Science lab rolls out in Soweto

Learners at Soweto schools will benefit from a mobile science laboratory, where they will be able to conduct experiments and so better understand the world of science.
REJOICE Ratlhallane, a 17-year old matriculant at Thomas Mofolo High School in Soweto, is delighted that she will now be able to carry out science experiments, thanks to a new mobile science laboratory.

minister HanekomDeputy minister Derek Hanekom launches the mobile science labThe laboratory, fully equipped with the necessary apparatus, including test tubes, microscopes, syringes, projectors and generators, was donated to the University of Johannesburg (UJ) by the Department of Science and Technology. The handover took place on Friday, 5 August, at UJ, during National Science Week, which ran from 2 to 7 August.

The university will manage the lab, which will be sent into the field, where it will work with schools in Soweto.

Speaking on behalf of the learners, Rejoice, who wants to become a scientist, said the facility would go a long way towards improving the learners’ understanding of the world of science.

“The mobile lab will help supplement exciting experiments since the mobile lab has everything scientific. The centre will serve as a means to develop disadvantaged schools and will also help bring about desired change to local societies.

“Learners in Soweto will no longer have any reasons to feel inferior or discriminated against. Being educated means having access to optimal states of mind regardless of the situation or the environment you are in,” she said.

Earlier this year, Rejoice won awards as the top learner in chemistry and English. “The lab is a perfect opportunity for me to work hard in maths and science subjects. The world we are living in is governed by technology. Today we can travel from Joburg to Pretoria in just 35 minutes using Gautrain because of scientists,” she added.

Inspired by the youngster’s sentiments, Science and Technology Deputy Minister Derek Hanekom encouraged the learners to soldier on towards their goals. He said it was possible for one to have a dream and believe in it.

“A cure for HIV/Aids must come out of this generation of brilliant minds. This laboratory must be the beginning of great science experiences and experiments here in Soweto. Focus on your studies and you will achieve your goals and aspirations. You heard Rejoice; she is an amazing young lady with a bright future ahead,” said Hanekom.

The lab will be rotated around Soweto schoolsThe lab will be rotated around Soweto schoolsThe annual National Science Week is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology. It is a countrywide celebration of science that involves various stakeholders and role players, who conduct science activities.

The laboratory will be rotated around schools in Soweto to help learners with their science studies.

On the day, the deputy director of science at the University of Johannesburg, Professor Azwindini Muronga, demonstrated various chemistry and physics experiments.

One of the physics experiments that grabbed the attention of learners was a demonstration of how cold and heat affect air pressure. In performing the exercise, a balloon was filled with cold air and was then heated; a few minutes after being heated, it burst.

The scientific conclusion, explained Muronga, was that “as molecules heat and move faster they are moving apart, so air, like most other substances, expands when heated and contracts when cooled … Because there is more space between the molecules, the air is less dense than the surrounding matter and hot air floats upwards.”