Pack your lunch and head to Sci-Bono

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Pack your lunch and head to Sci-Bono

From the outside the vast Old Electric Workshop in Newtown, Johannesburg looks rather dull, living up to its former purpose. But in the early nineties the building developed a reputation for being home to what is fondly known as the Mecca of all parties. Some who come to reminisce are clearly to caught up in the past to notice the three meter high sign that now hangs in front of the building with the words: SCI-BONO DISCOVERY CENTRE.

The Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is Gauteng’s flagship Science Centre and the biggest in Southern Africa. This centre opened its doors in 2004 with the main aim of supporting education in mathematics, science and technology to improve public engagement with science, engineering and technology and to promote career education in these critical areas of the economy.

Walking into Sci-Bono one would be mesmerized by the two planes hanging on the roof, a Wright Flyer and an Air Force Cheetah. The planes, both technological innovations of modern humankind, have been hung side by side as if to prove a point of how humans have advanced as a result of science, mathematics and technology.

The huge space that was used for nineties parties is still there but the difference now is that the space is occupied by more than three hundred fun and interactive science, maths and technology exhibits. This is now the Mecca of science education and entertainment.

Being a section 21 company, Sci-Bono has also relied on corporate partnerships to sponsor some of its exhibits. The Murray and Roberts construction site is one of such exhibits sponsored by corporates. This site is popular with kids of various ages and has also been used for corporate team building sessions.

The BMW exhibition shows the technology behind the car while the ESKOM exhibition shows the workings of electricity and electromagnetic fields in components, homes and industries.

To live true to the aim of demystifying science there is the laid back Hip Corner which has been funded by the Hip2B² Foundation. In this area visitors get to interact with computer based educational games ranging from microscopes to archaeology and dinosaur fossils, all this happening in a set up that is relaxed and more inviting for kids.

Sci-Bono is also happens to be a good party venue with birthday parties hosted for all age groups. The party package includes free entrance into the centre, a guided tour as well as a science show.

To cater for family outings Sci-Bono offers seating areas for parents as well as an eating area. A coffee shop and a science memento shop will be opening soon.

Sci-Bono is the only science centre in Africa and one of very few centres in the world that extends beyond the conventional science centre function of promoting interest and awareness in science, engineering and technology.

Besides serving as Southern Africa’s flagship science centre, Sci-Bono supports the GDE in three areas being Curriculum Support, Career Education and Teacher Development and Support.

As this has enlarged the offerings of Sci-Bono, it has therefore necessitated expansion of the centre. Recently a ZAR125 million education centre was opened on the eastern wing of the Electric Workshop. The education wing boasts of a 250 seater auditorium, 4 multipurpose rooms, 2 restaurant and catering venues; a VIP lounge and boardroom and various other presentation, retail and exhibition areas.

The opening of the education centre has allowed Sci-Bono to venture into the conferencing business through the offering of normal as well as customized conferencing services.

From the outside Sci-Bono is an enigma and once you walk inside you are given a completely different picture. This place is sure one of the best kept secrets of Johannesburg and that is likely to change. More public events are planned and a major soccer exhibition will be unveiled early in 2010. So why not pack a lunch and take your family to the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown for an experience that will have you coming back for more. A mere entrance fee of R20 for adults and R10 for kids does not match the experience you receive.

More information:

http://www.sci-bono.co.za/

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November 2009	Education