Geeky never looked this good

Speed-Date-a-Scientist gives high school students a chance to dance around the idea of pursuing science as a career with the help of four scientists from Rhodes University and the University of Pretoria. Each scientist is allocated a small group of students and given six minutes to explain what their job entails and answer any of the students’ pressing questions. When the timer goes off the scientists rotate to other groups.

My ‘date’ for this scientific speed dating experience was Pretoria-based scientist Puleng Tsie. Tsie works at the University of Pretoria as a manager for Sci Enza, a science centre that works toward promoting science and making it “accessible to learners of all ages in a fun and entertaining way”. Tsie, who studied biological sciences at University of Pretoria has made it her mission to help change the perception that science is ‘boring’ and ‘difficult’.

“I think the way learners approach science will change so much if they perceive it differently, in another, light. We want to make science fun, and understandable to children, so that they see it as something they can relate to and don’t get scared off by its complexity,” she explained, adding that science and mathematics is the basis to everything in life.

She said one of the main misconceptions people have about science is that it’s not exciting. “People always confine (science) to only one area, whereas opportunities are actually limitless,” she explained. Another misconception about scientists she is too often faced with is that they’re considered to be boring. “The other day someone asked me if I take selfies,” she laughed (yes, she does!).

Tsie would like to see the field of Science Communications continue to grow, reach more learners and show them that science can in fact be fun, through the use of more interactive learning approaches. For her, the best part of her job is seeing someone finally grasp a scientific concept. “Witnessing that light bulb moment is simply the best,” she said.

As I left the workshop, I couldn’t help wondering: if Scifest had been available to me when I was trotting about in a school uniform and an oversized backpack, might I now be a scientist at this prestigious event instead of just reporting on it? On second thoughts, the world needs journalists too, or does it really?

Speed-Date-a-Scientist, Fynbos Hub, Monument, daily except Saturday and Sunday.