November 4, 2004
By Bafana Nzimande
ON a mission to entice students to venture into technological careers, Johannesburg's central library, on Beyers Naude Square, is currently holding an exciting interactive science exhibition.
Visitors to the exhibition, organised by the library and the Sci Bono Discovery Centre, are encouraged to play games and take on challenges, all the while learning more about the fascinating world of maths and science.
Six puzzle games, displayed around the ground floor on brightly-coloured exhibition stands, challenge visitors to solve problems creatively. The puzzles are not only enormous fun - they also test participants' rapid fire thinking skills to the limit.
Two Sci-Bono staff members are also on hand to provide information, educational brochures, career guidance and other assistance.
The exhibition, which began on Monday 1 November, will run until Friday 12 November from 9am to 5pm daily.
"Maths and science are often perceived as difficult subjects and students think such subjects are only meant for natural geniuses," says librarian Maria Digoamaye.
"But we hope this exhibition will help students realise that these subjects are actually fun and exciting. "
Digoamaye says one of the aims of the exhibition is to encourage students to choose careers in technology.
"Students should drop the old myth that science and maths are difficult subjects and start exploring the fun world that they expose you to," says Sci Bono's science communicator, Victor Matloga.
It's important, he believes to get students involved in the study of science and maths. "We are living in a new technology-driven era where everything revolves around science and maths."
While more displays can be seen at the Sci Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown, the library exhibition targets not only school pupils, but also tertiary students and regular library users.
"The library is the perfect place to stage this event as a lot of people are now visiting the venue because they are busy studying towards their final exams," Matloga explains.
Library user Shiferaw Alemu encourages people to visit the exhibition. "They'll realise maths and science are not as difficult as they think - it's just that they require clear thinking and logic".
Alemu says he found the display eye-opening, while another visitor, Dione Maluwe, enjoyed the hands-on approach of the exhibition, which "helps with problem solving, creativity and brainstorming tactics".
Maluwe, a Grade 12 pupil at Robin Hood High, raves: "I've never attended such an event before and after today's experience I've realised technology is fascinating - and fun." He particularly recommends the puzzle stand …
The exhibition is on from Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm at the Johannesburg Public Library on the corner of Market and Fraser Street in central Johannesburg.
For more information call 011 870 1204.
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