| 1. |
The AstroQuiz is a science competition for Grade 7 learners, which is based on astronomyrelated themes and linked to the "Earth and Beyond" section of the Natural Sciences syllabus. |
| 2. |
The AstroQuiz is a project funded by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) and run provincially by the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO). This project is aimed at:
- encouraging an interest in science in primary schools;
- improving classroom practice;
- creating awareness and insight into basic astronomy, science and mathematics; and
- fostering an interest in career opportunities in astronomy and other sciences.
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| 3. |
The AstroQuiz has been successfully implemented in the province since 2006 and interest in this competition has been phenomenal. Observatory Junior, for example, has represented the province at national level for the past two years. There are also attractive prizes on offer for the winning school. |
| 4. |
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) encourages schools to participate in the 2014 AstroQuiz. |
| 5. |
From 2014 the AstroQuiz competition will be run provincially in both English and Afrikaans. A school that wins the provincial finals will need to prepare their learners to participate in English at national level. |
| 6. |
The resource pack for the AstroQuiz and previous years' question papers will be delivered to participating schools by the SAAO. However, the resource pack for Afrikaans will be available on the SAAO AstroQuiz website: www.astroquiz.saao.ac.za
As soon as SAASTA sends printed copies of the Afrikaans resource pack and exemplars to the SAAO, they will be delivered to schools.
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| 7. |
The WCED requests that all schools use the AstroQuiz resource pack and question papers to give learners practice in writing the quiz. This should be an open-book activity for groups of learners, with each group working as a team. |
| 8. |
Details and important dates regarding the quiz are provided in the attached quiz information document (Astroquiz2014_Advert-1). |
| 9. |
The first two rounds of the provincial AstroQuiz will be held at school level. Round 1 will be held on Friday, 25 April 2014 and Round 2 on Friday, 23 May 2014. Schools are encouraged to participate with as many teams as possible in the first round. Only one team per school may participate in the second round. Schools may arrange to participate in these two rounds online. Learners participating may not take resource material into the quiz venue. |
| 10. |
Provincial Rounds 3 and 4 will be held on the same day, Friday, 29 August 2014, at the SAAO in Observatory, Cape Town. The SAAO will be responsible for transporting teams to the provincial Rounds 3 and 4 and the final national event. The winning school will represent the province in the national competition, which will be held on Friday, 31 October 2014. The venue for the final national event will be announced at a later stage. |
| 11. |
Interested schools must register for the quiz directly with the SAAO via the AstroQuiz website: http://astroquiz.saao.ac.za. The online system requires Internet Explorer 9 (or a later version), Firefox or Safari if using Mc.OS. Make sure to install the latest version. Trial quizzes are available after registration. |
| 12. |
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the SAAO directly. You can also visit their website for more information. Their details are:
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| 13. |
Principals are requested to bring this minute to the attention of all Grade 7 Natural Sciences teachers. |
SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT
DATE: 2014:02:27
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