UKZN Celebrates National Science Week

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UKZN celebrated National Science Week in style with a three-phase campaign.

First, Durban school pupils enjoyed access to a fun-filled week of scientific activities run by the Science and Technology Education Centre on the Westville campus.

Staff from the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science went the extra mile to keep the 300 Grade 10 and Grade 11 pupils wowed by the whole spectrum of scientific wonders available at UKZN.

Accommodating 60 learners a day, the programme offered an array of hands-on fun including simulating tsunamis, programming robots, making chemical concoctions, viewing sophisticated microscopy equipment, handling live chickens, analysing genetic combinations, learning about maths, stats, physics and engineering, and  getting down and dirty with rocks.

Each day youngsters from a variety of local schools tried their hand at being scientists of the future. The programme included exposure to three different scientific disciplines, a talk on careers available in the sciences as well as a fun-filled quiz. With a competitive element thrown in, the children were eager to display just how many scientific facts they knew and left the University in high spirits with the importance of science enhanced.

As phase two of the week’s campaign, the College organised the highly successful Great UKZN Science Show-Off, aimed at the whole family.  This science show saw the famous “Dr G” - aka Dr Megan Govender - and Dr Tanja Reinhardt and Mr Ajay Bissessur battle it out on the scientific stage.  Their scientific tricks, treats, whooshes and bangs kept the audience wowed and amazed.

Ever want to breathe smoke through your nose like a dragon?  “Dr G” showed his young fans just how it was done!

Rounding off the Week on a more serious note, a public lecture was presented by UKZN PhD student, Ms Kenda Knowles, titled: “Astrophysics:  Recent Discoveries and Mysteries”.

The highly interesting presentation demonstrated just why astronomers get so excited about discovering the Universe.  Knowles explained to a packed house some of the more recent and interesting discoveries in astrophysics, including 3D printing and ultrasounds new (imaginary?) planets and triple black holes.

Knowles is a member of UKZN’s Astrophysics and Cosmology Research Unit (ACRU).

National Science Week is celebrated every year during the first week of August. A Department of Science and Technology initiative run in partnership with public and private institutions, it aims to further the public’s understanding of Science and to advance Science and Technology within South Africa.

Sally Frost