2.Trinityhouse Littlefalls 18-05

Grade 8 (57), 9 (62)

Having anticipated heavy traffic I had set off from Pretoria by 06:00 am only to arrive in Roodepoort some 50 km away with an hour to spare. The setting for the school is exquisite with sprawling lawns and new buildings set up against the hills with a vista of the Johannesburg skyline to the east.

Gordon Freer’s wife, Gail arrived to drop off their son as well as to deliver the 1000 CEE handbooks that had been printed b PTSA. It was the first time I had seen the final product and was pleased with the outcome. After speaking to Mr Dave Brown, the deputy I requested that the presentations be delivered with the learners seated on the rugby stands to allow them to look down on the demonstration table.

It soon became evident that there were some smart learners in the group by the answers provided. One of the demonstrations includes the use of wind turbine where I purposefully set the blades to 90 degrees to the wind. Naturally there will be no transfer of energy. Previous experience on the part of a learner with a hobby of miniature aircraft soon provided the solution to the answer.

Many of the questions provided an insight into the importance of having a broad background in STEMI certainly helps at the end of the day. On the other hand it is also important to provide ‘key moments’ to spark the interest to encourage individuals to apply their knowledge through a process of scientific enquiry in order to produce meaningful solutions.

In discussions with a few staff after the session it came to light that each one was able to see potential in integrating information from the session in their classes as well as the exams including Natural Science, Technology Education, Earth Science and Languages. This is most encouraging.