Are scientists, engineers and technologists born or can we nuture them?

Abstract

Growing the economy in the short term generates the need for sustained skills development in key areas. Without any long term strategic interventions starting at school level South Africa will be forced to continue importing professionals even though the innate potential currently resides in classrooms around the country. Poor quality teaching in the areas of Science, Mathematics and Technology is resulting in few learners pursuing careers in the hard sciences. The current education system continues to promote mediocrity through a sausage factory where poor information results in a matriculation certificate with no long term value to all concerned. The Young Engineers of South Africa (YESA), in association with the Meraka Institute is aimed at generating a pipeline to provide stimulating interventions starting at preschool level through to grade 12. Hands on challenges which promote the use of real-world tools, with a strong ICT foundation and which encourage creativity and innovation leading to knowledge generation. Group work, communication, research, application, construction and fun learning are integral components of many of the extra mural activities that are available. It is imperative that more career changing interventions are made available to schools together with the support structures to promote Science, Engineering and Technology. Critical information relating to career guidance and entrepreneurial opportunities from a number of stakeholders are promoted through such programmes as TekkiTots, Kids Clubs using Lego, MobilEd for learning using cell phones, F1 in Schools, a Space School, Ulwazi Virtual Interactive Classroom Project, etc