Get trained during holiday in ICTs and Material Development

Courageous teachers will again be leaving their families and friends, in the midst and hype of the festive season, just to gain valuable skills. These GET and FET educators are responding to ASESA’s ongoing call to train teachers. These are the kind of educators that deserve a raise!

Two separate workshops will be held in Kroonstad from the 5 - 6 January 2007. One group will be trained in ICT Skills, whilst the other group will be trained in Material Development. Each member – association is required to send six (6) educators per workshop. In total, 60 educators (30 for each workshop) will be equipped with training and facilitation skills as early as the first week of January 2007.

Teachers have been complaining about the lack of computer skills and lack of resources. What has been noticed is that, even though some schools have computers, other teachers and learners are suffering as a result. Teachers have also been blaming the Department of Education and businesses for the lack of teaching and learning material and resources. Though ASESA is operating with limited resources, both these workshops are aiming at addressing that. ASESA has TEASA to thank for an ongoing outstanding support.

The trainees, as usual, are expected to return to their respective associations and train other members and teachers generally, irrespective of their subjects.

Limpompo's NOMSTE conquers the ASESA Expo

NOMSTE from Limpompo took four awards during the first ever ASESA Science Expo and Olympiads National Finals held at the Esplanade Hotel in East London on Saturday, September 02, 2006.

Mahlaguame Dinkwanyane came first in the Design, Technology and Engineering category, and Johannah Masemola took the second spot in the Physical and Chemical Sciences, Astronomy category. Their projects were Mecha-twist and Comet respectively. They both came from the Glen Cowie Secondary. Kabelo Madihlaba from Bopedi Bapedi High School came second in the Biology, Earth, Medical and Environmental Sciences category. NOMSTE's Chidi Melvinia, also from Glen Cowie Secondary took top honours in Maths Olympiad with 70%.

MDAMSTEDA, KWTDAMSTE and PIMSTA managed their first spots through Yonela July, Zanele Nakase and Sithembile Zungu resepectively. July won the Biology, Earth, Medical and Environmental Sciences category, and Nakase the Physical and Chemical Sciences, Astronomy category whilst Zungu had a walk-over as she was the sole candidate in the Indigenous Knowledge category. Titles of their projects were Water Purification, Omega 3000 and Incence respectively.

Each ASESA member-association came with six learners, accompanied by a teacher. Four were to participate in each category of the science expo, and two for the Maths and Science Olympiads.

The president of ASESA, Mbambeni Ndaba told the participants that their projects displayed here are geared at improving and prolonging our lives. “These are challenges facing South Africa. With projects like these, we are moving in the right direction,” Ndaba said.

Learners were welcomed by Councillor Mtobele Mtongana from the Amathole District Municipality. He told the gathering that he was impressed by projects such as those of Yonela July from Sandisiwe High School in Mdantsane that deals with water purification.

“Clean water is very important to every municipality,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the judges that included educators and Kwezi Mpuhlu (civil engineer), Barbara Valentine, a researcher at ITEC said that they were delighted and thrilled by the work they have seen.

“It was not easy to reach a final decision, and we had to have a consensus,” Valentine said. The judges looked for a thorough sound understanding of science, innovative, creativity and the usefulness of the project to benefit the human kind.

Valentine advised the learners to know exactly what the criteria are, well before hand. “Projects are a collection of well researched information. Make journals and portfolios where you will show background information and literature review,” she said. Giving credit were it is due is very important. She pleaded with the learners to avoid plagiarism. “Be careful, do not copy from the books, use your own words.”

The East London District Director, M Ngwanya delivered the address of the day. He told the learners to believe in themselves. “Tell yourselves that you are the hope of the country, you are the future, and that you will make a difference,” Ngwanya said.

Fanyana Mazibuko from the Trust for Educational Advancement in South Africa (TEASA) could not contain himself. “I am addicted to see learners succeeding in Maths, Science, Technology and Commerce,” he said. “You are the producers of many things whilst the latter are the distributors of those equities.”

ASESA Programmes Coordinator, Siyabulela Matshayana encouraged these learners to start science clubs at their schools. “Science clubs must be run by learners. Educators must only give directions,” he said. Matshayana also motivated girls to increase their entries to more than 60%. “ASESA science expo is targeting disadvantaged communities mainly, like our schools, but you also need to enter for other expos like the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists and many international expos such as the one to be held in Durban in 2007,” he said.

Lipuo Morolong from TEASA awarded the first and second placed winners in the different categories with trophies. Four categories were contested. There is still a great lack of participation in the Indigenous Knowledge as only one learner participated uncontested. Learners also performed poorly in Science, with the highest score being 45% as compared to the highest score of 70% in Maths.

According to Archie Dlulisa who led the group that was overseeing the Olympiads, learners took things for granted and only took 30 minutes to answer a 90 minutes paper. MASTEDAM's Bouwer Roland from Brent Park Secondary and KWTDAMSTE's James Motlalepula topped the scores with a mere 45%.

“Learners need to focus on each question, think about it and get a clear and better understanding instead of taking it for granted,” Dlulisa said.

The next ASESA Expo and Olympiad will be in 2007. Date and venue will be announced in due course.

For more news and information on ASESA, please visit:
http://asesa.blogspot.com/ and http://www.asesa.org.za/

New Science Expo & Maths Olympiad

ASESA's first ever National Science Expo and Maths Olympiad is set to take place in East London on the 02 September 2006.

Participants will be FET learners from schools of educators belonging to ASESA member-associations. The member-associations are follows:

Ø KWTDAMSTE (King William's Town)
Ø MDAMSTEDA (Mdantsane)
Ø PIMSTA (Pietermaritzburg)
Ø NOMSTE (Mogwase)
Ø MASTEDAM (Kroonstad)

ASESA will only start with the following four categories:

§ Design, Technology and Engineering
§ Biology, Earth, Medical and Environmental Sciences
§ Physical and Chemical Sciences
§ Indigenous knowledge

Learners qualify for only one project per category, and only two learners for the Olympiad. This amounts up to a team of six learners that must be accompanied by one teacher per association.

ASESA appeals to member-associations to have held their Science Expo and Olympiad, and to submit the list of winners by 01 August 2006.

For further details regarding the event, please contact:


Siyabulela Matshayana - (ASESA Projects Co coordinator) @ 072 461 5498, or
Nombulelo Mandindi – ASESA Administrator @ 082 390 7088

On your mark, get ready, go for Science Expo

Teachers braced the chilly weather and attended the science expo workshop at the former Dr W B Rubusana College of Education in Mdantsane on Saturday, July 22, 2006.

The Mdantsane Maths, Science and Technology Development Association (MDAMSTEDA) workshop was attended by 32 educators.

Angela Stotts, a teacher and an author, facilitated. She told teacher not to despair as it has taken her over 15 years to be an expert on this field that saw her produce national finalists and international representatives.
“You will soon get huge responses. I started with three children, but I now get over 100 entrants from my school,” she said.

Siyabulela Matshayana, the MDAMSTEDA Chairperson and ASESA Programmes Coordinator encouraged participants to start in earnest with their learners.
“The Association of Science Educators in South Africa (ASESA) is going to hold her first ever Science Expo and Maths Olympiad during September school holidays,” Matshayana said. He told the participants of the embarrassing situation that only Sandisiwe High School in Mdantsane has submitted its entry form from the disadvantaged communities so far for this year’s Eskom Science Expo for Young Scientists.

This is a follow-up workshop from the one held by Noreen Burton in December 2005 and by Mzukisi Ncanywa in March.

Stott’s facilitation was based on her book “Investigation”. Her book is available for learners at R35 and the teachers’ guide is R70, from Agape Bookshop.
“It has helped me to produce learners like Siyabonga Cele who will represent South Africa in Mexico this year with his project ‘How does density affect yield?’. Cele was not even on my list. His commitment, perseverance and dedication, and his clear understanding of the requirements made me to change my mind,” she said.

Sonjani Ncumisa who teaches Physics and Biology at Mzomhle High School was impressed. “I have always thought that the science expo was for clever students, but the fact that learners like Cele who are regarded as mediocre are doing so well, is encouraging,” she said. Her only disappointment is the poor presentations by learners from disadvantaged schools. “They are hand-written and dull, and I think that it is where our learners lose marks as compared to ex-model C learners who present colourful, exciting posters and material”.

Mzukisi Ncanywa, a David Mama High School teacher blamed teachers on hindering the progress of learners.
“Learners have the ability. Ignorance by teachers of the closing dates result in late submissions or missing the deadlines,” he said. Ncanywa also blamed teachers for failing to prompt learners timeously to submit their projects for review. He hopes that this workshop’s clear guidelines will help teachers to assist their learners throughout the stages of project development. David Mama featured on national finals of the Eskom Science Expo for Young Scientists on several occasions,

Noluthando Rusi of Siyavuya S P School was also glad to be part of the workshop. For her, it is a good cross-over from the social sciences.
“MDAMSTEDA is making the teaching of Maths, Science and Technology (MST) easy and fun. I have been teaching history all along, but now I am able to teach technology, thanks to these kinds of workshops,” she said. Rusi believes that teachers who still ignore MDASTEDA and ASESA are missing a lot.

Nomphelo Faku from Philani S P School is more concerned about the foundation phase teachers who are left in the cold by MDAMSTEDA and the government. To her, the Revised National Curriculum Statements (RNCS) covers grade R-12. She insists that ASESA should have specific workshops for these educators.
“They need to know, understand and be able to teach basic concepts clearly. As for now, they teach MST in ‘passing’ and that is very worrying,” she said.

MDAMSTEDA continues to make strides in that her workshops are making inroads in rural areas and are reaching schools in areas like Ncera, Mooiplaas and Qhuru.

Happy 10 years ASESA

ASESA celebrated her 10 years in style on Friday, 30 June 2006 at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Pietermaritzburg. Interesting were the powerful cultural performances of Zulu traditions rendered by Mcoseleli Secondary School and Imbubu Primary School.

120 delegates were present. This included the two new associations that joined ASESA. These were MASTEDAM from Kroonstad and NOMSTE from Limpopo. They both praised the high level in which ASESA is operating.

Sharing insight and empowering teachers with intellect were Dr Nchaupe Mokoape, Dr D. N. W. Ngcobo and Dr Zweli Mkhize (MEC for Finance, KwaZulu-Natal). Mr Fanyana Mazibuko, Executive Director of TEASA was also present. TEASA has always been instrumental in the existence and sustainability of ASESA. Other guests included Mr J B Mazibuko (Umzimkhulu District Director) and the Mayoress of Msunduzi Municipality, Honourable Z Hlatshwayo. Pieter Labuschagne of Edit Microsystem presented the SMART Board. This is an interactive board that is destined to replace the chalkboard or blackboard. Labuschagne demonstrated educational software ranging from science to language and to dance. Delegates were taken up with the idea of the board and the use of your hand instead of the troublesome mouse. That was followed by Chemistry and Physics demonstrations by Boitjhorisong Resource Centre. This group showed how easy and fun science is, using easily available resources that we regard as waste.

Links:
The Witness: No maths or science, please
'Africa must add focus to maths and science'
Performance scores in international maths and science study reflective of South African inequalities
Why don't kids learn maths and science successfully?
R5m centre for science education
Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad

ASESA is designing her own ICT Modules

A number of dedicated teachers belonging to MDAMSTEDA (Mdantsane Maths, Science and Technology Educators Development Association) started gathering at Mdamsteda Computer Lab based at Dumisa J P School near Nkosana 'Happy Boy' Mgxaji's home to compile ICT Skills modules for ASESA membership.

These teachers are Sesani Douglas (Mzoxolo SP School) and Ms Buyelwa Sofute (unemployed but volunteering at Kusile High School, Duncan Village). Mncebisi Williams, a computer fundi who is facilitating Computer Literacy at Fanti Gaqa SP School, is also assisting. Zongezile Matshoba (ASESA PRO from Nzaliseko SP School) and Luvuyo Mngqibisa (ASESA Council Member from Fanti Gaqa SP School) are monitoring the whole process, giving all the necessary backing as well as editing the training modules.

This group of five is compiling these modules for ASESA ICT Skills Programme, adding examples, activities and exercises based on teaching and learning of Maths, Science and Technology.

Their task is a huge one, and it became impossible that it could be not finished within the three days set for the compilation. This is further complicated in that all these teachers have to come after school hours and work until late in the evening.

So far, modules on Internet, Operating Systems, Spreadsheet, Databases, Presentations, Wordprocessing and An Introduction to Computers are still on the process.

It is hoped that by the end of June, these modules will be completed, presented and accepted by all the member - associations of ASESA as a national programme. It is also hoped that assessment and evaluation will be done by ASESA at a national level, in line with the Issett Seta, South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) and the National Qualification Authority (NQF) requirements for accreditation.

ASESA membership in one province will benefit by enjoying the same level of study and understanding similar to their counterparts throughout the country. For example, if one has studied the Internet Module, expectations and outcomes will be the same nationally.

COLABORATING FREEDOM DAY THROUGH MST

Over 60 educators will be descending at Osner Hotel in East London for a two-day workshop as from the Freedom Day. These educators come as far as Limpompo and KwaZulu-Natal. They form part of ASESA delegation and will be joining their counterparts from around East London and KingWilliam’s Town.

The ASESA workshop will try to address the knowledge gap that teachers lack when dealing with teaching content. The workshop will also address better ways and strategies when teaching content.

Grade 4 – 12 MST educators are targeted. These trainees are in return expected to train other educators both in their schools and neighbouring schools.

Experienced, practising and active MST educators have been identified for this training.

Arrival and registration will take place as from 16h00 on 27 April 2006.

Five specialists’ facilitators will be taking delegates through their paces for two full days, on 28 – 29 April 206. These facilitators are:

* Ms Ntshantsha Mpondwana > Subject Adviser and Moderator (Biology)
* Celiwe Ngetu > University of Fort Hare Lecturer (Technology)


* Angela Stott > from KZN – produced learners for Eskom Science Expo
for Young Scientists



* Lindiwe Vilakazi > Maths, GET (ASESA Treasurer)
* Mbambeni Ndaba > Maths, FET (ASESA President)

Departure is on Sunday, 30 April 2006.

ASESA believes that the continued insistence on facilitating educators on content and methodology is vital. Challenges posed by OBE demand the non-profit organisations such as ASESA that they must always strive to meet and mobilise educators, especially in the field of MST, irrespective of limited resources.

Many of these teachers come from disadvantaged communities and rural areas and are prepared and willing to sacrifice time and family comfort during such long weekends for the benefit of all school going children. Also to benefit is the industry that continue to draw its manpower from these fields of MST.

ASESA has realised that no one will do a thing if educators themselves do not stand-up and face their challenges, until they become the best they could be in the teaching and learning of MST.

Soon after this workshop, ASESA’s main focus will be on the on-coming conference and 10th Anniversary to be held in Pietermaritzburg as from the 29 June – 02 July 2006.

For more information, please contact:
Mr Siyabulela Matshayana (ASESA Programmes Coordinator)
@ 0724615498,
or Nombulelo Mandindi (ASESA Administrator) @ 082 390 70 88