The Gauteng Department of Education in partnership with Blue IQ is rolling out the biggest competition for mathematics, science, technology and entrepreneurship for high school pupils in grades eight to 10 called Smart Young Minds.
The aim of the partnership is to encourage grades eight to 10 learners to participate in engineering, mathematics, science and technology programmes while at school and preparing these learners for careers in these fields.
Each year a specially designed challenge is generated linked to the economic development of Gauteng and South Africa. Learners will now have to go and research the topic and come up with a project portfolio and ultimately a prototype of the model they wish to present. Judging is done by engineering experts and Gauteng Department of Education’s officials using a Gauteng Department of Education’s generated rubric.
It is also important to mention that the Sowetan plays a very good role in terms of media coverage for the challenge and the latest media coverage from the Sowetan was early February 2010 where the challenge was introduced to Gauteng. The stature of the challenge has grown year on year and the 2009 finals held at Vodaworld was a great success for all partners involved.
The numbers of participating schools have been increasing since 2007, when 100 institutions were targeted, reaching about 20 000 pupils. In 2008, 230 schools were targeted, reaching up to 50 000 pupils. For 2009, 350 schools were reached, touching positively the lives of at least 70 000 young people.
There is the lucrative prize money of over R100 000 to be won, additional prizes and the opportunity to market your idea. Team of industry experts, academics and scientists will assess the feasibility of the idea and assist the team in taking it to the market if they deem it viable.
The reigning champions of the challenge are:
* The Way Christian School, which was represented by Kathleen Butler, Amy Lochner, Estelle du Plooy, Pamela Cloete and Danica van der Waag.
* Willowmoore High School, which comprised Chloe Melissa Fynn, Reshen Pillay, Kaviesh Gopal, Safeega Mohamed and Zainab Karolia.
* Roshnee Secondary School, whose team was made up of Mohamed Areff, Muhammad Monga, Suhail Ismail, Himal Gangaram and Zaheer Adam.
How do I enter the competition?
You may talk to your teacher, principal, district official or Smart Young Mindz facilitator. Alternatively, you can obtain information from http://www.sym.co.za or http://www.ggda.co.za/ or http://www.gautengonline.gov.za or the Sowetan's Aggrey Klaaste Foundation at http://www.sowetan.co.za or call 011 689 1600 or fax 011 689 1655.
Issued by: Department of Education, Gauteng Provincial Government
25 February 2010
Source: Department of Education, Gauteng Provincial Government
(http://www.education.gpg.gov.za/)
