1. The National Schools Debates Competition is a project sponsored by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA). The core objectives of the debates competition are to:

  • provide Grades 9 to 11 learners an opportunity to develop research, critical thinking and information literacy skills as well as the ability to work as a team and present logical and clear arguments;
  • encourage learners to examine and talk about scientific issues experienced in their communities, provincially and nationally and how science and technology may or may not resolve these issues;
  • disseminate scientific information to high school learners in a manner that is both fun and interactive in order to stimulate interest;
  • facilitate national dialogue in science, engineering and technology; and
  • promote science, engineering and technology-related careers to learners in South Africa so that they are encouraged to pursue careers in these fields.
2. The competition is open to all learners doing science related subjects in Grades 9 to 11 in all secondary/high schools.

3. To enter the competition schools must:

  • Identify five learners from Grades 9 to 11 to form a team to represent the school in the debates competition.
  • Identify a mentor (educator) to train/coach the learners.
  • Send an email with the name of the mentor (educator), telephone number and the name of the school to: lizelle@wwmedia.co.za or fax: 021 979 5343 to receive an entry form (Addendum C) as well as detailed information about this competition (Addenda A & B).
  • The mentor must work with the learners to prepare them to do research and formulate arguments on the following topic:
    "Do you think nanotechnology should be used in cleaning polluted water?"
  • The learners will be expected to choose one of the following formats to present their arguments:

    Written essay

    • Write an essay of 400-450 words, typed in Arial size 12 font with 1.5 line spacing or in legible, handwritten format.

    Voice recording and script

    • 4 minutes in MP3 format, with a maximum of 5 individual voices that are part of the team delivering the speech.
    • The voice recording should also be accompanied by a script, typed in Arial size 12 font with 1.5 line spacing or in legible, handwritten format.

    Video clip and script

    • 4 minutes in MPEG or MP4 format with a maximum of 5 actors who are part of the team in the video clip.
    • The video clip should also be accompanied by a script, typed in Arial size 12 font with 1.5 line spacing or legible, handwritten format.
  • The mentor must complete, sign and stamp the SAASTA National Schools Debates Entry cover page for 2016 and the declaration (Addendum B). The written essay or voice recording or a video clip and the cover page must be sent to: debates@saasta.ac.za. If a school experiences difficulties with sending large files via email the website: www.wetransfer.co.za can be used.
4. For any further information, schools are advised to visit the SAASTA Schools Debates Competition website at www.saasta.ac.za or check the information on the Facebook page – SAASTA Debates – for guidelines on the video, essay writing and voice recordings, as well as additional information on research in science.

5. Deadline for entries is Saturday, 20 February 2016 at midnight.

6. The written essay, voice recording or video clip will be judged by a panel of external adjudicators appointed by SAASTA. The top ten schools will be selected per province. These schools will be notified of the outcome by Wednesday, 30 March 2016.

7. The best essay of the top ten schools for the province will be awarded a cash prize of R6 000 to be used to purchase lab equipment, books or anything that will benefit the school.

8. The selected top ten schools for the province will attend the provincial workshop on Saturday, 16 April 2016. This workshop will be conducted by SAASTA in partnership with Word Wise Media.

9. The top ten schools will then participate in the provincial debates competition on Saturday, 21 May 2016 where the teams will compete against each other. This competition is judged by a panel of provincial adjudicators.

10. The school that wins the provincial top ten debates competition will represent the province at the national finals on Thursday, 06 October 2016. The first prize for the national winners is a trip to America.

11. In 2015, The Settlers High School won the provincial essay competition with 75%. The school was awarded a cash prize of R6 000.
De Kuilen High School won the first prize for the provincial debate competition and went to represent the province at national level where they achieved 3rd prize. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) commends the mentors for their exceptional work in opening the minds of the learners to the wonderful world of science. At the national finals each mentor for the provincial team also received a new laptop as a gift for their effort.

12. The imperative is to recognise, harness and encourage talent for science in our schools.

13. The WCED therefore urges schools to enter ardent science learners from Grades 9 to 11 for the 2016 National Schools Debates Competition.

14. Principals are kindly requested to bring the contents of this minute to the attention of all relevant staff members.


SIGNED: PAD BEETS
ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT MANAGMENT
DATE: 2016:01:19

Addendum A  (size: 145 KB)
Addendum B  (size: 178 KB)
Addendum C  (size: 106 KB)