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Science Across the World in Cape Town, South Africa
Charmaine Klein is the Science Across the World coordinator for Africa. She is based at the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, where she manages two sections namely, the Environmental Education & Resources Unit (EERU) and also oversees the Grounds sections to ensure that the University is managed in an environmentally sound manner. EERUThe University of the Western Cape (UWC) is located in Bellville (NW Cape Town). On its campus it has a nature reserve, i.e. the Cape Flats Nature Reserve (referring to the flat landscape between the Table Mountain and the Hottentots Holland Ridge). This reserve forms the core of EERU’s programmes and is extensively used for environmental education.
The Unit also houses a Nursery and glasshouse to grow indigenous plants. These plants are used to help schools lay-out their school gardens.
Team-leader Louis Classen proudly showed the Nursery and Ivy Kinnear, the E(nvironmental) E(ducational) O(fficer) spoke enthusiastically about the Cape Flats Nature Reserve and her work with school classes (of all levels) and the materials (worksheets) she uses. Learners can come to the Reserve and Glasshouse and Ivy also visits schools. Mount View High School in Hanover Park Louis took me to Mount View High School in the township of Hanover Park, within the Cape Town municipal region, where learners were laying out a school garden in front of the school, with plants from EERU. The proud headmaster, Mr Archie Benjamin shared about the difficulties the school faces with learners from this deprived area and how they try to cope with the problems.Elswood High School in Elsies RiverThe next day we travelled to Elswood High School in the suburb Elsies River, close to the University, where we were met by the principal Mr. Terence Hillburgh. We ran practical activities from the Science Across the World topic 'Chemistry in our lives' (question 3 on the Exchange Form) in the library, with 35 learners, the science teacher and Mr. Miller, the dedicated teacher of English. The task for the learners was, in groups of four, to design, produce and market a new South African cosmetic line. The workshop went very well, also because Mr. Miller was very supportive. The groups worked hard to finish their tasks in time and they ended up with great coloured and smelly products. We finish the practical work with all the groups using presentation and marketing tools for creative TV commercials with product line names such as ‘purple pears’ (bath salts) and 'Einstein express’ (gel). The jury consisting of principal Mr. Hillburgh and Charmaine had a difficult job to choose the three best performing groups. Prizes were dark blue UWC scarves and the new UWC pens. Mr. Miller could hardly say goodbye! We promised to stay in contact! SAW developments in South AfricaDuring my stay we paid a visit to Dr. Lorna Holtman, deputy Dean of Science of the University of the Western Cape. Charmaine discussed her plans with the Science Across the World programme for South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa. Lorna sounded very supportive. We decided to keep in contact and look for possibilities!
March 2009
Text: Charmaine Klein, Lida Schoen
Pictures: Lida Schoen
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