Is your school interested in using a CASME Resource centre? Book a centre near you

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.

Overview of the Mahle Science2Go Project

The Mahle Science2Go Project is a specialised initiative aimed at enhancing the practical teaching of Natural Sciences for Grade 7-9 learners. Central to the project is a mobile van equipped with the necessary scientific apparatus, accompanied by a qualified Natural Sciences Facilitator, to deliver hands-on experimental learning at schools. Launched in 2015, the project began with 33 schools, comprising 12 high schools and 21 primary schools, as its first cohort. The second cohort, introduced in 2019, included 24 schools (9 high schools and 15 primary schools). The current cohort, which started in 2022, serves 17 schools—10 primary and 7 high schools. The program specifically targets Grade 7 learners at primary schools and Grades 8 and 9 at high schools to foster a deeper understanding and enjoyment of science, encouraging learners to pursue science-related fields at the Further Education and Training (FET) level and beyond.

 

South 32 Teacher Workshop

Impact and Implementation

The Mahle Science2Go Project supports schools primarily in the Pinetown area, focusing on communities where Mahle employees reside, including Mariannridge, Cliffdale, Mpumalanga Township, Clermont, KwaNyuswa, Intshanga, Kwa-Ngcolosi, and Inanda. The initiative addresses the critical lack of functional laboratories in rural and township schools by providing learners the opportunity to conduct prescribed experiments under the guidance of the Science2Go facilitator and their school teachers. Additionally, the project includes a coding and robotics component, with one teacher development workshop and one visit per school annually for these subjects.

The program structure includes one workshop at the beginning of each term (terms 1-3) to orient teachers on the prescribed experiments and three school visits per year for Natural Sciences, with an additional visit for coding activities. This comprehensive approach ensures both educators and learners benefit from a structured, interactive, and practical science education.