Looking Ahead: Awakening Natural Science Curiosity

T. Daniels

3 October 2012

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

WHY?

Gr 12 Mathematics results

Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12

Year Total enrolment

Maths enrolment % Year Total

enrolmentMaths

enrolment % Year Total enrolment

Maths enrolment %

2008 79 133 35 036 44.3 2008 63819 29 418 46 2008 43 470 18 668 42.92009 68 405 29 818 42.1 2009 60 812 27 122 44.5 2009 45 692 18778 412010 70 630 29 513 41.8 2010 53 799 22 965 42.7 2010 44 876 16 922 37.72011 73 470 29 893 40.7 2011 56 995 23 233 40.8 2011 38 990 13 374 34.3

0-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-1000

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

Distribution of results gr 12

200820092010

Num

bers

Grade 12 Physical Sciences results

Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12

Year Total enrolment

P. Science enrolment % Year Total

enrolmentP. Sciences enrolment % Year Total

enrolmentP. Sciences enrolment %

2008 79 133 19960 25.2 2008 63819 17 846 27.9 2008 43 470 12997 31.42009 68 405 18381 26.9 2009 60 812 16 793 27.6 2009 45 692 12741 29.92010 70 630 18385 26 2010 53 799 14956 27.8 2010 44 876 11986 26.72011 73 470 16921 23 2011 56 995 14512 25.5 2011 38 990 10225 26.3

0-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80-1000

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

Distribution of results gr 12

200820092010

Num

bers

Impact

• Lag behind other countries

• Recent Sasol Solar Challenge – Winner – Tokai University from Japan

• How do we change this?

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

Looking Ahead

Looking Ahead: State

• Action plan to 2014: Towards the Realisation of Schooling 2025.• 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”.

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.

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.

Choice not Fate

Choose to awaken your science curiosity and that of your learners

Thank you