inKwa-Zulu Natal. Launched in 2015 by the UniZulu Science Centre, it is currently theonly science festival in operation within Zululand. The theme for Zulfest 2016 was

“Science in the Making”. It was based on the global movement of tinkering whichhas become an international phenomenon. The festival showcased the best ofnational and international presenters, offering a wide range of activities fromworkshops and science shows to women empowerment programmes. The festivalhad presenters from the USA, Japan and India as well as from all over South Africa.ZulFest 2016 reached over 5300 people during the festival, seeing almost 2000more people than in ZulFest 2015. The University of Zululand would like to thankall the contributors that made ZulFest 2016 possible and look forward to seeingyou all again for ZulFest 2017!Should you wish to know more about ZulFest please contact:MJ Schwartz Email: mj.scienceguy@gmail.com Tel.: 035 797 3204

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Ms Heather Prince, an astronomy postgraduate student in the Astrophysicsand Cosmology Research Unit (ACRU) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal(UKZN) has been accepted to study a PhD degree in Astrophysical Sciences atPrinceton University. She joins the prestigious institution's Department ofAstrophysical Sciences in September this year.SKA South Africa provided Prince with a grant to complete her Masters degree inastrophysics, which she received from UKZN in April this year. Her research focused ongravitational lensing of the relic Cosmic Microwave Background light from the Big Bangand intensity mapping of light emitted by neutral hydrogen. Prince also studied whatcould be learned from combining observations of both these cosmic probes.

Gravitational lensing occurs when light is refracted or bent when travelling throughportions of outer space. It is a phenomenon, which helps astronomers understand how matter is distributed throughout theUniverse. Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the Universe, and neutral hydrogen atoms emit light with a wavelengthof 21 centimetres. Intensity mapping of neutral hydrogen is an observational method that allows astronomers to study howneutral hydrogen is distributed in the Universe. Prince's research will form the basis for two research papers.

As a SKA South Africa bursary holder while completing her Masters degree, SKA South Africa sponsored her visit to PrincetonUniversity from 10 to 30 July 2015. After completing her PhD at Princeton, she plans to return to South Africa to continue hercareer by focusing on astronomy research and academia at a South African university.

Prince expressed her excitement about being accepted to study at Princeton University. "It is a dream come true to be ableto study at Princeton and learn from the leading scientists in my field, in a department where top researchers from all overthe world come to give talks and to visit. I am so excited about the opportunities that I will have to learn more and to becomea world class researcher," she said.Prince is very passionate about her studies and this has motivated her to work diligently. As a result, she has received numerousaccolades during her academic career including the Rhodes University Foundation Scholarship (awarded to the top studentgraduating with a Bachelor's degree from Rhodes University), the Vincent Maphai Scholarship (awarded to the top-rankedMasters student at UKZN based on Honours results) and a bursary from the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) South Africaorganisation.

When questioned about what she will miss about studying in South Africa, Prince replied, "I will miss the people at ACRU. Mysupervisor and the rest of the staff, students and postdoctoral researchers have created a really great, friendly learningenvironment and I will be sad to leave that! I also really enjoyed the international environment at ACRU, with people frommany different countries. I am especially grateful to SKA South Africa for providing me with support and funding for my Mastersdegree."Mr Strini Rajgopaul, Astrophysics and Cosmology Research Unit, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), August 24, 2016

Contact: Ms Heather Prince ~ Email: heather.prince1@gmail.com ~ Astrophysics and Cosmology Research Unit, UKZN

SKA South Africa sponsored studentheads to Princeton for PhD

UKZN CelebratingNational Science Week

in style!

8

5

While all the attention was on South Africanswinning medals at the Olympic Games in Rio,South Africa won another two BronzeMedals:  this time at the InternationalOlympiad in Informatics. The medals werewon by Ulrik de Muelenaere fromGauteng and Yaseen Mowzer from theWestern Cape.

The International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI) is anannual competition which sets the brightest youngcomputer programmers from across the world tocompete as individuals against each other.  This year thecontest was held in Kazan, Russia and was attended by thebest young programmers from 86 countries.

The South African team consisted of four members – all finalistsin the 2015 Standard Bank Programming Olympiad whoquaIified for the international team after additional training:

Ulrik de Muelenaere was in Grade 12 at Waterkloof High inPretoria when he won the South African ProgrammingOlympiad.  Ulrik was also a member of the South African teamto go to IOI 2015 and won a Bronze Medal there.

Yaseen Mowzer is currently in Grade 12 at Fairbairn College inthe Western Cape.  He also won a Bronze Medal at IOI 2015 inKazakhstan and similar at the International MathematicsOlympiad earlier this year.  He is eligible to compete in the IOIin 2017 again.

Bronson Rudner is currently in Grade 12 at SACS in the WesternCape and can also compete again next year.  IOI 2016 inspiredhim:  “It has motivated me to practice hard for IOI 2017 nextyear.”

Laurens Weyn was in Grade 12 at Abbotts College, Century Citywhen he was selected to join the IOI team.

The team leaders were Robert Spencer and Robin Visser bothpast Standard Bank Programming Olympiad winners andinternational participants.

“The problems were quite difficult this year.  The contest itselfwas very tight and exciting with Ulrich de Muelenaeremaking a submission at the last moment that boosted hisscore into bronze status” reports team leader Robert Spencer.

It was not all work.   “We were able to see many sights inKazan, including the Kazan Kremlin”, added Robin Visser,deputy leader of the delegation.

Explained Peter Waker, the Manager of the Standard BankProgramming Olympiad:  “The IOI is extremely tough.    Inmany countries teams are in special schools where theyreceive dedicated training to prepare them for the IOI.   Allour team members come from ordinary schools yet doextremely well each year.  To give you some idea;  our team

member who was lowest in the SouthAfrican team still beat the entire teamsfrom Nigeria, Luxembourg and Sri Lanka.”

For more information:www.olympiad.org.za / info@olympiad.org.zaor contact 021-448-7864.Media release by:Peter Waker, Manager: Computer Olympiad

Yaseen Mowzer and Ulrik de Muelenaere

IOI DelegationBack row:       Robin Visser (Deputy Team Leader)                        Ulrik de Muelenaere                        Robert Spencer (Team Leader)Front row:      Laurens Weyn                        Yaseen Mowzer                        Bronson Rudner

Another Two Bronze for South Africa

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It is kind of fitting and appropriate that the first collaboration between MothibistadScience Centre and Edutrade, a brand of Lasec SA, should happen in a town like Bray

- where the donkey is king, but the town comes alive in July with a horse race!Through the Corporate Social Investment of ATNS at the Bray Intermediate School, North WestProvince, we were able to launch our first collaborative project. With the involvement ofMr Makhado, district inspector Department of Education NW, Edutrade specialist trainersDoug Nel and Bronia Vollebregt, as well as Chrisencia Moatshe, manager of MothibistadScience Centre, we presented practical experiment training to 12 educators from 7 schoolswithin a 150km radius of Bray.

Our collaboration business model involves engaging with corporates to secure funding for theimplementation of impactful education in the S.T.E.M subjects. In our joint proposals wepresent a budget for lab furniture, science kits (responsibility of, and income for Lasec)educator training and visits to the Science Centre or mobile unit activation to the remoteschools (responsibility of, and income for SC). The budgets are jointly agreed to following ananalysis and needs assessment done at the school, and take into account the CSI budget ofthe donor.

We experienced true dedication and a high level of skill and knowledge with 100% participation.It is through these energetic, enthusiastic interventions that we can impact   on scienceeducation through providing educators with confidence when conducting practical hands on activities in the classrooms.

Chrisencia extended an open invitation to the teachers to bring their scholars to her interactive centre near Kuruman for a day of “ScienceAlive” and a curriculum based workshop for learners and educators. Through this collaboration we also entrenched the use of resourcesprovided by SAASTA, through personally connecting Mothibistad SC to teachers in the very rural areas. They will all be connected via ournewsletters and forums in the future. Chat groups should be a natural progression of this process.

Lasec SA Educational brand, Edutrade, believes that a CSI partnership to achieve responsible, accountable, sustainable solutions will createa value circle with economic benefits to the country, socio upliftment for the people and accountable spend with monitored results fordonors/corporates. We proudly partner with the Science Centres and corporates to achieve this.

The race to create an impact on science education was won in Bray….whilst the donkeys slowly continued walking in the red sand of theKalahari . ~ by Carol Annandale (Contact: carol.annandale@lasec.co.za)

Winning in BrayWinning in Bray Some responses from theteachers on what they

liked best:“The presentations were goodand the strategy used to involve

educators in the programme.”

“Sharing. Good Practice.Simplifying the theory into

practical work.”

“Knowing equipment was aproblem at first but after theworkshop I can use them with

eyes closed.”

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National Science Week (NSW) 2016 was a remarkable success at the Cape Town Science Centre.Our implementation dates were the 8��, 9�� and 13�� August where we saw over 4000 visitors in three days –4197 members of the general public, 640 learners and 37 teachers to be exact; a record breaking achievement.In promotion of the NSW theme, “Science for Sustainable Development and Improved Quality of Life”, theCentre publicised three public free days which aided in the reduction of inequality and lack of accessibility forthe Capetonians and were filled with various inspirational activities.

The CTSC team always looks forward to NSW as it is a time where the general public is more receptive to learningand participating in the science centre activities and also it is an opportunity to inform them about the DST andSAASTA supported initiatives, goals and objectives. This year was extra special because we saw audiences fromall the rainbow colours, young and old and also found ourselves trebling most of the advertised activities dueto demand.

Through partnerships with other Non-Governmental Organisations, our activities varied from talks aboutaffordable and clean energy; to demonstrations that promoted good health and well being which entailedhealthy cooking and enabled visitors to learn how to grow their own food. The building block on life on thisland was discovered through hands-on workshops like DNA extraction from wheat germ and building aTerrarium which depicted a closed system garden.

Cade, a young visitor that attended one of the free days sent us feedback from the grow a bean workshops, “Ihad so much fun... see how they grew! Big thanks.” (See pics of how his bean grew on the right.)

CTSC has a strong foundation of quality education which our visitors observed through our Planetarium andexplosive Science Shows. They also had the opportunity to explore science and interact with more than 200hands-on exhibits whilst the Gyroscope and Centripetal Swing enjoyed endless queues.

Busisiwe Maqubela, CTSC COO added that, “NSW was a true demonstration of TEAM work for the CTSC, a timeto push our NYS volunteers and venues beyond boundaries to ensure that the public was aware, appreciatedand engaged with Science.” We thank the DST/SAASTA for the opportunity to be involved in this year’s eventsand the ongoing support in general.

The Centre also hosted Coding workshops in preparation of the upcoming Africa Code Week, 15 -23 Octoberwhich enabled visitors to be exposed to a whole new digital language and express themselves in the 21st century.The digital skills gap is widening while coding has the power to put millions of youth on the path to decent workand economic growth.

Issued by: Gabi van Niekerk. The Cape Town Science Centre, 370B Main Road, Observatory,

Cape Town Science Centre reaches record breaking visitor numbers during NSW !

11

Editor : Ginny Stone Email: squigglez@telkomsa.net Fax 086 242 2187 Website: http://www.saastec.co.za Please send articles by 25th September 2016.

The 18�� SAASTEC Conferencewill be held at

UniZulu Science Centrefrom the

7-10�� November 2016If you have not already done so -

please register now to still enjoy early-bird fees.To register for the conference go to:

http://conferences.saastec.co.zaMore details available on the website www.saastec.co.za

Interested in Master’s studies in the field of“Science and Public Engagement”?

This is a new specialisation option on offer in the MPhil (STS) programme at StellenboschUniversity, South Africa.

Our modular programme makes it possible to combine work and study, and spread yourstudies over 2 – 3 years.

Download the brochure at http://bit.ly/2b6lrcE and scroll to page 6 to see the relevantmodules. Apply by 30 September 2016 – details on page 9.

Marina JoubertCREST (Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology)Stellenbosch University, South Africa

Joburg City Parks used Sibo on the Move asprizes during NSW. Kogie Govender snappedthe pic below - these Grade 8 learners seem

to be enjoying the book as much as theGrade 2’s (above) did on the Gautrain.

Sibo moves into SC’sGautrain commissioned and sponsored 10,000 copies of the story book “Sibo on theMove”. 6000 of those were distributed equally amongst all the South African sciencecentres. The topic of the book… apart from the history of the Gautrain and how the systemworks - is etiquette whilst using public transport. In a nutshell - a book about manners!

Most of the learners that visit science centres are bused in and it’s not a bad thing toremind everybody that there are certain rules to adhere to whilst using public transport.Of course, the Gautrain is also very cool! The story revolves around Sibo’s class going ona trip to the Zoo. (Yes - our own NZG - I try to incorporate the science centres into thebooks whenever possible.) Obviously they use the Gautrain System to get to the zoo.

The science centres all got their books a couple of months ago - and many of them usedthe books as give-aways during National Science Week. Some centres are saving theirbooks for October - transport month.

Gautrain themselves launched the book on September, 8th 2016 - International LiteracyDay. Peter Sanderson from Lets Look Publishers and I were privileged to be invited toshare this launch with 15 gorgeous Grade 2 learners from Cresslawn Primary school.These delightful children got to basically enact the story in the book - except theirdestination was not the zoo, it was Exclusive Books in Rosebank. They were all given theirvery own gold card and had immense fun using the Gautrain system. The kids were dividedinto groups of three and were allocated a dedicated Gautrain staff member to look afterthem. When asked what they wanted to do when they grow up - there were a couple ofdoctors, one astronaut, a nurse, a rugby player, several policemen and of course, afterhearing from Siphiso - one of the staff that has been borrowed for the day - many wantedto be Gautrain drivers! And yes - girls can (and do) drive the Gautrain too. We all stressedthe importance of taking maths and science right up to matric in order to be able to followtheir choice of career path.

This book and Sibo Looks Right are freely available on http://www.sibo.co.za for anyoneto read. ~ Ginny Stone