1. National Science Week (NSW) is an annual countrywide celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation (STEMI). The National Mathematics Week forms part of the NSW, an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The NSW is managed by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), a business unit of the National Research Foundation (NRF).

2. During the NSW there is a special focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education. The aim is to make these subjects more attractive, engaging and rewarding to learners and the community at large. Schools may highlight the impact of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics on our daily lives and stress their importance as a foundation for various careers. NSW is a vehicle to popularise these subjects and to increase public awareness, understanding and appreciation thereof.

3. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) requests all schools to have special activities based on these subjects during the NSW, which will last from Monday, 08 August to Saturday, 13 August 2016. The ideal would be to involve learners as well as their parents. The emphasis is on being aware of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in our everyday lives, having fun and taking part in an interactive way.

4. The WCED website contains excellent ideas for activities, and information about these can be obtained as follows:

  • open the home page of the WCED;
  • select "Teaching/Curriculum Support" (lower left-hand side);
  • select "National Science and Maths Week" (on the black toolbar at the top left); and
  • select the desired folders.
5. Non-governmental organisations, higher educational institutions and some district officials may have applied for funding from SAASTA to plan and run big projects involving Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics during the NSW. The WCED website will provide a programme of the related activities that will take place in the Western Cape.

6. The WCED would like to offer schools the opportunity to share their activities with officials and other schools in the province. Schools are encouraged to involve district officials and to take photographs and video clips for possible publication on the WCED website. These may be given to subject advisers to upload on the website. Other social media, such as facebook and YouTube, may also be considered.

7. The WCED appreciates the extra efforts of our teachers to bring fun into learning and teaching in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.


SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT
DATE: 2016:06:03