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INTERACTIVE SCIENCE CENTRES
 Why do we need Interactive Science Centres?
Showcase on the Discovery Centre
Why do we need Interactive Science Centres?
Globally, established networks of interactive science centres prove that these facilities are vital in strengthening
a culture of science. South Africa's Minister Ngubane announced the launch of a Commonwealth Science Council programme called ‘CommQuest’ which aims to provide a platform in Commonwealth countries to highlight the crucial role that science and technology plays in sustainable development.
According to Minister Ngubane, "CommQuest seeks to find innovative ways of improving PUSET by encouraging the development and use of interactive science discovery
centres. These science discovery centres will complement conventional teaching and learning methods and encourage an interest in science and technology, especially among young
people."
The Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology embarks this year "on an active campaign to develop a network of science discovery centres in South Africa, and will call on all stakeholders to contribute to this important
initiative."
Science in Africa takes a look into the role that interactive science centres have played in Southern Africa.
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THE DISCOVERY CENTRE: WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE DO
 Since 1992 The Discovery Centre, has been promoting Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) amongst learners and the general public, through interactive exhibits in situ at community venues.
Why? As a contribution to developing a national culture of S&T literacy, through communicating scientific principles to citizens where they learn, work and live.
The results: over 800,000 people have participated in these learning experiences nation wide - for free.
Our core competency lies in transporting a collection of interactive exhibits to community venues. We have visited schools, libraries, town halls, museums, universities and shopping malls across the country. For many learners attending under-resourced schools, these exhibits provide the only 3-D, interactive illustration of the scientific principles they are studying. In addition to the benefits of experiencing an interactive science exhibition in their own environment, this collection brings added value through being
· Mobile. The exhibits are designed for easy moving. Typically, the breakdown, transport to a different venue and set -up of the new exhibition takes one day.
· Closely curriculum-related. The exhibits cover topics relating to energy, electricity, mechanics, optics, sound, light, and even nuclear energy and astronomy. They can also be displayed according to the themes of the national curriculum for the natural sciences, viz. Planet Earth and Beyond, Life and Living, Matter and Materials and Energy and Change
· An action research environment. Over the years we have conducted research into visitor response, usage rates by schools, popularity and robustness of exhibits, and impact assessment at schools.
This Outreach Programme has reached over 750,000 visitors, usually free of charge at over 85 exhibition venues nation-wide since 1992. The collection of exhibits was loaned to the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology in 1998 as part of the national road show for the Year of Science and Technology. Since then it has participated in the SET weeks in both the Eastern and Western Cape Provinces.
A second programme, The DiscoveryMobile, a science-exhibition-on-wheels, visits schools. Since January 1999 it has reached over 260 schools, 65 000 visitors and 850 teachers. The DiscoveryMobile consists of 40 interactive exhibits and simulations, and is accompanied by lesson plans and worksheets. It is designed for the learners in grades 5 - 9, but it too has been used in various environments - schools for the physically disabled, schools for learners with hearing impairments, and at Pollsmoor Prison.
We have a unique and outstanding record of promoting science awareness in South Africa, and the capacity to do so elsewhere in Africa.
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