1. National Science Week is an annual countrywide celebration of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation. It is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology and is managed by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement, a business unit of the National Research Foundation. National Mathematics Week has been incorporated into National Science Week.

2. During National Science Week there is a special focus on science and mathematics education. The aim is to make these subjects more attractive, engaging and rewarding to learners and the community at large.

3. The National Science Week serves as an opportunity for schools to popularise science and mathematics and to increase public awareness, understanding and appreciation of these subjects.

4. Schools are requested to organise special activities based on these subjects during the week of 4 - 9 August 2014. The ideal would be to involve learners as well as their parents. The emphasis is on fun and participation by engaging learners in the world of mathematics and science.

5. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) website contains excellent ideas for activities and can be accessed as follows:

  • Open the home page of the WCED;
  • Select "Teaching/curriculum support" from the column on the left;
  • Select "National Maths and Science week" from the black toolbar at the top;
  • Select the desired folders.
6. Schools are further encouraged to use this opportunity to share their activities with other schools by uploading photographs and video clips on the WCED website. This may be done via the subject adviser in the district. Other social media such as the WCED Facebook page and YouTube may also be considered to help popularise science and mathematics.

7. The Department appreciates the extra efforts of our teachers to demystify and bring fun into learning and teaching mathematics and science.


SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT
DATE: 2014:07:18