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Science2Go – MAHLE (KZN)

Project Objectives

1. To provide students with the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning, which can be more effective than passive learning methods like lectures or reading
2. To reinforce theoretical concepts taught in the classroom
3. To encourages critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities.
4. Teach students about the scientific method, which includes processes like hypothesis formulation, experimentation, data collection, and analysis
5. Teach students about laboratory safety protocols and the importance of following them.
6. Teach students how to design experiments, including selecting variables, setting up controls, and ensuring the reliability and validity of their data.
7. Teach students data collection and analysis using various instruments and techniques, and analyse this data to draw meaningful conclusions.
8. Teach students about writing lab reports or presenting findings to peers and teachers to help them improve their communication skills, both written and oral.
9. Teach students team work which will help them collaborate with their peers, learning how to work effectively as part of a team.

The Mahle Science2Go Project is a very specialised project focusing on the practical side of teaching Natural Sciences to Grades 7-9 learners. The project entails a qualified Natural Sciences Facilitator and a mobile van equipped with the necessary equipment going to schools to provide hands on experience to learners in conducting prescribed experiments.

The Mahle project started in 2015 with 33 schools comprising 12 High Schools and 21 Primary Schools which was the first cohort. This was followed by the second cohort in 2019 which had 24 schools comprising 9 High Schools and 15Primary Schools. The present cohort which started last year in 2022 comprise 10 primary schools and 7 High Schools.

The project focuses on Grade 7 learners at Primary Schools and Grades 8 and 9 at High Schools. The aim is to make project learners understand and enjoy Science which will make them continue to do science at Further Education and Training (FET) Level and ultimately pursue Science related careers after tertiary studies.

The project caters for schools around Pinetown as the project aims to support schools from communities where Mahle employees come from. The schools are from Marrrianridge, Cliffdale, Mpumalanga Township, Clermont, KwaNyuswa, Intshanga, kwa-Ngcolosi and Inanda. The project seeks to address the issue of lack of laboratories in schools. Most rural and township schools do not have laboratories while others would have them but not in a fully -functional condition. Through the provision of apparatus, during the mobile laboratory visits to schools, learners get an opportunity to conduct prescribed experiments being assisted by a Science2Go facilitator and their school teacher.

The projects further provide coding and robotics. It covers 1 teacher development workshop and 1 visit per school for grade 7 in primary schools and grade 8 or 9 for High Schools.

 

Project Roll out Approach
One workshop at the beginning of each of terms 1-3 to orientate teachers on the prescribed experiment
for the term.

Each school is visited once per term three times a year for Natural Sciences and one for coding as an add on component of the project.

 

Funding invested
Science2Go Budget R1 036 481,06
Coding Budget R200 000.00