Science on the Move

Shortly after the canary coloured cricketers have left our shores (with or without the trophy) a further Australian invasion begins. "Science on the Move" (SOTM) will be happening in Zululand from 8 April to 16th May and in Durban from 19th May to 18th June.

SOTM is a project of the Australian National University and Questacon Science Centre in Canberra. The project comprises the following:

A series of travelling interactive science and technology exhibits specially tailored for South African communities
Two trained Australian staff to give relevant science presentations in schools and to the local community., and present teacher workshops
Volunteer personnel from SA to assist with the project
Printed resources for teachers to assist in follow-up.

The Australian staff and the South African volunteers will travel together to a different school each day, to present the programme. It is hoped that over 500 learners will be reached daily: all the Grade 8 and 9's, and Grade 10 - 12 Science learners.

The project has a proven track-record in the Pacific Islands, where the exhibits were flown around from island to island in light aircraft. Most of the funds for the project have been raised in Australia by Michael Gore and Sue Stocklmayer (of the Australian National University):- local funds will be raised for transport, printing etc.

The exhibits will remain the property of Unizul Science Centre after the tours, but we are keen to explore the concept all over the country. Michael Gore will also be spending over a month in South Africa, appearing at the Grahamstown Science Festival and visiting various Centres - if you have a chance to meet him, do so! He has a lifetime of experience and a great sense of humour.

Derek Fish
Unizul Science Centre

sotm news page revised 2003/02/21 by the webmaster