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DACST's Innovative Science and Technology Awards Scheme makes a little go a long way
by Monique Knoetze, CSIR of South Africa
Public response to the drive by The Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology (DACST),
South Africa, to promote Public Understanding of Science, Engineering and Technology (PUSET) was extremely enthusiastic and has resulted in 98 proposals being submitted in the 1999/2000 year's PUSET Awards Scheme. The CSIR inter-disciplinary team tasked to co-ordinate the selection of these projects was impressed by this response and has announced that some 19 projects - spanning urban and rural audiences in all provinces - made it through the selection process, and have now been completed.
The Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology (DACST) launched its inaugural Year of Science, Engineering and Technology in 1998 and demonstrated its commitment to engaging the public's participation in linking more closely the Science and the Society that supports it. Keen to maintain this momentum and to demonstrate its ongoing support for further development of the Public's Understanding in these fields, the Department opted for a key event; an annual Focus Week in 3 provinces over a 3 year period that commenced in March 2000. This year National SET Week is celebrated from 5 - 10 March, and will focus on the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Northern Province.
Alongside the Science Engineering and Technology (SET) Focus Week, as an innovative pilot project, DACST made available the PUSET Awards Scheme. A total of R500 000 was allocated for small projects that focused on the three thrust areas of Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Outreach Science Engineering and Technology and Building Community Partnerships through SET. The basic requirement was that projects should provide a wide range of stimulating and interactive experiences of SET and their applications for individuals of all ages, interests and backgrounds.
"The benefit of allocating small grants of up to R30 000 is that selection would be made from a broad spread of quality proposals, as the tender amount did not in itself appear to be threatening. In addition, according to analyses done, additional funding in excess of R2 million was leveraged through this award scheme, as well as the direct involvement of no less than 32 institutions active in national SET development initiatives. These institutions ranged from small, local NGOs across South Africa, to the Universities and the Science Councils," says CSIR's Charles Wyeth, national coordinator for the 1999/2000 PUSET Awards Scheme.
Innovation was key to all projects and every effort was made to improve access for the girl-child, rural communities, the youth and other historically disadvantaged segments of the community. One particular project aimed to explore the thoughts and theories that young learners hold about how Science and Technology impact on their lives, through the medium of Art. (The idea is that culture, which permeates thought, will be reflected in the Art expressions of learners. The project focused on 3 areas in the Western Cape which have been prominent in the news and explored how learners internalized the impact of natural disasters, man-made disasters and environmental control).
The projects spanned, amongst others, Science Theatre aimed at demystifying SET in Western Cape; a Gauteng-based programme which facilitates understanding of genetic modification of foods and allows students to debate issues and make informed decisions; a quarterly Technology magazine written by Educators which reached 2200 schools in the Western and Eastern Cape; a Girls' Science Camp in rural Kwazulu Natal; a state-of-the-art African Renaissance Display at the MTN Sciencentre and an increased awareness amongst Kwazulu Natal farmers about the potential role of traditional indigenous crops and the identification of a traditional maize storage system.
At least four of the projects participated in the Focus Weeks in Northern Cape, Western Cape and North West Provinces in 2000. There were several instances of institutional collaboration and presentation of at least four of the projects (Girls' Science Camp, AfricaBio, MTN Sciencentre, HartRAO) at the SAASTEC and PUSET conferences, which indicates that the work was more widely shared. Other benefits of the programme included the high-level of co-operation and sharing of resources between different organizations and the capacity building component across the board.
Although all activities are not yet complete, records indicate that currently 2375 schools were directly reached through this programme, as well as a minimum of 14 256 learners. Interactive workshops directly reached 1056 educators and other members of the public such as parents and youth, who participated in programmes totaled 21 688 according to statistics. The conservative recorded total of 37 000 participants to date indicates that R500 000 of public money spent wisely can, in fact, go a long way.
Given the high level of leveraging of funds and the large number of learners, educators and other individuals reached through this initiative, an opportunity would be missed if DACST did not choose to implement the Awards Scheme as part of its broader PUSET plan. The 1999 PUSET Awards Scheme has proven that DACST can strengthen the effectiveness of the democratic process through better informed debate on issues of public concern arising in SET, and truly make "a little go a long way".
Issued by: CSIR. The CSIR is the largest R&D and implementation technology agency in Africa with a track record spanning more than 50 years. Structured around 8 distinct business areas, it delivers innovation and technology solutions in support of its clients and stakeholders. See www.csir.co.za or contact +27 (0)12 841 2000.
Media enquiries:
Monique Knoetze
Cellular: 083 603 0066
Tel: (021) 888 2451
Fax: (021) 888 2693
E-mail: mknoetze@csir.coza
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