Northern Cape gets a science centre

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will open a science centre in the Northern Cape as part of its programme to improve science awareness in schools.

The DST currently sponsors 30 science centres across the country through its Youth in Science programme, and the Mothibistad is the first for Northern Cape. The purpose for the establishment of the science centres it to enhance science and technology literacy among the youth and the public and to nurture youth talent with potential for science and technology based careers.

Deputy Science and Technology minister, Derek Hanekom, will deliver a keynote address at the opening of the first science centre for the province in Mothibistad, next to Kuruman. The event will take place on Friday, 21 October 201.

The department has purchased interactive exhibits worth about R650 000 as part of the initial phase of equipping the science centre.

The Northern Cape Department of Education has provided computers and software for the computer simulations on the astronomy awareness programme run by the South African Astronomical Observatory.

This centre will provide support in the learning and teaching of maths and science to about 197 schools in the catchment area.