After an early start we arrived outside the Cofimvaba District offices a few minutes after 08:00 as usual expecting the customary long wait. We were pleasantly surprised when Sbo made contact with us to say that Portia was on her way.
At that stage the temperature was just below 30 and was destined to rise rapidly. The first school that we visited was Mpomvane SPS which consisted of 4 classrooms. On enquiry we were told that there were a total of 38 learners in Grades 3-6.
Surprisingly enough there was no electricity as the weather was very unstable and we were informed that any wind disrupted the power supply. The decision was taken to host the session on the south side of the building where there was some shade as the classrooms were very small. The beauty of doing the experiments outside was that one is able to reinforce the importance of clean renewable energy. In this instance the wind cooperated allowing for a successful demonstration of all activities.
Learners were also introduced to using recycled materials to make their own propellers. This is possible using round plastic containers such as yoghurt cups, lids of deodorant cans, etc. With a little measurement, cutting and bending of the plastic, it is possible to reshape the container into a simple propeller.
Mpomvane SPS
Male Female
Gr3 11 7
Gr4 3 2
Gr5 5 2
Gr6 5 3
24 14 38
Due to the fact that we had made any early start and the school was close to Cofimvaba, Portia suggested that we filled in the register and moved on to the next school which was also not far away .
This first thing that one notices when arriving at a school is the attitude of the staff which has a major influence on how the school is run. Zanendyebo was about the same size as Mpomvane and yet there was a different atmosphere present. Maybe it was as a result of the principal being absent at a training workshop in Cofimvaba. Despite this we were made to feel welcome and made the decision to run the workshop outside. The two choices were in a classroom where the temperature must have been well over 40 as the outside temperature was 38. All the windows in the classroom room had been welded shut for security reasons which compounded the issue of a tin roof and no ceiling boards.
I reversed the car close to the veranda using the shade of the car’s boot lid over the table. All elements were covered except the wind component as this had dropped by midday and there was no electricity at the school.
Zanendyebo
Male Female
Gr4 14 11
Gr5 12 9
Gr6 5 9
31 29 50
At the end of the day I was confident that all learners received a good exposure to renewable energy.
I then requested the teacher in charge to have access to about 12 learners to expose them to Lego. What an experience. Due to the high temperatures we decided to use the demonstration table on the veranda with a sheet over for the Lego. The Grade 6 learners arrived and before we knew it they had made themselves at home constructing various shapes and experiencing the joys of allowing their imaginations to run wild with this wonderful medium.
It was difficult to get their attention after that but we managed to successfully complete a number of exercises that I had learnt from Mandy in Johannesburg the previous week. The purpose of this exercise was to allow Esme and Johan the opportunity to come to terms with what the Lego training was really about. The learners provided a wonderful living laboratory for them especially with the evening reflection sessions.
It was a successful day despite the extreme weather conditions.