23 Mar 2014

Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) is collaborating with an Australian institution to stage the Science Circus Africa.  

BIUST and Questacon, Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre, are to stage a pioneering science outreach project intended to create fun through engagement in science exhibits, shows and teacher workshops in South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Malawi.

The main project is in the planning and fundraising stage, with a pilot project intended to be rolled out during March-April. Other partners to the Science Circus Africa project include the STEM Education Centre Zambia and the Malawi Science Centre Project.

The pilot project is supported by the Australian High Commissions, South Africa, and the Australian Embassy in Harare.  Science Circus Africa aims to build human capacity and catalyse development of science centres and outreach programmes in Botswana, Zambia and Malawi.

On Wednesday, March 26 BIUST will in conjunction with the Centre for Public Awareness of Science of the Australia National University, the Department of Research, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MOESD) conduct a training of trainers workshop at the BIUST campus in Palapye.

About 25 trainers drawn from primary schools, teacher training colleges and the public service will be trained on practical ways of delivering science teaching.

A science show will be conducted at the Palapye Primary School on Thursday, March 27, from 8am to 12 noon.

In the afternoon, the university will host a public science exhibition near the Engen Shopping Mall in Palapye.

This will be followed by another exhibition at Tshwaragano Primary School in Gaborone where the trained teachers will have the opportunity to showcase the skills learned from 8 am to 12 noon.

In the afternoon, the team will host a public science exhibition at the Gaborone Main Mall adjacent to President Hotel.

Some of the objectives of the Science Circus Africa initiative include nourishing and nurturing learner’s talents and creativity in science; presenting science and technology as an integral part of life in Botswana; developing quality hands on experience that stimulates, entertains and educates; providing an educational experience through participation in a science circus; making science and technology popular among the public; generating awareness regarding the socio-economic impact of science and technology on development in Botswana; instilling the scientific spirit and culture in young science learners, promoting excellence in science performance among young learners in and encouraging young learners in Botswana to pursue careers in the field of science.

The corporate community is urged to support the Science Circus Africa initiative by providing resources, including financial resources towards the successful staging of the event in Botswana.  A number of activities are lined up in the near future intended to increase the level of public awareness in science in Botswana. ENDS