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Addressing the province’s skills gaps through STEAM initiatives for learners

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Building a giant geodesic dome or a soccer ball takes just as much maths as art – as hundreds of Grade 10 to 12 learners are discovering for themselves at three interactive workshops in the Eastern Cape this month, introducing them to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) education.

Images: EthembeniSteam

The first workshop took place at Gqeberha’s Ethembeni Enrichment Centre on March 6, with the next two taking place at Buffalo City Metro Inner City School on March 10 and Gqeberha’s Paterson High on March 17.

The learners, mostly from under-resourced schools, are all participants in two unique projects led by Nelson Mandela University’s Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Centre (GMMDC), with the aim of improving their maths and science results, preparing them for studies and careers aligned with 21 st century needs – and ultimately creating employment and economic growth in the Eastern Cape.

The first project, sponsored by the Automotive Industry Development Cooperation-Eastern Cape (AIDC-EC), is targeting selected learners from urban schools in Gqeberha and Buffalo City over the next three years, while the second project, sponsored by the Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (BankSeta) is targeting rural schools in several nodes of the province in 2023.

“If the Faculty of Science at Nelson Mandela University is to realize its vision of being a transdisciplinary and engaged 21 st century African faculty, then a strategy of STEAM education will make sure that the dream is not deferred,” said Mandela University Dean of Science Azwinndini Muronga.

The two projects also support a provincial skills development drive – led by the Eastern Cape Premier’s office.

“Although these two projects are independent, both are addressing the province’s huge need for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and STEAM skills,” said GMMDC director Prof Werner Olivier.

“The beauty of the interactive STEAM workshops is that learners will experience the importance of critical and creative thinking when using maths and science to solve problems. These are key skills for today’s challenges in the workplace,” said Olivier.

The STEAM workshops supplement a much broader teaching and learning programme developed by GMMDC, which brings together technology-based and traditional teaching methods. It includes Teacher-Assisted Peer Support (TAPS) programmes at the project schools, along with online and offline maths and science support provided via GMMDC’s interactive applications for mobile devices.

Online support is provided via the MobiTutorZA app, to which any learner or school in South Africa can subscribe, and which includes online tests with automated feedback, personalized WhatsApp support, and support sessions to go over problem areas and past papers. For the offline support, GMMDC is providing each participating learner with a tablet loaded with video lessons, PowerPoint Presentations, multi-language support, maths software and many other resources linked to the CAPS curriculum, that they will be able to use as their own ”personal tutor” outside of school hours.

“Every year, thousands of learners fail maths in Matric. But our programmes have proven that learners who show promise can do well – and our hope is to run even more sponsored projects like this one, so we can reach even more learners, and make a difference not just in our province, but across the country,” said Olivier.

Apart from supporting learners, GMMDC is also building the professional skills of teachers at project schools. They are also working to build capacity at Walter Sisulu University and other universities to enable similar projects to be rolled out to even more schools.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.