1. The National Natural Sciences Olympiad is a project sponsored by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA). The Olympiad is aimed at:

  • creating an interest in science among learners and encouraging them to study the sciences in the FET Phase;
  • identifying top Natural Sciences learners nationally;
  • supporting Natural Sciences teachers and improving their classroom practice; and
  • identifying talent among Natural Sciences learners.
2. The Olympiad is a stimulating activity which requires entrants to demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving ability, innovativeness and creativity. It supports the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) Strategy for Mathematics and Physical Sciences. There are impressive prizes to be won by the top performers in the Olympiad.

3. In 2014, 1 794 Grade 4 - 6 learners and 2 215 Grades 7 - 9 learners in the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) wrote the Olympiad. The following prizes were awarded to Western Cape winners in the national category:

NAME OF SCHOOL INITIALS AND SURNAME OF LEARNER AWARDS PRIZE
Westerford High N Lambrecht (71%) Top Three National winners (Grades 7 - 9) – Position 3 Lenovo Tablet – 8 inch
Rustenburg Girls High B Rijkmans (72%) Top Three National winners (Grades 7 - 9) – Position 2 Lenovo Tablet – 8 inch
Curro Hermanus R Sauer (72%) Top Learner per Grade – Grade 4 e-Reader/Kindle
Curro Durbanville R McDougall (67%) Top Learner per Grade – Grade 8 e-Reader/Kindle
Star International M Salie (88%) Top Three National winners (Grades 4 - 6) – Position 1 Lenovo Tablet – 10 inch
Star International A Leonard (86%) Top Three National winners (Grades 4 - 6)– Position 2 Lenovo Tablet – 8 inch
Star International N Webb (86%) Top Three National winners (Grades 4 - 6)– Position 2 Lenovo Tablet – 8 inch
Star International A Leonard (86%) Top Girl Learner Nationally (Grades 4 - 6) – Position 1 e-Reader/Kindle
Star International N Webb (86%) Top Girl Learner Nationally (Grades 4 - 6) – Position 1 e-Reader/Kindle
Grove Primary Top Performing School Nationally Position 1 R6,000.00 Voucher for Lab Equipment
Hermanus Primary Top Performing School Nationally Position 3 R3,500.00 Voucher for Lab Equipment

4. Talented learners such as these need to be recognised and encouraged in our schools.

5. The Olympiad is a multiple-choice examination which is offered in English only. It is divided into two categories, i.e. Intermediate Phase and Senior Phase. It will be written from 09:00 – 12:00 on Thursday, 07 May 2015. The closing date for the registration is Friday, 30 January 2015.

6. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) encourages schools to enter promising science learners in Grades 4 - 9 for the 2015 Natural Sciences Olympiad.

7. Note that the Olympiad is compulsory for all learners in Dinaledi Main and Dinaledi Incentive Schools.

8. The participation fee for the Olympiad is R10.00 per learner. The fees must be deposited directly into SAASTA's bank account. The bank details are provided on the entry form. There is no limit on the number of learners that may be entered.

9. Schools are requested to maintain the integrity of the Olympiad through careful invigilation. An irregularity will automatically disqualify a school from the Olympiad.

10. Schools are requested to complete and sign the attached registration forms (Annexure A and B) and return them to the nearest district office or science centre listed in Annexure C. Please ensure that a copy of the registration fee receipt is stapled to the attached registration forms. All completed registration forms should reach various districts offices and/or science centres by no later than 14:00 on Tuesday, 27 January 2015.


SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT
DATE: 2014:12:04

Annexure A & B - Natural Sciences Olympiad registration forms  (size: 188 KB)
Annexure C - Natural Sciences Olympiad Administration 2015  (size: 34 KB)