1. Looking Ahead: Awakening Natural Science Curiosity T. Daniels 3 October 2012

2. Introduction Excited about changes in education in SA. We have the potential to create an economic giant i.e. it is Africa’s time. 5 year olds are inquisitive. Brain development – some even argue that they are geniuses at this age. However, by the time they reach high school, the majority are no longer inquisitive. We have to awaken the natural science curiosity, not only in learners but in ourselves as educators

3. WHY?

4. Gr 12 Mathematics results Grade 10Grade 11Grade 12 Year Total enrolment Maths enrolment %Year Total enrolment Maths enrolment %Year Total enrolment Maths enrolment % 200879 13335 03644.320086381929 41846200843 47018 66842.9 200968 40529 81842.1200960 81227 12244.5200945 6921877841 201070 63029 51341.8201053 79922 96542.7201044 87616 92237.7 201173 47029 89340.7201156 99523 23340.8201138 99013 37434.3

5. Grade 12 Physical Sciences results Grade 10Grade 11Grade 12 Year Total enrolment P. Science enrolment %Year Total enrolment P. Sciences enrolment %Year Total enrolment P. Sciences enrolment % 200879 1331996025.220086381917 84627.9200843 4701299731.4 200968 4051838126.9200960 81216 79327.6200945 6921274129.9 201070 6301838526201053 7991495627.8201044 8761198626.7 201173 4701692123201156 9951451225.5201138 9901022526.3

6. Impact Lag behind other countries Recent Sasol Solar Challenge – Winner – Tokai University from Japan

7. How do we change this?

8. P. O. E. Capture the imagination and interest of learners from an early age. P – Predict O – Observe E – Explain Demonstration (Life Skills – Term 3 – objects that float and sink) Video

9. Looking Ahead

10. Looking Ahead: State Action plan to 2014: Towards the Realisation of Schooling 2025. Action plan to 2014 27 Goals E.g. Goals 5 & 6 : “To increase the number of learners who pass mathematics and Physical Sciences”. Have to work systematically by ensuring that Goal 1 is reached i.e. “Increase the number of learners in Grade 3 who by the end of the year have mastered the minimum language and numeracy competencies for grade 3”.

11. Looking Ahead: Why become an ECD practitioner / educator. Many respond: “I love working with children”. My opinion, this statement is incomplete. … to harness/awaken the natural science curiosity of learners. … enable them to intrinsically motivate themselves. … so that they develop a love for science and maths. … so that they will develop skills, knowledge, values needed to be globally competitive citizens and contribute to the economic well-being of South Africa.

12. Looking Ahead Develop a “love” to improve your subject content knowledge. Keep abreast of the latest educational theories. Understand how learners learn. Continuously change your teaching practices to best suit the needs of learners. Develop a community of practitioners / educators where you meet on a regular basis to share and learn from one another. Understand / accept that this is not a half-day job. You are in it for the long haul – 40 years of your life. Understand and accept that you impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of learners and this will determine the future of our country.

13. Choice not Fate Choose to awaken your science curiosity and that of your learners

14. Thank you