National Science Week

Hello!

It's been too long since I've posted here. From most of the 2nd term this year, (March-June), things were pretty slow going and I didn't have much to report. However, since being back from break, things have been a whirlwind. Liz has already mentioned how we spend a week at the Pre-Service Training for the next group of education volunteers in South Africa and that was really a lot of fun to do that. I return later this week to participate even further. She has also mentioned that the very next day after that we participated in the Rustenberg Mountain Race which was also enjoyable. As enjoyable as these things were however, they were also tiring. Participating in training involves long hours and the race is tiring for all more obvious reasons.

Upon returning, my storm had still not ended. At the beginning of the term, I was invited to attend a meeting regarding National Science Week. Although the celebration is nationwide, this meeting was to plan our the celebration would take place in our region. Two venues were identified, the University of Northwest in Mafikeng, (some 2.5 hours drive from here), and Madikwe Resource Center where Liz and I were originally going to be placed for our service. The celebration was to involve busing learners to Madikwe where they could take part in practical experiments and demonstrations regarding Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences. I quickly volunteered to by the person facilitating the Physics experiments and that was that.

From Monday to Friday this week, I attended National Science Week and was able to reach an estimated 800 students. Most of these were Grade 10, 11, and 12 but some ranged in other levels, even as low as Grade 4. Again, this involved some long hours and a 45 minute commute each way which as a Peace Corps Volunteer I was completely dependent on others for and sometimes the lack of organization and the late arrival of buses were extremely frustrating. Overall, the experience was great fun. I was originally only supposed to accommodate the older learners but the cheering and laughter coming from my room enticed the younger learners to participate as well.

The two biggest hits were my demonstration of inertia and the Van de Graff Generator which are great for audience participation. I also discussed waves using a spring and a ripple tank with some of the learners.

There is a University of Northwest extension program called the Science Foundation who are working at making the Madikwe Resource Center a campus for a program that helps people to gain the qualification they need to study science or engineering at the university level. These folks were responsible for running the event in Madikwe and it was very enjoyable to develop some relationships with them which I think will be fruitful in the future.

EDIT: I've added the link to these photos. Enjoy!