The Youth Research Advisory Group, associated with the South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative (SATVI) has just returned from an international conference in Bari, Italy where they presented a poster on the work their youth advisory group is doing.
The conference, organised by the international children’s research network ICAN, provides a place where young people from all over the world can make input into the design, implementation and evaluation of research studies, and the development of educational materials.
During the conference they visited a children research hospital and the Pharmaceutical Science Faculty of the University Degli Studi Bari, where they learnt how scientists design and make medicines, even the latest techniques in using 3-D printers to make medicines.
Our local youth advisory group, which is supported by SATVI, aims to promote an understanding of research among young people, allow them to give input on research done by researchers, as well as assist young people in doing their own Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) research projects.
The Escom Expo for Young Scientists is one such place where young people can showcase their research. Some of the current research projects members are working on are studying the prevalence of Covid in Worcester using data obtained from wastewater processing plants. The long-term aim is to create an interest among learners in STEM subjects and expose them to careers in this area.
If you have any ideas about helping youth learn about science contact Kelvin Vollenhoven at SATVI: kelvin.vollenhoven@uct.ac.za
