/ 3 April 2011

Science initiatives

A comprehensive learning kit for physical science teachers and learners has been put together by Sasol, the department of science and technology, the National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Catalysis, the University of Cape Town and PetroSA.

The chemical industries resource pack will be distributed to more than 6 000 grades 11 and 12 physical science teachers at training sessions. The project, which aims to bring chemistry alive in the classroom, has been developed to support the changes in the grades 11 and 12 physical science curriculum, which was reviewed to include a stronger focus on the role of science in industry, technology and the environment. Learners will now be engaging with chemistry in a way that helps them to understand its application in the real world.

The free resource pack and all the material is also available for download at www.sasol.com. Sasol’s involvement is part of the group’s wider strategy to bring the International Year of Chemistry (IYC) 2011 to South Africa.

Meanwhile, all schools are invited to participate in the 15th South Africa science olympiads, which are being held by the National Science Olympiad Committee and the South African Association of Science and Technology Educators KwaZulu-Natal. The physical science contest will be held on September 6 and the natural and life sciences contest on September 8. The closing date for entries is June 30.

For more information go to: www.scienceolympiad.co.za.