B & M Scientific ignited a passion for science within the hearts of Manyano High School learners when we hosted our “Love Science Expo” at the school last week.
The event aimed to encourage learners to pursue careers in science-related industries and took place on 23 March.
Event organiser, Donald Puza, says the idea behind the event was sparked by the decline in the number of learners choosing maths and science subjects which excludes them from pursuing tertiary studies in science, technology and engineering fields.
“The learners see maths and science as “too difficult” so they tend to choose subjects that they think are easier to pass,” explains Donald.
As a supplier of affordable equipment to labs across Africa, B & M scientific feels that urgent intervention is needed to raise awareness about the opportunities that await learners if they only believe in themselves.
Donald adds: “The learners think these subjects are too difficult because they don’t trust themselves. They don’t trust that what is within them is enough. They don’t have confidence in themselves. We need to change that narrative.”
Manyano High School principal Nokuzola Malgas agrees, adding that learners should have the courage to pursue careers in science and if they work hard enough they can even apply for bursaries.
“If you study maths and science you can never go wrong. It will always be relevant.”
Our “Love Science Expo” featured industry professionals who spoke to the learners about job opportunities, financing their studies and the importance of science.
University of Stellenbosch PHD student, Nonkosi Matinise, was one of the speakers. She says more events like these are needed so that young people, especially those who are from townships, are exposed to their options: “We seek knowledge but we do not have access to it. These kinds of events help learners to be exposed [to information]”.
She shared her story with the learners.
“I come from the township. I wanted to make them (the students) see that regardless of your background, whatever you want in life is possible,” says the chemistry student.
“I highlighted what you can do if you have a chemistry degree and what kind of jobs you can get. If you are entrepreneurial minded, it is fine, you can still study chemistry and create your own cleaning solutions and beauty products.”
The student also told the learners that she fell in love with science after seeing an experiment at primary school. She could not believe her eyes and thought that science was “magic”.
“From that day I wanted to be a scientist,” says Nonkosi.
Principal Malgas added that the students enjoyed the experiments the most: “It was an eye-opener for all of us. We need to promote science and make it interesting. The aim of the event was to ignite the love for science and that was achieved.”
Donald adds: “We are happy that the learners enjoyed the event and that we have managed to transform their mindset and ignite a passion and love for maths and science.”
B & M Scientific would like to thank everyone who assisted in making the event a reality.
Thank you to our keynote speakers Dr. Takalani Mulaudzi, Kaylin Hendricks, Nzumbululo Ndou, Nonkosi Matinise, Mr. Yaga from iThemba Lab and Kiviet from UCT.
We also would like to thank Enid Heynes, Ebrain Johnson, Pfuzo Gavhi, Kundani Khameli from UWC and Sthembele Harmans from Iziko Museum for hosting exhibition and information tables at the event. Our gratitude also goes out to our generous sponsors. Most importantly, thank you to Principal Malgas and the educators at Manyano High School for allowing us to host the event at the school and share our love of science with the learners.
We hope that after this event some Manyano High School learners are inspired to become science superheroes!
