EXTRA CURRICULA ACTIVITIES – IN SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION SAPA CONFERENCE Venue: White River Date: 19 September 2019 By:

National Research Facilities STRUCTURE DST NRF SAASTA Science Communications Science Awareness Science Education National Research Facilities RISA

ABOUT THE NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION (RISA) Research and Innovation Support and Advancement - Involved with Grant Funding and Rating National Research Facilities SARAO (HartRAO – Hartebeeshoek Radio Astronomy Observatory – Build in 1961 by NASA and SKA – Countries: South Africa, Australia, China, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Sweden, Netherland, UK iThemba LABS – For Accelerator Based Science – Western Cape and Wits SAAO – Astronomical Observatory (Sutherland, NC and WC) SAEON – Environmental Observatory Network (Head Office in Gauteng) SAIAB – Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (Grahamstown – Eastern Cape) (SAASTA)The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement

DST SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY 2015 Strategic Aim 1 To popularise science, engineering, technology and innovation (SETI) as attractive, relevant and accessible in order to enhance scientific literacy and awaken interest in relevant careers Encourage learners and young people in general to participate in science Strategic Aim 2 To develop a critical public that actively engages and participates in the national discourse of science and technology to the benefit of society Enable citizens in general to develop independent, informed opinions on science issues Strategic Aim 3 To promote science communication that will enhance science engagement in South Africa Position science communication as an effective enabler of science engagement Strategic Aim 4 To profile South African science and science achievements domestically and internationally, demonstrating their contribution to national development and global science, thereby enhancing their public standing Creating opportunities for citizens to realise the value of science

TARGET GROUPS Publics Learners Educators Industry Scientists & Researchers Science Interpreters Decision Makers Journalists General Public Students Tourists Indigenous Knowledge Holders

POPULARISATION OF STEMI Endeavours that make SET careers appeal to young people Complementing the teaching and learning of mathematics, science and technology subjects through informal means that make the learning process stimulating and linked to real world examples Efforts that provoke learners’ scientific curiosity and nurture it Developing learners’ science communication skills, particularly those showing talent and potential for SET careers

EXTRA CURRICULA ACTIVITIES School-based science engagement initiatives through After School Science Clubs (ASSCs) Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Coordinating participation in Olympiads and competitions Coaching and Mentoring Career Development Services Educator Support and Development – DST Priority Areas LTSM IKS Biodiversity & Biotechnology Space Science & Astronomy Palaeoscience Hydrogen Fuel

EDUCATOR DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT Exposure for educators on the application of science and technology Training teachers as mentors/coaches for STEMI Olympiads & competitions including expos (practical-based/enquiry-based/investigation-based competitions) Engagement on content to enhance understanding of topics in curriculum and assessment policy statements Natural Sciences Technology Mathematics Physical Sciences Life Sciences Life Orientation

STEMI OLYMPIADS AND COMPETITIONS - ASTEMI Background ASTEMI (Association of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation) is a national non-profit association of 19 independent organisations working in the STEMI (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation) space. These member organisations focus on Olympiads and Competitions and consist of educators, professionals, members of the public, non-profit organisations and volunteers dedicated to promoting and improving STEMI education in the country. ASTEMI brings together all role players in Olympiads and Competitions including professional and academic societies, government (Department of Science and Innovation), implementing agents (SAASTA), Science Centres and Higher Education Institutions.

The ASTEMI business model’s purpose and underlying philosophy is: to focus on developing and researching Olympiads and Competitions to form alliances with the Department of Science and Innovation, the National Research Foundation, the Department of Basic Education and the government in general. to be aware of and coordinate activities in line with the National Development Plan. To be aware of and coordinate activities in line with the Youth into Science and Science Engagement strategies. To establish contacts with appropriate International Olympiads and Competitions. The issue of transformation is central to ASTEMI

ASTEMI Vision & Mission Vision To promote excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation in South African schools. Mission To contribute to high-quality STEM education for all school learners from Grade R -12 To assist in identifying and nurturing talent of promising young South Africans and to encourage them to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. To encourage as many schools as possible to achieve excellence in STEM. To help instil a passion for teaching and learning of STEM subjects.

ASTEMI Aims and Objectives To give as many learners as possible the opportunity to develop their potential in resourced, under-resourced and rural schools. To identify, nurture and track learners who are high achievers in Olympiads and Competitions. To popularise Olympiads and Competitions at schools especially with girl learners. To prepare South African learners to become globally competitive in international Olympiads and Competitions. To collaborate with partners that will improve the efficiency in promoting Olympiads and Competitions.

ASTEMI The role of ASTEMI Umbrella body that promotes Olympiads and Competitions for primary and secondary school learners. Governed by a Constitution and has five elected office bearers i.e. Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and Marketing & Communication Officer. Member organisations are governed by a code of conduct. Major part of ASTEMI member organisations’ work involves developing and supporting learners as well as accessing resources to fund such initiatives. Ensure that all the STEMI Olympiads and Competitions organisers in the country are identified and encouraged to be affiliated/registered in the association. There are 19 member organisations that operate under the umbrella of ASTEMI.

Categories of Olympiads and Competitions ASTEMI Categories of Olympiads and Competitions Robotics Based Olympiad or Competitions World Robotics Olympiad (Hands on Tech) First Lego League (Tshwane University of Technology) Visual Get Excited About Robotics competition (University of South Africa) Rockets and Robot Olympiad (The Spear Development Foundation) (Imbewu Foundation) Research Based Olympiad or Competitions Eskom Expo For Young Scientists (Eskom) Sasol Techno X competition (Sasol) National Schools Debates™ (SAASTA)

Categories of Olympiads and Competitions Cont. ASTEMI Categories of Olympiads and Competitions Cont. Quiz Based Olympiad or Competitions Life Sciences Competition (National Zoological Garden) Mathematics Quiz (University of Cape Town) Minquiz (Mintek) NanoQuiz (Moipone Academy) Astroquiz™ (SAASTA) Application Based Olympiad or Competitions Computer Programming Olympiad (Institute of Information Technology Professionals SA) Computer Applications Programme (Institute of Information Technology Professionals SA) South African Science Lens™ (SAASTA)

ASTEMI www.astemi.co.za www.saasta.ac.za

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU REA LEBOGA