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 NSW, an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). 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 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 the importance of these subjects as a foundation for various careers. NSW is a vehicle to popularise these subjects and to increase public awareness, understanding and appreciation thereof. The theme for NSW 2017 is: Advancing Science Tourism.
3. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) requests all schools to have special activities based on these subjects during NSW. The ideal would be to involve learners and 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 following nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) are grant holders who have received funding from SAASTA to run projects involving Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics during NSW. The home page of the WCED website will provide a programme of the related activities to be held in the Western Cape: http://www.wcedcurriculum.westerncape.gov.za

Western Cape SAASTA Grant holders
Organisation Contact Person
  • African Institute for Mathematical Sciences Schools Enrichment Centre (AMSSEC)
 Dr Rejoyce Gavhi-Molefe
Office telephone:
021 787 9349
  • Arcelor Mittal Science Centre
 Ms Jacque Willems
0747198904
Ms Lekgabe Dihlabi
082 449 4580
Office telephone:
022 719 1058
  • Cape Town Science Centre (CTSC)
 Ms Busi Maqubela
083 276 9512
Office telephone:
021 300 3200
  • iThemba LABS
 Ms Luchricia Sidukwana
072 228 4423
Mr Ambrose Yaga
0729888893
Mr Hilton Tobias
0817717367
Office telephone:
021 843 1021
  • Garden Route Botanical Garden Trust
 Ms Kristen Hoek
082 567 3133
Office telephone:
044 874 1558
  • South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO)
 Mr Sivuyile Manxoyi
Ms Buzani Khumalo
083 476 1131
Office telephone:
021 447 0025
  • South African National Space Agency (SANSA) Space Science, Hermanus
 Ms Elisa Fraser
071 473 3337
Office telephone:
028 312 1196

The WCED, in collaboration with the Cape Town Science Centre (CTSC), will launch a Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST) Quest competition involving 30 MST Focus Schools within the Metropoles from 14 August 2017 as an extension of the NSW activities. The knock out finals of this quest competition will take place on Thursday, 07 September 2017. This competition forms part of an initiative to align the science curriculum with fun and inspirational activities to inspire Grade 9 learners from MST Focus schools to continue studying science. Your school will receive an invitation to participate in this fun activity to make the MST subjects more attractive, engaging and rewarding for learners.
5. 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.
6. The WCED appreciates the extra efforts of our teachers to add fun to learning and teaching in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.


SIGNED: PAD BEETS
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT
DATE: 2017:07:24