While African scientists and engineers are building a world class radio telescope (the Square Kilometre Array) in the Karoo region of the Northern Cape province, the project is also reaching out to schools in the area to boost science and mathematics teaching and learning.
On Friday 25 February 2011, the Minister of Science and Technology, Ms Naledi Pandor, will officially launch two new laboratories at Carnarvon High School, a computer and a science laboratory. She will be accompanied by the Premier of the Northern Cape, Ms Hazel Jenkins.
The small town of Carnarvon is near the area that has been selected as a potential site to build the core of the world’s largest radio telescope, the Square Kilometre Array. While the international radio astronomy community has yet to decide whether this mega science instrument will be built in Southern Africa or in Australia, South Africans are already constructing a precursor telescope called the MeerKAT telescope, outside the town. An engineering prototype for MeerKAT – called KAT-7 and consisting of seven radio dishes – is already complete.
The SKA South Africa project has committed itself to helping to build up educational resources in the area, forming partnerships with the private sector to support local schools and working closely with the Northern Cape Department of Education. The opening of the two new laboratories at a local high school is part of an ongoing process to create a climate where young people of nearby towns, especially Carnarvon and Williston, can engage with science and technology and explore the potential of the SKA project.
A donation of R750 000 from the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa was used to build and equip the computer laboratory at Carnarvon High, while software and training were obtained from Learn Things, Mindset and Microsoft. The new “cyberlab” now boasts 43 desktop computers, a laptop, an interactive white board and a printer, as well as an internet connection.
Optic 1, which built the high voltage power cable and optical fibre cable from Carnarvon to the telescope site donated R50 000, which secured new equipment for the science laboratory at Carnarvon High, as well as for laboratories at two nearby primary schools. The Embassy of the USA has donated R50 000 for a reading room.
The SKA SA facilitated the employment of three qualified teachers for the Carnarvon High School, to teach maths, science and information technology (IT).
The SKA South Africa Project also funds tertiary students, ranging from artisan apprentices and technicians to university students at all levels. To date, 293 students have benefited from SKA South Africa bursaries and scholarships, including many students from other African countries. Bursaries go to physics and engineering students and a special effort is made to attract women and black students to these fields. There are also bursaries for technician training. Support for artisan training focuses on bringing students from the towns near the telescope site to study at the Northern Cape Further Education and Training Urban College in Kimberley.
During site visits to the Northern Cape, bursars get the opportunity to participate in educational outreach activities designed to excite the learners about the leading role that their province is playing in the future of astronomy in South Africa, Africa and the world.
Find out more at http://www.ska.ac.za
Media enquiries:
Marina Jouber
E-mail: marina@southernscience.co.za
Lunga Ngqengelele
Ministerial Spokesperson
Tel: 012 843 6802
Cell: 082 566 0446
E-mail: lunga.ngqengelele@dst.gov.za
