Promoting S&T to learners in South Africa

Ochieng’ Ogodo

Journalist-Kenya

[NAIROBI] The launch of an innovative internet-based platform and mobile application that aims to increase awareness and interest in careers in genomic and in the science, technology, engineering and mathematical fields takes place tomorrow, 18 August, at South Africa’s University of Cape Town.

Skills in the science, technology, engineering and mathematical (STEM) fields have been widely accepted as the way of the future. However, South Africa still lags behind in this field, reporting some of the lowest levels of mathematics and science education in the world.

The platform, known as mGenAfrica, aims to improve knowledge, attitudes and practices of high school learners towards participation in genomics and life sciences research.

It is also targeted at improving knowledge and attitudes towards life sciences in high school curriculum. For the research staff, the platform aims to improve skills and attitudes towards public engagement activities.

Dr Vicky Nembaware, the project coordinator and a bioinformatician commented: “mGenAfrica makes learning life sciences fun and promotes careers in this field.” 

Initiatives such as mGenAfrica are preparing South Africa for the future and molding the next generations to be at the forefront of technology and science.

The platform promotes activities such as quizzes, freely accessible learning material including videos, profiles of staff working in life sciences and live chat sessions, a career corner, translation corner and online competitions.

The launch will include mGenAfrica hosting the finals of a Grade 12 learner quiz competition organised in partnership with the Metro South Education District (MSED) (Western Cape Education Department).

The platform, an initiative started by the Pan African Bioinformatics Network for H3Africa, is supported by various stakeholders and collaborators including the Human Heredity and Health in Africa Consortium working groups (Community Engagement and Education & Coordinated Training); the Sickle Africa Data Coordinating Center, the Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa and the MSED.