PENREACH: STEAM

PREPARING CHILDREN TO PURSUE CAREERS IN SCARCE SKILLS

Penreach Shalamuka STEAM Centre 

MAKING 21ST CENTURY LEARNING POSSIBLE FOR ONE AND ALL SOUTH AFRICANS

 

The Penreach Shalamuka STEAM Centre has been building on the impact of its work since 2012 to add interactive, hands-on, immersive and technology-enabled exhibits and related programmes as a platform for the Mpumalanga community to engage with Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM). Supplemented with creative spaces where educators and learners can collaborate on projects around coding, robotics, design and engineering, the centre has become a hub for STEAM-based learning in Mpumalanga.

Current activities of the centre include practical science experiments, science shows, mini-STEAM projects, Coding & Robotics, digital skills training and interactive science exhibits . The centre also hosts virtual STEAM Communities of Practice with our partner BRIDGE, to promote and develop practice around STEAM-based learning in South Africa.

The centre has a significant impact on the quality of STEAM education in the region. The development is taking place in phases, and once all components of the new facilities are implemented, it is estimated that approximately 50 000 learners will be exposed to intensive educational activities and more than 15 000 people will be visiting the centre annually. This will include a considerable fraction of the region’s teachers and learners. More learners will be reached through outreach activities conducted via the Penreach Science mobile Baylabs.

 

Current activities of the centre include practical science experiments, science shows, mini-STEAM projects, Coding & Robotics, digital skills training and interactive science exhibits . The centre also hosts virtual STEAM Communities of Practice with our partner BRIDGE, to promote and develop practice around STEAM-based learning in South Africa.

Penreach Maths & Science Programme currently reaching:

80

Primary Schools

17

High Schools

67040

Children in Grades 4-7

655

Maths & Science Teachers

17

Schools using digital resources

18900

Children reached via the Mobile Science Lab & Shalamuka Science Centre

The impact of the Penreach Maths & Science programme

59%

59% of learners who achieved above 50% in Maths

67%

67% of learners who achieved above 50% in Science

20%

Average 20% increase of scores in Maths and Science in 2018 (Grades 4-12)

18%

The rate of achievement above 50% for Maths in Grades 4 increased by 18% from 2017 48% to 2018 66%

Penreach Maths & Science projects in Mpumalanga

Teacher Training
Simplify Seminar Series
Mobile Science
ICT-assisted teaching & Learning
Language across curriculum
Communities of Practice
Shalamuka Science Centre

MAKERSPACE

The first phase of the expanded centre is to be completed. The STEAM Makerspace is equipped with technology as well as unplugged equipment to allow educators and learners to participate in mini STEAM projects.

Coding & Robotics support is provided to the 23 pilot schools in Ehlanzeni and partner with I-SET LEGO project  in 2 primary schools (Dwaleni and Masoyi).

Teacher Training in Maths & Science

Whilst access to STEAM education has increased, the quality of teaching has improved at a slower rate.

Interventions that seek to improve the quality of STEAM education are therefore imperative.

It is also crucial to identify and nurture potential in learners in order to increase the pool of potential scientists, engineers and Maths and Science teachers.

Start-of-Term workshops for teachers and HODs on curriculum tracking for the term

Workshops around subject content and pedagogy

REACH

The centre reaches educators, learners, parent volunteers from Early Childhood Development to grade 12 and general public. Educator workshops focus on equipping practitioners, teachers and teacher interns to integrate STEAM-learning into the normal schooling environment through projects and activities. Learners from Grades R to 12 visit the centre and make use of equipment to discover and learn in all areas of STEAM. The centre also hosts several STEAM related competitions per year, including Career expo, Maths day and national science week.

80

Maths, Natural and Physical Science teachers from primary schools

17

Maths, Natural and Physical Science teachers from MTSA High Schools

271

Teachers

52521

Children

Penreach M&S Skills Development Workshops 

Workshops in Maths and Science are open to all teachers, Heads of Department and Subject Advisors and tackle specific challenges that teachers face in the teaching of fundamental maths and science concepts.

It covers work from Foundation phase to Grade 12.

2 Maths Seminars

2 Science Seminars

REACH

200

Teachers per seminar

Mobile Science Laboratories 

86% of the 23 589 public schools in South Africa do not have science labs.

This means that most young scholars don’t get hands-on tuition which would make their learning far more effective because it is demonstrated and practiced.

It also means that many of these aspiring scientists, researchers, engineers and medical specialists start their university careers without ever conducting a practical experiment and without ever handling science equipment.

Access to practical experiments also excites young minds and entice them to consider a career in sciences, which a textbook might never accomplish. 

Our three mobile laboratories called Baylabs bring practical science to under resourced school.

96 Teachers from partner primary and high schools (Grade 4 – 12) receive access to science equipment and coaching on conducting prescribed experiments.

REACH

18900

Children

ICT-assisted Teaching & Learning 

Penreach facilitates digital learning that gives Grade 10-12  teachers and their pupils access to digital content in Maths & Science

The content includes video, assessments and lesson plans aligned to the national curriculum (CAPS).

This is delivered using a laptop, data projector and internet access. Teachers receive support and training from Penreach on how to utilise this tool optimally to improve the understanding of important concepts in these subjects.

Teacher training and support in class

Access to digital resources and Maths & Science for grades 10-12

REACH

17

High Schools

34

Teachers

2550

Children

Language Across Curriculum

Improved outcomes in Maths and Science education will be attained only if equal attention is given to improving English Language competence. 78% of SA children are not able to read for meaning in any language by the end of Grade 3. This can be attributed to the wide use of vernacular, negative attitude towards English and lack of confidence in the use of
English by both learners and educators. This is exacerbated by weak institutional functionality and limited capacity of Heads of Department.

The SACMEQ 2007 research report states that many teachers lack basic content knowledge and pedagogical skills.
32% of Grade 6 teachers in SA had desirable subject knowledge. The figure was even lower in Mpumalanga at only 4%.

Teacher cluster workshops to improve functional English

Maths & Science Oral training and competitions

REACH

32000

Children

Communities of Practice

Penreach facilitates the establishing of Communities of Practice (CoP) in Maths & Science in Mpumalanga with BRIDGE our partner to create communities of excellence able to share experiences and solutions.

Directing the Mpumalanga-based discussion forums on maths & Science education, to assist in coordinating efforts in the province

Maths & Science Oral training and competitions

REACH OUT TO PENREACH

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