Energy flows through Zwaanswyk Primary School

Today the MTN Sciencentre was host to 3 different school groups today, one of which were the Grade 7's of Zwaanswyk Primary School in Retreat.

The class was very well behaved and a pleasure to teach and the MTN Sciencentre's specialty Science Show was a favourite amongst the learners. The amusement and excitement did not stop there, however, and much fun was had with the hands on learning of the Transfer of energy through Steam Turbines.  

Enthusiastic learners from Zwaanswyk Primary experimenting with the Gyroscopic Wheel

Another exciting day goes by at the MTN Sciencentre. Stay posted for more magical stories of exploration and scientific ingenuity! 

Don't forget to visit our website http://www.mtnsciencentre.org.za for more information on THE NEXT STEP, 'cos remember - your support is our future! 

A message from Professor Mike Bruton, founding director of The MTN Sciencentre

Mike Bruton serves on the Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Committee of the MTN Sciencentre, and retains a strong involvement in science education through his public lectures and training programmes.   

Below Mike clears up some confusion based around the announcement of
UWC ‘science centre’ and our science centre

"One of the weaknesses with the concept of a ‘science centre’ is that it means so many things to different people. The announcement by the University of the Western Cape (UWC) last weekend that they will shortly be building a multi-million Rand ‘science centre’ is a case in point. What they are building is a five-storey science teaching and research laboratory as a component of the university’s ongoing expansion programme. This will strengthen their capacity to train and offer research facilities to tertiary students, but it will not contribute to developing the potential of young learners at school, or unplugging the bottleneck between secondary and tertiary education.

The MTN Sciencentre is a completely different place. It has interactive displays and a wide variety of educational programmes, offered by its own staff and also by other organisations that use it as an educational platform. The science centre contributes in many ways to preparing young people for careers in science and technology. One of them is to enthuse them about the excitement of science so that they are more receptive to their teachers in classrooms at school.

Interactive science centres are populated with displays that are designed from the outset to educate people, young and old, of all language groups and cultures. They do not compete with schools or universities; they complement them, and achieve unique goals of their own.

One of the strengths of the concept of a ‘science centre’ is that no two are alike as they each mould themselves according to the needs of their local community."

- Mike Bruton




Don't forget to visit our website http://www.mtnsciencentre.org.za for more information on THE NEXT STEP, your support is our future! 

A very successful Open Day for all

The Science Centre hosted an Open Day on Saturday, 7 August during National Science Week and invited the public to say goodbye to us in our present location. Admission was free of charge to all and a rough head count showed that over 2000 young scientists attended this special day.

Watch this space for details of our next Open Day & 10th Anniversary Farewell Celebrations - coming soon!





Visit our website for more info and ways in which YOU can help us take THE NEXT STEP.
http://www.mtnsciencentre.org.za

THE NEXT STEP

A letter from the Director of the MTN Sciencentre

I would like to take to this opportunity to share with you the exciting news of our next step. 

The MTN Sciencentre, Cape Town’s world-class interactive science centre, will be closing its doors to the public on 12 September 2010 at Canal Walk, to prepare for a multimillion rand relocation and refurbishment project and its re-launch as the “Cape Town Science Centre”.

During our ten year history, the Centre has seen over one million visitors, including hundreds of thousands of learners, introduced to the exciting, fun and vibrant dynamics of science through world class exhibits designed to enrich the school curriculum and equip learners by increasing their skill and understanding of science, technology and maths.

We want to especially thank the public of Cape Town and, in particular, wish to pay tribute to and acknowledge the incredible support and sizeable investment we have received over the past decade from MTN SA and the MTN SA Foundation, whose support has been invaluable.

 

Temporary Base and continuing Outreach Programme

The Science Centre will be relocating to a temporary base from where it will run its outreach programme and an intensive fundraising drive.

The Western Cape Education Department Mobile Science Centre school outreach programme will not be interrupted by the move and will continue to serve schools throughout the Western Cape. Other outreach activities for the general public are also planned as we wait to open in a new venue.

 

New premises

We are looking forward to the next phase in the growth cycle of the Science Centre with tremendous anticipation.  Canal Walk has been a great home during these formative years to help us establish a world-renowned facility.  It is now time to take the next step and secure affordable premises that can accommodate a facility of this magnitude.

One of the main criteria for the selection of the new premises is its accessibility to all communities in the Western Cape. Proximity to public transport, ample parking and more space to accommodate exhibitions of international standard, and extra facilities such as a science teachers’ resource centre, specialised science and technology education laboratories and outdoor exhibition space, will make the new Cape Town Science Centre a much more efficient and attractive destination and educational facility.

We would further like to thank the Western Cape Education Department for providing us with interim grant funding to assist during the relocation period. We are also grateful to MTN SA Foundation, which has already committed to funding a state-of-the-art multimedia centre in the new Science Centre and the Department of Science and Technology for the grant to move our Camera Obscura to new premises.

I am confident that the new Cape Town Science Centre will continue to be a living, learning centre that is environmentally friendly, inspiring and life changing.  It will continue to reveal the wonders of science to inquiring minds of all ages and, in so doing, add to the development of South Africa as a whole.

Through our e-news letter we will keep you informed on our progress with regular updates and news of our new location.

Please visit our interactive website for more any further info you may require:
http://www.mtnsciencentre.org.za

 

We need your support

• To contribute to our future growth and help the Cape Town Science Centre take its next step, please contact me directly on 083 276 9501, email julie.cleverdon@mtnsciencentre.org.za.

• Further, should you feel suitably inspired, we would appreciate you voicing your thoughts to your favourite media

Yours sincerely
Julie Cleverdon
Director of the MTN Sciencentre

MTN Sciencentre is closing in Canal Walk