The Metro East and Metro North Education Districts are hosting the first-ever Metro Interschools Life Sciences Challenge this Saturday 18 April at De Kuilen High School in Kuils River. Teams from 41 schools are set to participate.

The brainchild of Jeremy Dietsiso, vice-principal and life science teacher at De Kuilen, the competition aims to foster academic excellence and healthy competition among Grade 10 to 12 life-sciences learners from both education districts.

“The aim of the competition is to show that science is fun,” he said. “We want to cultivate a love for science amongst our learners. I am very passionate about my subject and work very hard to share my passion with the learners.”

Event format

The finals run from 07:30 to 14:00, with registration starting at 07:30 and the competition beginning at 09:00. The event will feature an exciting format including on-stage oral rounds with rapid-fire questions, digital quiz platforms with buzzer systems and interactive rounds using mobile devices.

Teams consist of six learners, drawn from Grades 10 to 12, with a maximum of two Grade 12 learners per team. The competition will be conducted in both English and Afrikaans.

Schools participating had their learners compete in a preliminary information and communication technology (ICT) assessment in March to select their top six representatives for Saturday’s finals.

The competition focuses on strengthening learners’ competencies in multiple areas including terminology usage, scientific concept analysis, and understanding the applications of life sciences in everyday life and indigenous knowledge.

The event promises to showcase local talent and strengthen collaboration between schools in both education districts.

Partcipants

Participating high schools are: Academy Private School; Bernadino Heights; Blackheath; Bloubergrant; Bothasig; Centre of Science and Technology; Curro Brackenfell; De Kuilen; Delft; Edison Century City; Fairdale No.2; Fisantekraal; Forest Heights; Goodwood College; Harry Gwala; Hector Peterson; Bellville; Hottentots-Holland; Inkwenkwezi; Intlanganiso; J.G. Meiring; Jan Kriel; Kleinvlei; Kraaifontein; Malibu; Melkbosstrand; Mondeor Eco School; Monument Park; Natural Learning Academy; Nomzamo; Paragon School of Excellence; Parel Vallei; Parklands College; Protea Heights Academy; Riverside College; Rocklands; Soneike; Stellenberg; Tygerberg; Valhalla; and Wallacedene.

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