| 1. |
The AstroQuiz is a science competition for Grade 7 learners, which is based on astronomy-related 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. In 2015 a number of schools participated in the competition. Laerskool Park in Mossel Bay represented the province at national level. There are attractive prizes on offer for the provincial top ten schools and the winning school. |
| 4. |
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) encourages more schools to participate in the 2016 AstroQuiz as the AstroQuiz is open to all Grade 7 learners and schools. |
| 5. |
The resource pack for the AstroQuiz and an exemplar question paper can be downloaded from the SAAO AstroQuiz website: www.astroquiz.saao.ac.za |
| 6. |
The WCED requests that all schools use the AstroQuiz resource pack and the exemplar question paper to give learners practice in writing the quiz. This should be an open-book activity for groups of four learners each, with each group working as a team. |
| 7. |
Interested schools must register for the quiz directly with the SAAO via the AstroQuiz website: http://astroquiz.saao.ac.za. Registration will start from 01 March 2016. |
| 8. |
All communication with the SAAO will be done via email and/or SMS. Educators may choose their preferred means of communication when registering. Educators are invited to join the AstroQuiz mailing list on http://astroquiz.saao.ac.za/join-the-mailing-list/ to stay informed about the quiz. |
| 9. |
To enter the AstroQuiz schools must identify teams of four learners from Grade 7 and form teams to represent the school. |
| 10. |
Schools should arrange to participate in the first two rounds of the provincial AstroQuiz online. Schools are encouraged to participate with as many teams as possible in the first round. There will be a trial round for learners to practise to take the quiz online. Learners may use their cell phones to participate online. Schools compete to answer a set of 30 questions in each round. All schools answer the same questions. The teams are given a fixed 60 seconds per question. Teams may discuss answers quietly among themselves. Only one team per school may participate in the second round. Learners participating may not take resource material into the quiz venue. |
| 11. |
The first two rounds of the provincial AstroQuiz will be held at school level under the supervision of the educator in charge. Round 1 will be held on Friday, 22 April 2016 and Round 2 on Friday, 22 July 2016. |
| 12. |
Provincial Rounds 3 and 4 will be held on the same day, Friday, 26 August 2016, at the SAAO in Observatory, Cape Town. All districts in a province will be represented in the third round. 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 from 05 to 07 October 2016. The venue for the final national event will be announced at a later stage. |
| 13. |
For any further questions and clarity about the competition, kindly contact the SAAO directly by email, phone or fax. You can also visit their website for more information.
Their details are:
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| 14. |
Principals are requested to bring this minute to the attention of all Grade 7 Natural Sciences educators. |
SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT
DATE: 2016:02:23
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