The art of science took centre stage at Schoonspruit Secondary School and Hoërskool Swartland during National Science Week in the Swartland last week.
The Association of South African Women in Science and Engineering (SA WISE) visited Schoonspruit Secondary School in Malmesbury on Monday (1 August), while learners from Hoërskool Swartland also had an opportunity to showcase their inventions at Spar Malmesbury on Thursday (4 August).
The researchers showcased their inventions and field of study to the girl group learners of the school in support of this year’s theme #backtobasics.
SA Wise is an association for those that support women in science and engineering in South Africa.
Lizel Davids, natural science technology adviser and senior education specialist in the West Coast district, said: “We have organised the National Science Week 2022 and the theme of this year is celebrating the role of basic sciences in the modern world.”
She said more than 100 learners were involved in supporting the SA Wise event on the day.
“Not only is science the main focus, but we also did a paper playing competition which [took] place in Piketberg on Friday (5 August).
“We also compiled a file with reading text to suit the science team for the week, and we also [had] a coding and robotics section at different schools in the West Coast district.”
The focus is to enhance public awareness and understanding of science, technology, arts and mathematics, Davids further explained.
“We are back after the Covid lockdown with new and fun activities to showcase for the learners who are interested in science and technology, [and hence] #backtobasics,” she said.
Malikah Abrahams is one of the researchers/students that presented an invention on the day.
She is a student who obtained an undergraduate degree in biotechnology in 2021, currently pursuing an honours degree also in biotechnology at the University of the Western Cape’s Institute for Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics (IMBM).
“I think it was important for me to be there to show the learners that young, females of colour have a place in science and hopefully inspire them to join the field one day,” said Abrahams.
Mickayla Zuerina said she is currently completing her masters in biotechnology, also at the University of the Western Cape’s IMBM.
“With National Science Week, our aim was to introduce the many science fields,” she said, “which are available to those who take an interest in science and to encourage and empower women to join us in the scientific field. We performed a starch and catalase test with each group.”
According to Abrahams and Zuerina, these enzymatic and biochemical tests are crucial for identifying and characterising microorganisms, which are important skills every biotechnologist should have.
Abrahams said to test the presence of starch in different food items (bread, macaroni and spring onion), the students had to drop iodine onto the food.
“If the food item turned black, the students could conclude that the food contains starch whereas if the colour stayed brown then the food does not contain starch,” she explained.
“This is significant because micro-organisms and humans need carbon sources to grow, and starch is one of the major sources from which humans obtain carbon.”
Abrahams said to test the presence of the enzyme catalase, the students had to drop hydrogen peroxide onto prepared slides with microorganisms on it.
“If the bubbles appeared on the slide, the students could conclude that the micro-organism had the enzyme catalase, whereas if there was no bubble formation they could conclude it did not.
“We also advised students on subject choices they would have to make in order to pursue a career in science.”
Abrahams and Zuerina explained biotechnology is the study and exploitation of microorganisms to make new products or play a part in useful processes.
“Our research focuses on the study of chryseobacterium in food spoilage,” Abraham explained.
She pointed out that a third of the food produced in South Africa is wasted, microbial spoilage being one of the leading types of food spoilage and, as a result, food wastage.
“Our goal is to use this knowledge ultimately to increase the shelf life of food,” she said.
“The experience we had was absolutely fantastic with the girls of Schoonspruit Secondary.”
“It was great to see how enthusiastic they were to learn about science and that many of them were interested in pursuing a career in science,” said Zuerina.
Leighea Marshall from Hoërskool Swartland said the main purpose of her taking part in the National Science Week, was her school and teammates making the community aware that science is not difficult.
“I encourage every learner from each school in their community to learn more about science,” she said, “for without science we are nothing.”
