August 2, 2007
By Lesego Madumo
THE Me Games, an ultra modern interactive games exhibition, is to open officially at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown on Wednesday, 8 August.
Described at its launch on 3 July, as "unique and fascinating", the Me Games exhibition will be housed permanently at the centre. It was launched by Jean Paul Huchon, the president of Ile de France, the French department or province, during a visit by French politicians to Johannesburg.
He was accompanied at the launch by the Gauteng MEC for education, Angie Motshekga.
The games simulate real life experiences
Me Games comprises of interactive games that trigger the visitor to play, so thinking on their feet, making quick decisions, working in teams and being innovative.
"The exhibition is a fun activity for families and children," says David Kramer, the acting chief executive officer of the centre, adding that it will be equally educational and entertaining for young and old.
"Communication skills, thinking strategically and tactically to win games and solving problems are critical survival skills and we don't teach these skills at school," Kramer notes; the exhibition will help visitors to learn these skills "while they have a lot of fun".
Team work
They will also help players to discover their skills and talents, and their capacity to create, innovate, implement a strategy, manage a crisis, and co-operate with others. "We expect this exhibition to become a firm favourite with the many school groups that visit Sci-Bono every day."
Me Games is designed to prepare youngsters for the corporate world, particularly those who are in their last years of study. Kramer believes that the games will help them "to facilitate their perceptions of their own identities and alter their thinking about themselves and their interactions with other people".
The exhibition was arranged and constructed by the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, using designs supplied by one of the world's leading science centres, La Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie in Paris. It is hosted in collaboration with the Gauteng provincial government and the Ile de France regional council.
"The two provinces have a sisterhood agreement that has resulted in a number of partnerships," Kramer confirms.
The exhibition is one of four co-funded by the Ile de France regional council and the Gauteng department of education as part of their alliance.
Total South Africa is one of the main sponsors of the show. Nolundi Rawana says the company recognises the value of investing in education and in growing young people's abilities to succeed in a fast-changing world.
"The Me Games exhibition is a great way to build the kind of thinking skills we need in the industry," asserts Rawana, the fuel company's corporate communications and marketing manager.
Permanent exhibition
Me Games will officially open at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Newtown on Wednesday, 8 August. It will be a permanent exhibition. The centre is open on weekdays from 9am to 5pm, and on weekends from 10am to 5pm.
The Me Games encourage participants to think about themselves and their interactions with others
School bookings for the exhibition are essential; call Cynthia Sithole at the centre on 011 639 8491. Entrance is R5 per schoolchild under the age of 18 – when not with their schools – and R20 for adults; however, schools only pay R5 per visit.
Sci-Bono is closed from Monday, 30 July until Wednesday, 8 August while Me Games is installed and the previous exhibition, the Max Planck Science Tunnel is dismantled.
For more information, call David Kramer on 011 639 8436 or email him on david.kramer@sci-bono.co.za.
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