1. THE TRANSLATION OF RESEARCH PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Contributors: Ms Debra Railoun Mrs Sarah Bok Mrs Khalipha Ramahlape Research Translation Office Corporate & Public Affairs Directorate

2. RESEARCH TRANSLATION “Research makes no difference to health and quality of life unless it is translated into specific interventions such as: Policy, Practice, Products & Promotion, which can have an impact on the health and quality of life of the nation”.

3. ASPECTS OF RESEARCH TRANSLATION OFFICE Public Engagement: For research translation to benefit society, the levels of public engagement must be raised.

4. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Bridges the gap between science/scientists and society Accountable at all levels (public, government & funders) Creates effective science communication Demystifies science among the literate and economically active Creates a platform to engage the interest of those less privileged Exposes school learners to career opportunities in Science and Technology and Health

5. SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES Khanyagula Science Expo National Science Week Grahamstown SciFest Workshops for –EducatorsEducators –LearnersLearners Science Days at Schools Health Days National Youth Day

6. SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT Khanyagula Science Expo Held annually for township schools Serves the purpose of capacity development as learners are groomed to be competent enough to compete at regional and national level. Through this project, more learners from township schools are taking part in Science Expo All the proud gold medalists from the Khanyagula programme who were selected to represent the region at the national finals in Pretoria.

7. SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT National Science Week MRC is involved in NSW activities

8. SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT Grahamstown Science Festival Showcase MRC Run workshops

9. SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT Workshops for educators

10. SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT Workshops for learners HIV DNA TB Malaria DNA Workshop

11. SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT Science Days at Schools MRC Scientists address learners. This serves the purpose of science promotion as well as role modeling for learners.

12. SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT Health Days These are celebrated with the purpose of promoting healthy living.

13. SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT National Youth Day

14. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES: Health Days MRC Scientists addressing public at clinics, hospitals, youth centres, and other events.MRC Scientists addressing public at clinics, hospitals, youth centres, and other events. National Science Week

15. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Health Days Cancer Day – Eastern Cape AIDS Day - Khayelitsha, MRC TB Day - (MRC Cape Town) Diabetes Day – MRC Cape Town

16. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: MRC Scientists address public at clinics, hospitals, youth centres, and other events.

17. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: National Science Week Community invited to special day

18. OUTPUTS Iodine in Salt (NIVS) Food Table (NIVS), and many more AIDS (cartoons/cells workshop) DNA Workshop – makes molecular biology meaningful Lead in paint (policy) Tobacco (policy)

19. LESSONS LEARNED? Workshops to be participatory Use low cost easily accessible props Flexible modules Use imagination Alternate sitting & moving activities Use competition Use relevant metaphors Engage with relevant applications Address language diversity issues Seek informal feedback Create a WOW! Factor Be whacky, colourful, enthusiastic, larger than life

20. CONCLUSION With imagination complex scientific principles can be meaningfully transferred to a diverse audience