SABC Education and the Plastics Federation of South Africa have launched a fantastic plastics competition for grade 10, 11 and 12 learners to promote environmental awareness among schoolchildren.
The competition fits in well with worldwide initiatives to encourage communities and companies to curb activities that increase environmental pollution.
The competition is divided into two categories: physical and applied science, and language.
The language category is set aside for individual entries, while the physical and applied science category is for group entries with a maximum of four learners in each group.
In the language category, learners are expected to ‘design an eye-catching booklet about the use of plastics in the design and manufacture of a motor car”. The booklet is targeted at learners aged between 12 and 14.
Learners must also highlight how the use of plastics affects vehicle weight, fuel consumption, safety, impact on the environment and recycling.
In the physical and applied science learning area, learners must compile a report that investigates the recycling of plastic waste at their school.
Their report must include, among others, possible sources of plastic waste material at their school or community setting such as plastic bags and poly- styrene packaging.
The report must also feature a ‘design for a collection system for the temporary storage” of the identified waste materials, as well as the drawing of a ‘floor plan of a drop-off centre for plastic collection”.
The marketing manager of SABC Education, Danie Swart, said that the broadcaster teamed up with the Plastics Federation because of its commitment to educational campaigns encouraging healthy, clean, pollution-free environments for all South Africans.
The competitions offer a string of prizes. For instance, winners at the provincial level would choose their prizes from a ‘range of fantastic plastic products made totally or in part from plastic”.
The prizes include computers, cameras, TV sets, DVD recorders, sport equipment and cellphones.
Not only will learners be rewarded for their individual efforts but their schools will benefit too. The value of the prizes for the learner is R5 000 worth of plastic products and R4 000 worth of plastic products for the school.
Second place winners in all categories will receive certificates.
National prizewinners will be treated to a fun-filled weekend in Port Elizabeth. This will also cover the prize-giving event, sightseeing and educational activities.
But if the quality of entries is not ‘up to standard”, a winner may not be selected in either category.
Learners can watch SABC1’s Science 4 Life programme, which will be broadcast every Monday at 6.30pm from next month. Rules and other related details of the competition will be featured on the show.
The deadline for entries is July 27 2007.