Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Fun at virtual science fest
EVER wanted to know how to build a vacuum-cleaner marshmallow cannon or to use gravity-defying water? If yes, this one’s for you.
To lift some of the Covid-19 blues, the Sakhikamva Foundation hosted a virtual science festival. It offered 20 inspiring shows and Stem (science, technology, engineering and maths) workshops. In the workshops, pupils, parents and teachers were exposed to the Stem fields which integrate classroom knowledge with practical, real-life experiences and examples.
Australian National University’s Graham Walker shared science experiments which pupils can try at home. Activities from building apps, to designing drones and from aviation, to robotics were on show.
The shows and workshops were aimed at pupils from grades R-12.
Athar Harris,14, a Grade 8 learner at Goodwood College, said: “The science festival is fun and educational. I’m learning a lot and always learning new things. I’m looking forward to more experiments in science, especially robotics.”
Founder of the Sakhikamva Foundation, forensic scientist and airline pilot Fatima Jakoet, said:
“We’re delighted to launch the science festival and open up opportunities for South African kids. We have such exciting partners on board and an incredibly stimulating programme over the two weeks.
“This covers a wide range of interest from art to aviation to space science.
It’s time for parents and teachers to help lift spirits and get their children signed up for the 2020 science festival.”
Jakoet established the Sakhikamva Foundation in 2010. Based at the Cape Academy for Mathematics, Science and
Technology in Tokai, a nonprofit organisation that promotes awareness of the aerospace industry through Stem projects.
“Through a variety of programmes at schools and the world’s first Stream (science, technology, robotics, engineering, aerospace and maths)
laboratory facility, which was launched in 2015, Sakhikamva Foundation connects children to
Stem subjects through fun, hands-on, immersive learning,” Jakoet added.
To see highlights from the science festival, visit: https://www.sakhikamva. org/