While many were busy commemorating Youth Day on June16, members of AmaQhawe Ngemfundo and pupils from Khayelitsha high schools were putting their minds to work in the Physical Science Olympiad held at Joe Slovo Engineering School.
AmaQhawe is an NGO that wants to promote the love of mathematics and science among township pupils.
The organisation inspires, encourages and motivates pupils in schools in marginalised communities to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects and eventually work towards STEM careers post matric.
The Olympiad brought more than 50 pupils from Joe Slovo, Qhayiya and Intlanganiso to have fun while they competed, played and learned science involving all the STEM subjects.
These young future scientists took part in dozens of activities that tested their knowledge of physical, applied and health sciences.
The emphasis on the day was placed on group participation, building individual capacity and sparking an interest in scientific inquiry.
AmaQhawe leader, the proud Dr Fanelwa Ngece-Ajayi said the pupils chose to celebrate their love of science with fun activities.
She said the aim of the Olympiad was to encourage group learning with events that forged partnerships. But mostly, she said, teamwork was required skill in most science careers today.
“We wanted to also instil group work and trust in them. Pupils need to have trust in each other while learning. Again we organise this because we want them to understand science is not about boredom and seriousness. They can have fun while they are learning. That is why we had different activities. We had fun with the pupils because this was our first Physical Science Olympiad.”
She thanked the pupils who were behind the Olympiad, all those who participated, and her “fabulous” staff members who organised everything.
“The members of Amaqhawe are just out of this world. They are dedicated to what they are bringing to township schools.
“The aim is to have township children up there with the best when it come to maths and science. Parents should not be sending their children to outside schools while we have schools here,” she told Vukani.
She said as much as they would want to have partnerships with other schools when it comes to science, due to a lack of funding, AmaQhawe has only been able to reach three schools in Khayelitsha.
However, she said, they hoped to expand and help more pupils to find their niche in the sciences.
“What we have realised is that some children from other schools do sneak into our workshops and seminars; something that inspires us too. And another interesting thing is the bond we have with these pupils. Had it not been for money, we would do more schools,” she said.
Pupils commended AmaQhawe for the Olympiad.
Yolanda Jizana said she learnt what it takes to work as group. “I did not know you can have fun while learning. We formed groups and competed against each other. That was an awesome day,” she said.
Another pupil, Inanda Nkohla, said the day was interesting and there should be more Olympiads. She said she came out a better person. “It was my first time to be involved in an Olympiad where you not only learn but have fun as well. It was a great day for all of us,” she said.