Pre-Congress Workshop
SCIENCE CENTRES FOR AFRICA:
BUILDING CAPACITY
Fountains Hotel, 1 St Georges Mall, Cape Town 8001, South Africa
T +27 (0)21 443 1100, F +27 (0)21 425 6070
2-4 September 2011
Check this website for updates and further information on this draft programme.
Click here to download the PDF version of this
programme.
OVERVIEW
At the opening of the 2009 African Science Communication Conference, Professor Mohamed Hassan of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS) stated "Africa's sustainability problems can only be solved by science-based solutions, and effective communication must play a key role in this." His key recommendations for strengthening science communication in Africa included creating at least one science centre in each African country to bring science closer to society.
This pre-congress workshop is part of a strategic, long-term programme to develop the future leaders and managers of the science centre field in Africa. The programme has been designed for participants from African nations.
Sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology, South Africa (DST) and UNESCO, and co-convened by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), the Southern African Association of Science and Technology Centres (SAASTEC) and the North Africa and Middle East Science Centers Network (NAMES), this workshop will be supported by an international consortium of science centre networks and institutions.
Plenary sessions will be conducted in English. Where appropriate, individual mentoring will be facilitated in other major languages of African countries.
In this highly interactive workshop, individuals and small groups will work with African and international facilitators to develop a roadmap to establish or further develop a science centre initiative in their country. The workshop will focus on best practices emerging from local African science centres, and from science centres around the world. Workshop outcomes will be reported to the Congress through the session From first steps to next steps: building African capacity in the science centre field. The outcomes will be communicated to African governments, to science centre networks and to others with the purpose of stimulating follow-up initiatives and further capacity building.
WORKSHOP CONTRIBUTORS
Chairman
Prof Mohamed H.A. Hassan, Co-Chair, IAP: The Global Network of Science Academies; Past President, African
Academy of Sciences; Past Executive Director, TWAS: The Academy of Sciences for the Developing World
Convenors
Shadrack Mkansi, South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
Julie Cleverdon, Chair, Southern African Association of Science and Technology Centres
Mijbil Almutawa, President, North Africa and Middle East Science Centres Network
Sponsor Representatives
Isaac Ramovha, Department of Science and Technology, South Africa
Dr Yoslan Nur, UNESCO
Programme Coordinator
Brenton Honeyman, Questacon – Australia's National Science and Technology Centre
Module Programme Convenors
Prof Mike Gore, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University
Prof Sue Stocklmayer, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University
Graham Walker, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University
Dinner Master of Ceremonies
Prof Mike Bruton, MTE Studios, 6SCWC Convenor, South Africa
Session Speakers and Facilitators
Prof Graham Durant, Questacon – Australia's National Science and Technology Centre
Michael Ellis, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, South Africa
Derek Fish, Unizul Science Centre, South Africa
Rudi Horak, Sci-Enza, South Africa
Erik Jacquemyn, Technopolis – The Flemish Science Centre, Belgium
Bafedile Kgwadi, South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
Alejandra León-Castellá, CIENTEC, Costa Rica
Thami Mangena, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, South Africa
Sivuyile Manxoyi, South African Astronomical Observatory
Busi Maqubela, AcelorMittal Science Centre, South Africa
Ronen Mir, MadaTech - The Israel National Museum of Science
Mondli Mnguni, Mondi Science Centre, South Africa
Walter Staveloz, International Relations, Association of Science-Technology Centers Inc.
Science Centre Network Lead Representatives
Dr Mamoru Mohri, President, ASPAC
Anthony (Bud) Rock, CEO, ASTC
Erik Jacquemyn, Board Member, ECSITE
Mijbil Almutawa, President, NAMES
Ganga Rautela, Director General, NCSM
Joaquin Fargas, Executive Director, RedPOP
Julie Cleverdon, Chair, SAASTEC
WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS
The pre-congress workshop will cater for up to 90 participants who have been nominated in response to invitations to African governments and institutions or who have registered to participate. Participants will be required to also register and participate in the 6th Science Centre World Congress, 4-8 September 2011. The 3 day workshop and the 4 day congress will provide participants with an intensive encounter with the latest thinking in the science centre field in Africa and around the world.
The workshop will support participants to develop an action plan setting out next steps to establish or further develop a science centre initiative in their country.
Selected participants will need to prepare in advance, ready to share on the first morning of the workshop, the context, needs and opportunities for science centres in their local community and country.
WORKSHOP PROGRAMME
The programme will be structured to cater for three participant groups (Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3) to ensure that participants benefit according to their level of experience in science centres, and to ensure the effectiveness of participant learning through individual and group mentoring.
Friday, 2 September 2011
The relevancy and diversity of science centres: responding to local needs
07:30 to 08:45 Registration
08:45 to 09:15 Session 1 – Plenary welcome and opening
Session facilitator:
Julie Cleverdon, Chair, SAASTEC
Workshop Chairman's Opening Address:
Mohamed H.A. Hassan, Workshop Chairman and President, African Academy of Sciences
09:15 to 10:30 Session 2 – Plenary session
Session facilitator:
Walter Staveloz, International Relations, Association of Science-Technology Centers Inc.
Panel: Setting the scene: what is a science centre?
Panel speakers bring their perspective, illustrated by case studies, of the unique value proposition that a
science centre brings to its community. Through these perspectives and case studies, various models of delivering
science centre experiences will be shared. The key question for workshop participants is "What model for
delivering science centre experiences would be appropriate to address the needs in your community?" Panel
presentations will be followed by Q&A and interactive panel discussion.
Panel speakers:
Prof Graham Durant, Questacon – Australia's National Science and Technology Centre
Isaac Ramovha, Department of Science and Technology, South Africa
Alejandra Leon-Castella, CIENTEC, Costa Rica
Erik Jacquemyn, Technopolis – The Flemish Science Centre, Belgium
Rudi Horak, Sci-Enza, South Africa
Ronen Mir, MadaTech - The Israel National Museum of Science
10:30 to 11.00 Morning tea
11:00 – 11:10
Presentation: UNESCO and Science Popularisation
Yoslan Nur, UNESCO
11:20 to 12:30 Session 3 – Group session: Mapping the needs
Participants in Group 1 move to one room, Group 2 to a second room and Group 3 to a third room. For Groups 1 and
2, the facilitator explains the mapping task, followed by participants sharing a status report outlining the
context, needs and opportunities for science centres in their country/community. Common areas of need are
identified and reported back to the group in summary form. A map/hierarchy of needs across countries is
prepared as summaries are shared. Group 3 participants will work with international facilitators to continue
the conversation from Session 2.
Group facilitators:
Group 1: Alejandra Leon-Castella, CIENTEC, Costa Rica; Bafedile Kgwadi, South African Agency for Science and
Technology Advancement
Group 2: Brenton Honeyman, Questacon – Australia's National Science and Technology Centre
Group 3: Erik Jacquemyn, Technopolis – The Flemish Science Centre, Belgium; Graham Durant, Questacon –
Australia's National Science and Technology Centre; Ronen Mir, MadaTech - The Israel National Museum of
Science, Walter Staveloz, International Relations, Association of Science-Technology Centers Inc.
12:30 to 13:30 Lunch
Science centre experiences: engaging visitors through exhibits and programmes
At this point in the program, Groups 1, 2 and 3 start to rotate through a program of three modules. This arrangement will assist in providing interactive experiences appropriate to individual/group experience.
13:30 to 14:45 Session 4 – Module Programme
Group 1: Module A (first half) Public awareness and informal learning in science
During the first half of this module, Group 1 participants will be introduced to international trends,
expectations and cultural issues, including in Africa, in engaging the public in informal learning in science.
Facilitators for the first half:
Prof Sue Stocklmayer, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National
University; Rudi Horak, Sci-Enza, South Africa; Sivuyile Manxoyi, South African Astronomical Observatory
Group 2: Module B (first half) Exhibits, outreach and "science in a bakkie"
During the first half of this module, Group 2 participants will be introduced to principles of effective
exhibit, outreach and "science in a bakkie" experiences.
Facilitators for the first half:
Prof Mike Gore, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University;
Thami Mangena, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, South Africa
Group 3: Module C (first half) Science shows and demonstrations
During the first half of this module, Group 3 participants will discuss principles of effective design and
presentation of science shows and demonstrations.
Facilitators for the first half:
Graham Walker, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University;
Bafedile Kgwadi, South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
14:45 to 15:00 Afternoon tea
15:00 to 17:00 Session 4 – Module Programme (continued)
Group 1: Module A (second half) – Teacher professional development
During the second half, Group 1 participants will undertake a practical workshop to illustrate effective
principles for interactive teaching-learning in science.
Facilitators for the second half:
Prof Mike Gore, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National
University; Thami Mangena, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, South Africa
Group 2: Module B (second half) Observation of interactions with exhibits
During the second half of this module, Group 2 participants will undertake a practical exercise in observing
visitor interactions with hands-on exhibits and discuss their observations.
Facilitators for the second half:
Prof Sue Stocklmayer, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National
University; Rudi Horak, Sci-Enza, South Africa; Sivuyile Manxoyi, South African Astronomical Observatory
Group 3: Module C (second half) Science shows and demonstrations
During the second half of this module, Group 3 participants will: review the available research on science
shows; consider good and bad demonstrations; and undertake a group challenge.
Facilitators for the second half:
Graham Walker, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University;
Michael Ellis, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, South Africa; Mondli Mnguni, Mondi Science Centre, South Africa;
Bafedile Kgwadi, South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
19:00 to 22:00 Session 5: Pre-Congress Workshop Dinner
Fountains Hotel, 1 St Georges Mall, Cape Town
This dinner is a formal part of the Pre-Congress Programme and all participants are expected to attend. The
dinner features interactive tabletop activities and science busking.
Saturday, 3 September 2011
08:45 to 10:00 Session 6 – Module Programme
Group 1: Module B (first half) Exhibits, outreach and "science in a bakkie"
During the first half of this module, Group 1 participants will be introduced to principles of effective
exhibit, outreach and "science in a bakkie" experiences.
Facilitators:
Prof Mike Gore, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University;
Thami Mangena, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, South Africa; Busi Maqubela, AcelorMittal Science Centre, South
Africa
Group 2: Module C (first half) Science shows and demonstrations
During the first half of this module, Group 2 participants will be introduced to the principles of effective
design and presentation of science shows and demonstrations and to the research available on science shows.
Facilitators for the first half:
Graham Walker, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University
Group 3: Module A (first half) Public awareness and informal learning in science
During the first half of this module, Group 3 participants will consider recent developments in international
trends, expectations and cultural issues, including in Africa, in engaging the public in informal learning in
science.
Facilitators for the first half:
Prof Sue Stocklmayer, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National
University; Rudi Horak, Sci-Enza, South Africa; Bafedile Kgwadi, South African Agency for Science and
Technology Advancement
10:00 to 10:30 Morning tea
10:30 to 12:30 Session 6 – Module Programme (continued)
Group 1: Module B (second half) Observation of interactions with exhibits
During the second half of this module, Group 1 participants will undertake a practical exercise in observing
visitor interactions with hands-on exhibits and discuss their observations.
Facilitators for the second half:
Prof Sue Stocklmayer, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National
University; Thami Mangena, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, South Africa; Busi Maqubela, AcelorMittal Science
Centre, South Africa
Busi Maqubela, AcelorMittal Science Centre, South Africa
Group 2: Module C (second half) Science shows and demonstrations
During the second half of this module, Group 2 participants will observe a science show; consider good and
bad demonstrations; and undertake a group exercise on using props.
Facilitators for the second half:
Graham Walker, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University;
Michael Ellis, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, South Africa; Mondli Mnguni, Mondi Science Centre, South Africa
Group 3: Module A (second half) – Teacher professional development
During the second half, an international panel will share their experience in interactive teaching-learning
in science.
Facilitators for the second half:
Prof Mike Gore, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University;
Rudi Horak, Sci-Enza, South Africa; Alejandra León-Castellá, CIENTEC, Costa Rica; Bafedile Kgwadi, South
African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
12:30 to 13:30 Lunch
13:30 to 14:45 Session 7 – Module Programme
Group 1: Module C (first half) Science shows and demonstrations
During the first half of this module, Group 1 participants will be introduced to the principles of effective
design and presentation of science shows and demonstrations and to the research available on science shows.
Facilitators for the first half:
Graham Walker, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University
Group 2: Module A (first half) Public awareness and informal learning in science
During the first half of this module, Group 2 participants will be introduced to international trends,
expectations and cultural issues, including in Africa, in engaging the public in informal learning in
science.
Facilitators for the first half:
Prof Sue Stocklmayer, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National
University; Rudi Horak, Sci-Enza, South Africa; Sivuyile Manxoyi, South African Astronomical Observatory
Group 3: Module B (first half) – Outreach and evaluation
During the first half of this module, Group 3 participants will consider best practice and share their
experience of outreach and evaluation.
Facilitators for the first half:
Prof Mike Gore, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University;
Thami Mangena, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, South Africa; Busi Maqubela, AcelorMittal Science Centre, South Africa;
Bafedile Kgwadi, South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
14:45 to 15:00 Afternoon Tea
15:00 to 17:00 Session 7 – Module Programme (continued)
Group 1: Module C (second half) Science shows and demonstrations
During the second half of this module, Group 1 participants will observe a science show; consider good and bad
demonstrations; and undertake a group exercise on using props.
Facilitators for the second half:
Graham Walker, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University;
Michael Ellis, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, South Africa; Mondli Mnguni, Mondi Science Centre, South Africa
Group 2: Module A (second half) – Teacher professional development
During the second half, Group 2 participants will undertake a practical workshop to illustrate effective principles
for interactive teaching-learning in science.
Facilitators for the second half:
Prof Sue Stocklmayer, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National
University; Thami Mangena, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, South Africa; Busi Maqubela, AcelorMittal Science
Centre, South Africa; Sivuyile Manxoyi, South African Astronomical Observatory
Group 3: Module B (second half) – Exhibits, outreach and evaluation
During the second half of this module, Group 3 participants will have the option of: (1) Walk and talk around
exhibits with Mike Gore; (2) Small group informal discussions; or (3) an early finish to the day's programme.
Facilitator for the second half:
Prof Mike Gore, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University;
Bafedile Kgwadi, South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement
Sunday, 4 September 2011
Making science centres work: planning a new centre or further developing an existing one
08:45 to 10:30 Free time for strategic planning
10:30 to 11:00 Morning tea
11:00 to 12:30 Session 8 – Plenary session: Issues in developing a science centre
A panel of facilitators share their key learnings about establishing or developing a science centre with a
focus on not only what worked well, but also on what didn't work well. This is followed by Q&A and interactive
discussions between panelists.
Session facilitator:
Brenton Honeyman, Questacon – Australia's National Science and Technology Centre
Session panelists:
Mijbil Almutawa, The Scientific Center of Kuwait
Prof Graham Durant, Questacon – Australia's National Science and Technology Centre
Derek Fish, Unizul Science Centre, South Africa
Prof Mike Gore, Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, Australian National University
Rudi Horak, Sci-Enza, South Africa
Erik Jacquemyn, Technopolis – The Flemish Science Centre, Belgium
Alejandra León-Castellá, CIENTEC, Costa Rica
Ronen Mir, MadaTech - The Israel National Museum of Science
12:30 to 13:30 Lunch
13:30 to 14:45 Session 9 – Developing a strategic plan
As individuals, or in small groups, participants, with help from African and international facilitators, develop
a draft strategic plan for the development of a science centre for their community, taking into account the
context and opportunities in their country, or to further develop an existing institution. The plan will
include steps that are achievable and realistic in terms of their country's resources and capacity.
14:45 to 15:00 Afternoon tea
15:00 to 15:30 Session 10 – Plenary session: Joining the worldwide science centre community
This session will share how the worldwide science centre community might assist the ongoing development of
science centres throughout Africa. This might include possible mechanisms to link African science centres with
existing networks, centres or institutions in other parts of the world to help in their establishment and
further development. Representatives from major networks will affirm their support from around the world.
Session facilitators:
Julie Cleverdon, Chair, Southern African Association of Science and Technology Centres
Walter Staveloz, International Relations, Association of Science-Technology Centers Inc.
Session speaker:
Prof Graham Durant, Questacon – Australia's National Science and Technology Centre
Network representatives:
Dr Mamoru Mohri, President, ASPAC
Anthony (Bud) Rock, CEO, ASTC
Erik Jacquemyn, Board Member, ECSITE
Mijbil Almutawa, President, NAMES
Ganga Rautela, Director General, NCSM
Joaquin Fargas, Executive Director, RedPOP
Julie Cleverdon, Chair, SAASTEC
15:30 to 15:45 Session 11 – Closing plenary session
Closing remarks by Workshop Chairman:
Prof Mohamed H.A. Hassan, Workshop Chairman and Co-Chair, IAP: The Global Network of Science Academies
