The KZN Science Centre’s goal is to always improve the quality of education for children in disadvantaged communities and up the performance of the province’s learners in critical disciplines such as science, mathematics, technology and engineering.
We owe it to our children to provide them with the tools and knowledge needed to get an education that will enable them to break out of the cycle of poverty,” said Chief Executive Officer of The KZN Science Centre, Ms Candice Potgieter.
“Our mission is to inculcate the importance of education in our youth, educators and the general public using funded learning projects, curriculum based resources and interactive exhibitions. While our first port of call will always be conducting outreach programmes in under resourced schools,” she said.
It is imperative that our youth today understands that the choices they make today contribute to our economy in the future. This is one of the broad objectives of the KZN Science Centre. Correct subject selections by our youth inform their careers in the years to come. This month, the team have paid particular homage to youth into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics careers in and effort to inspire learners to make informed decisions about their future through their choices today. By empowering the youth of today, we are investing in the economy of tomorrow as these are the next generation leaders.
Through its partnership with a local community radio station, Inanda FM, The KZN Science Centre’s education officer, Celiwe Chauca has used her evening slot on air to inspire the youth this month by addressing interesting science based topics live on radio. The focus of the show during this month is to get the youth of KZN curious about the world of science and the opportunities that exist for those who pursue the subject. There are weekly profiles of the KZN Science Centre team members consisting of NYS volunteers who are advocates for the success of youth into science programmes. Listeners are able to relate to the team, identify with their message and hopefully be inspired to make a change this youth month.
This month the team find themselves in the Zululand district seeing an average of 400 learners a day from various disadvantaged schools. Taking advantage of their current placement, the KZNSC team, many being mature youth themselves, have decided to give back to the local community of Vryheid by conducting exciting public science shows, and also giving the public the opportunity to participate in science awareness and engagement in a social setting on this special commemoration of June 16th.
