I-SET EXHIBITS AT THE SCIENCE KITS HAND-OVER AND CAREER EXPO IN UMKHANYAKUDE DISTRICT

South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) invited the Inspired towards Science, Engineering and Technology (I-SET) to attend and exhibit at the Science Kits Hand-over and Career Expo to the schools in uMkhanyakude Education District on Friday, 18 October 2019. The event was co-ordinated by SANEDI in collaboration with UMkhanyakude Education District and it was open to grade 9-12 educators and stakeholders.

Tino Mashiri who is one of I-SET’s passionate Buddy represented I-SET. The event took place at Khulani Special School at Makhasa village where Mashiri proudly represented the College of Science Engineering and Technology (CSET) and the University of South Africa (UNISA) at large. I-SET’s exhibition table displayed a number of exciting robotics models that demonstrated the importance of automation and computation. There were also opportunities for learners and keen members of the community to engage in a number of hands-on robotics activities.

According to Mashiri, learners had so much fun that it was hard getting rid of them to allow a different group to come experience the fun aspects of robotics. The learners also wanted a chance to build and programme their own robot however; time did not allow them, as he was not hosting workshops on the day.

For more info on I-SET, visit our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Article by:  Andzani Sibiya

I-SET Communication Practitioner

I-SET RESEARCH WORKSHOP IN PREPARATION FOR THE CITY SHAPER CHALLENGE

Saturday 26 August 2019, Inspired towards Science, Engineering and Technology (I-SET), a community engagement flagship project of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) hosted a Research workshop for teams of learners and their coaches and mentors preparing them for the First Lego League (FLL) 2019 City Shaper challenge.

The 120 learners gathered in the Old Call Centre at the Unisa Science Campus at 10h00. The programme started with learners participating in team building events, a giant jengo required patience, building houses with limited resources required communication, and building a Lego city around a river required planning and problem solving.

After a research brief to discuss the challenge: identify a problematic building or open space in your community. The detailed problem discussions led to the identification of potential solutions; the feasibility of these solutions were deliberated with our gracious expects; Teresa Dirsuweit (Urban Renewal), Masego Gaorekwe (Animal agriculture focus), Walied (Civil engineering) and Izle Wessels (International architect).

Three hours of discussion and research passed too quickly.  The mentors and coaches enjoyed a final cup of coffee whilst learners reviewed research presentation options. All teams left inspired, grateful for the opportunity and for dedicated experts who professionally shared their knowledge.

Written By: Dr Patricia Gouws

UNISA SCIENCE CAMPUS CELEBRATES 2019 NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK

The University of South Africa (Unisa), in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), celebrated the 2019 National Science Week (NSW) on Monday, 29  July 2019 to Friday, 2 August 2019 with a diverse collection of exhibits from CAES and CSET.  The exhibits included I-SET’s robotics, geography, engineering, astronomy, cyber security, consumer sciences, chemistry, mathematics, agriculture and nature conservation. The exhibition was open to schools and the public from 10:00 to 11:00 from Monday to Thursday. Workshops and lab tours were conducted from 11:30 to 13:00. The workshops and tours included a tour to the horticulture centre and engineering laboratory, as well as robotics workshops, a climate change debate, chemistry experiments and astronomy talks.

On Friday,  2 August  2019 the exhibitors were invited by the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation to the Diepsloot Combined School sports grounds for its Thari programme’s annual career expo.

The Inspired towards Science, Engineering and Technology (I-SET), a CSET community engagement flagship project, is one of the 2019 SAASTA grant holders for this national event. The aim of the NSW themed “Facing the harsh realities of climate change” was to promote science, engineering and technology.

Unisa hosted a total of 650 learners and members of the general public this year. We hope we have equipped the learners with the necessary skills needed in the real world as they go and pursue careers in science, engineering and technology.

Follow I-SET on  Facebook and Twitter for more information.

• CSET Facebook: Unisa College of Science, Engineering and Technology
• CSET Twitter: @UnisaScience

 

Andzani Sibiya

I-SET Science Communication Practitioner

I-SET ‘on it again’ in Mseleni!

On 24 – 26 June 20019, South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) and the Inspired towards Science Engineering and Technology (I-SET), team Mmafani Serote and Tinotenda Mashiri facilitated a three day Techno-Youth Program (TYP) robotics training workshop at the Christopher Meyer Math and Science Centre in Mseleni, Kwazulu Natal. 60 pupils from three local schools took part in the three-day event which was aimed at upskilling both educators and learners in understanding the basics of robotics and artificial intelligence as a whole.

The event kick-started upon the duo’s arrival (Mashiri & Serote) on day one, where the learners were put in two groups and tasked to build a Riley Rover robot, and do a bit of programming to make the robot do simple navigations like moving forward and backwards, turning, making sound etc. Assembling the robot pleasured the pupils quite well, but programming it and seeing it in motion really delighted them exceedingly. For children living in the countryside, it was very stunning how well they perceived all that they learnt during the workshop.

 Day two was more fun and the enthusiasm was even more outstanding. The young innovators were assigned to attach different types of sensors to their robots, and program the robot utilising the sensors. By the end of the day, it was spectacle watching the Riley Rover using its “eyes and sense of touch”, doing many different navigations as it was programmed by these young bucks from Mseleni.

On the third and final day of the workshop, the leaners showcased all they had learned during the 3-day class. They had to attempt the Virtual Gear Cruise Control Challenge 2018/19. This was the very first time for these learners taking part in such a challenge and both teams (Ambitious and Lego Dudes) did profoundly well even though they did not manage to finish all the missions. They needed more time to modify their robots and do the relevant measurements to make the programs more precise. However, come December when SAASTA hosts the TYP national competition, everyone will have a taste of these little pioneers and hopefully break wide open the 4IR doors to the Mseleni community.

For more info on I-SET visit our Facebook and Twitter Pages.

Written by:

Tino Mashiri

I-SET Facilitator

I-SET Astronomy Team View the Night Sky at Mountain Cambridge School

On the evening of 6 June 2019, the I-SET Mobile and Astronomy Team were invited to present a night viewing at the Mountain Cambridge School near Hartebeespoort Dam.

The team was welcomed graciously.  To start the event,  Andri demonstrated a planet walk with the Grade 5 pupils (27 learners) using fruits and nuts of different sizes to depict the planets.  The learners were knowledgeable and enjoyed the exercise which lasted about an hour.  This allowed the rest of the team time to set-up and prepare for the viewing.

At 17h00 Derck presented a “Quick Tour of the Universe” to the school staff, learners and parents.  After this introduction to the sky, a viewing evening for sky-enthusiastic viewers started.   Two hundred and eight (280) pairs of eyes used five portable telescopes to look at the Moon, Jupiter, the open cluster known as Herschell’s Jewel Box, a globular cluster called Omega Centauri and a planetary nebula known as the Blue Planetary.  Everyone enjoyed the celestial experience.  “It was amazing!”

The viewing ended at 20:30 (i.e. the learners still had school the next day).  All telescopes were safely packed and loaded into the I-SET Mobile by 21:00

The I-SET Mobile and Astronomy Team thank the Mountain Cambridge school for the opportunity to share a night-viewing.  Schools are welcome to invite the team to arrange a night viewing … note however that the availability and suitability depends on the phase of the moon and planet alignments!  Watch the Space!

For more information you are welcome to contact Prof Derck Smits (smitsdp@unisa.ac.za ) or Dr Patricia Gouws (gouwspm@unisa.ac.za ).

For more info on I-SET visit our Facebook and Twitter Pages.

Written by Patricia Gouws and Derck Smits

I-SET Mobile Unit travels to Tshwane South College (ODI campus)

On the 29 March 2019, the Inspired towards Science, Engineering and Technology (I-SET) community engagement flagship project of CSET traveled to the Tshwane South TVET College (ODI campus) situated North West of Pretoria with the I-SET Mobile Unit. I-SET was invited by myCareer Corner (MCC) an NGO for education in collaboration with Waterkloof Rotary. The community relationship started in 2015 between Rotary, MCC and I-SET. FIRST Lego League has also been included in this multi-faceted learning initiative.
However, a new dimension was added to the MCC portfolio, when MCC was offered a venue within the Tshwane South ODI campus. MCC will be hosting Saturday tutoring for learners and weekday robotics training for students in the new on campus venue, Rotary is behind all the education initiatives, and I-SET brings robotics to the party. The I-SET Mobile Unit also adds the opportunity to engage with the learners in Physics and Chemistry experiments as part of their tutoring.

To introduce the College students to robotics (and encourage them to sign up as volunteers), MCC invited I-SET to present two robotics workshops. The initially sceptical students were transformed into focused robot builders and programmers within the hour. As per usual, there was never enough time to finish just that last mission. Students were quick to add their names to the MCC volunteer list!
Sincere thanks to MCC, Rotary and FIRST for making robotics available to the Tshwane South College students.

For more about I-SET, visit our Facebook and Twitter Pages.

Written by: Dr Patricia Gouws

TZANEEN TEAM SCORES THE HIGHEST POINTS FOR TYP CHALLENGE

As the journey continues, the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) together with the Inspired towards Science, Engineering and Technology (I-SET), a community engagement flagship project of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) progresses with the Techno Youth Programme (TYP) in Lenyenye, Tzaneen from 24-26 June 2019.

I-SET’s Andzani Sibiya and Casper Van Staden successfully hosted 48 grade 8-12 learners for the three-day programme. It was impressive to arrive at a centre where the learners were so hungry for knowledge. On the first day, the learners were taught how to build and program the Riley Rover Robot using the Lego Education Mindstorm Core Set. On the second day, the learners were excited to be working on the Cruise Control Gear challenge that they refused to go for lunch. Everyone just wanted to score high points that it was their main objective. As the day progressed and it was time to knock off. The learners were taken to the stadium to play Golf until 16h00. The last day got a little hectic and intense as the time for the Gear Competition approached. To our surprise, almost every team scored at least more than 70 points on all three rounds making 95 the highest scoring points, which is very impressive. No team since the beginning of TYP had scored such high points and I-SET wishes them and all other teams the best for the final competition in December 2019.

We would also like to thank Peter Maleta from the Greater Tzaneen Foundation for his dedication and faith in these learners as well as the Circuit Manager Mr Kgomo for his presence.

For more info on I-SET visit our Facebook and Twitter Pages.

Written by:

Andzani Sibiya

I-SET Science Communication Practitioner

I-SET GEARS UP MAFIKENG FOR THE 4TH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION DURING TYP

The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) together with the Inspired towards Science, Engineering and Technology (I-SET), a community engagement flagship project of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) continues with the Techno Youth Programme (TYP) drive; as they travel to Mafikeng, North West to host Z.M Seatlholo Secondary School from Lotlhakane Village and Mmabatho High School from Mmabatho.

Andzani Sibiya and Tumelo Molaba from I-SET hosted 58 learners for a three-day robotics workshop at the North West University (NWU), Mafikeng Campus from 12-14 June 2019. The TYP journey will continue as the I-SET team travel to other provinces across the country to develop teams that will represent each province for the ‘Cruise Control’ Virtual Gear competition in December 2019.

Day one, the group of 58 learners were divided into five groups of 10 learners where they built and programmed their Riley Rover robots which highlighted the importance of using robotics to explore science, technology, and engineering and mathematics concepts. They were challenged to program their robots to move forward, backwards and turn a corner using the EV3 Lego Mindstorm software.

Day 2 got a little intense. The learners were introduced to sensors. They all improved when it came to working as a team, less tantrums were thrown and order was well maintained from all five groups. On the last day, ‘The Incredibles’ team impressed everyone by scoring 75 points on all three rounds of robot game. They led the competition and became the winning team for the day.

I-SET continues the journey across provinces to train other teams that will represent their province in December 2019 for the TYP ‘Cruise Control’ Virtual Gear competition that will be  held in Mafikeng, North West.  Next province is Burgersfort, Limpopo hope you ready for us. For more about I-SET, visit our Facebook and Twitter Pages.

 

Written By:

Andzani Sibiya

I-SET Science Communication Practitioner

I-SET AND SAASTA OUT IN BURGERSFORT, LIMPOPO FOR TYP

The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) together with the Inspired towards Science, Engineering and Technology (I-SET), a community engagement flagship project of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) hosted the 2019 three days Techno Youth Programme (TYP) at Lehlaba Secondary School.

The purpose of the 3-day workshop was to prepare the learners for TYP Virtual Gear competition that will be hosted by SAASTA in December in Mafikeng, North West.

I-SET’s Andzani Sibiya and Vutivi Ngwenya represented UNISA and Peter Maleta represented Lehlaba Science Centre from the Greater Tzaneen Foundation. The workshops ran from 18-20 June 2019 where 32 grade 8-12 learners from five different high schools from Burgersfort town in Limpopo.

On day one, the learners were group in four groups of 6-7 learners. The teams were challenged to design their own logos and develop slogans to complement their logos. It was impressive to see how engaged the learners were, the creativity amongst the grade 8-12 learners was phenomenal. Vutivi Ngwenya involved the learners in icebreaker challenges, which allowed them to get to know each other and feel like one big family.

Day 2 for Burgersfort was more intense because they began building their Riley Rover robots, other learners even modified their Riley Rovers by inserting fancy wheels. They also learned how to program their robots to move forward, backwards, turn a corner, add and program a colour sensor, a touch sensor and an ultrasonic sensor. On the last day, the learners were challenged to add passive and power attachments to their robots, which would allow it to push, pull, lift and drop elements. Sibiya and Ngwenya allowed the learners to work towards the virtual gear “Cruise Control” challenge that will prepare them for the TYP competition hosted in December 2019. For more pictures, visit our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Written By:

Andzani Sibiya

I-SET Science Communication Practitioner

The End of the GEAR Cruise

Good morning all,

Thank you for cruising with us!  we shall all take a breather (to write/mark exams!).  However, we shall then be back after the holidays … and then FLL season starts.  Please register your FLL team BEFORE the holidays … the end of July is around the corner.

UNISA FLL competition is 12 October … so its going to be a busy September/October holidays.

We shall be organising a Research day again at UNISA Florida Campus (with virtual link). Details to follow 🙂

Kindly

I-SET team!