Illuminating, would perhaps be the best way to describe the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, housed in Newtown’s old Turbine Hall.
Downstairs in the huge steel Victorian edifice, surrounded by interactive displays on the production of electricity, is the generator that once provided Johannesburg with its power.
Nearby is a ‘construction site”, looking not unlike a large, brightly coloured jungle gym. Sponsored by Murray & Roberts, the installation is designed to encourage young minds to solve simple spatial difficulties. Nearby, a device illustrates gear ratios; and there is a model crane with operating pulleys.
Skills-testing, co-ordination, communication and problem-solving play a large part in the 250 or so interactive puzzles and games set out in Sci-Bono to tease the curiosity and imagination and to demonstrate scientific truths. There is a simple circuit-breaker to show how a light switches on. Test your skills on a seemingly easy wooden puzzle. Play with acoustics using computer-generated sound to simulate various musical instruments.
Girls giggle as they place the pers-pex layers of separate colours that make up a picture, showing how a colour television screen works.
On the ground floor a new BMW car is on display, showing the layout of the engine and a cross-section of the car door with its intricate electronic circuitry. Suspended upstairs is a real Cheetah fighter plane once used by the air force and a model of the Wright brothers’ plane.
The visitor is constantly amazed by the diversity of science. Sci-Bono has attractions for old and young and, importantly, a huge propensity for turning science into fun.
The centre, the largest of its kind in South Africa and the second-biggest on the continent, is a uniquely crafted ‘edutainment” destination. It aims to support education in mathematics, science and technology and to promote career education in these critical areas of the economy.
‘It is the only government-sponsored institution of its kind in Africa,” says Cynthia Malinga, manager of the education sector.
Sci-Bono (roughly translated as ‘good learning”) was the idea of Ignatius Jacobs, then MEC for education in Gauteng, in the mid-1990s. The plan took shape and, finally, in 2004, the centre was launched in the building previously known as The Electric Workshop. ‘We have not changed the structure — all we did was make it safer for children,” says Malinga. ‘What we see now is only phase one. Phase two, under construction, will include classrooms, labs, an auditorium, a computer centre and a sky lab.” Phase three, due for completion by 2010, will include an eco-centre, a greenhouse, agricultural exhibits and a life science centre.
‘We are busy on a project leading up to 2010 — on soccer,” she says. This will cover every scientific aspect of the sport, from the intricacies of the actual ball to the playing fields, angles and distance. ‘When we hosted the Science Tunnel (a multi-media tour of the universe created by Germany’s Max Planck Institute) recently, we had a Robo Cup, with robots playing soccer.” Incidentally, the centre is developing a course in robotics.”
In a lecture room tour guides — called science communicators — enjoy a demonstration on rocket building given by members of the Rocketry Association. These young people, each with a science qualification, assist visitors where necessary or conduct guided tours.
‘We are a Section 21 company working closely with the department of education, with 95% of our exhibits linked to the curriculum.” The centre was visited by about 53 000 people in 2007, and was so busy during National Science Week that it plans to hold the event over two weeks in 2008, says Malinga.
Exciting plans for 2008 include Water Week in March, Aviation Week in April and National Science Week — or fortnight — in May. Other subjects to be highlighted include ICT, careers, african origins, in partnership with the Wits Origins Centre, biodiversity and finance.
Ongoing projects include a Saturday school sponsored by Sasol and computer-aided design workshops, as well as lessons in acoustics.
A ham radio shack offers budding broadcasters the chance to practise their skills on Radio Sci-Bono within the centre. Small reading booths allow learners to peruse copies of Popular Mechanics.
Public schools are charged R5 per learner and private schools R10.
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Miriam Makeba Street, Newtown, Joburg. Tel: 011-639-8400; e-mail: [email protected]; Website: www.sci-bono.co.za