Science and technology centre marks 10 years of preparing youth for future
Having helped to establish and support six clubs at schools, and facilitating the authoring and publishing of 15 conference papers, the Nelson Mandela Bay Science and Technology Centre has more than punched above its weight in promoting enthusiasm and development for the sciences in Kariega.
Ten years on, under the custodianship of the Nelson Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA), the centre is looking ahead as the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) is set to define the next decade and beyond.
“It’s a different world out there,” MBDA operations director Debbie Hendricks said.
She was speaking yesterday at the centre where the agency and other stakeholders gathered to celebrate the centre’s 10-year anniversary.
“Science and technology are critical for the growth of our country and economy,” Hendricks said.
“If we are not preparing our youth to enter those spaces we will find ourselves lagging behind.
“Coding will be the next official language.”
Recognised with level two accreditation by the SA Network of Science Centres, the centre provides workplace experience for final-year students, conducts training programmes and hosts annual national events such as the 16th Southern African Association of Science and Technology Centres conference.
Hendricks said with the agency also facing a dwindling budget, the centre’s programmes have had to be curtailed.
To continue providing a hub fostering innovation, she said they would be focusing on 4IR and developing strategic partnerships.
“There is a lot happening in terms of business in the metro that we can take advantage of.
“We want to call for friends of the centre, who will adopt certain aspects in it,” she said.
She said the centre required two more mobile labs and an off-road vehicle for its schools’ outreach programmes.
With refurbishments at the old railway shed located next to the centre due to be finished in 2025, Hendricks said it would accommodate an expansion.
‘In an age where we need African solutions that are designed and glued in Africa, we cannot over-emphasise the importance and support of places like these’
Advisory centre committee chair Noxolo Kahlana said the centre was critical for solutions to socioeconomic challenges faced by the country.
“In an age where we need African solutions that are designed and glued in Africa, we cannot over-emphasise the importance and support of places like these where young people are exposed to sciences at a young age, because the world they will live in in the next 10 years will be completely different from ours,” she said.
MBDA chair Glenda Perumal
said it was possible for SA to be part of the global science community.
“SA is lagging behind in the adoption of 4IR while children in other countries are engaging in coding, robotics, machine learning and augmented reality,” she said.