2019

2019 has been a significant year for science - it was proclaimed by UNESCO as the International Year of the Periodic Table and The International Year of Indigenous Languages. It is important and in any production process to have a stable supply of quality raw material and education is no different. Unfortunately, in the past two decades there has been a decline in the number of scholars selecting science in the upper school grades. In addition, the weak general school education coupled with a weak economy has impacted the intake numbers for chemistry courses. One of the drives to strengthen our community engagement footprint was to increase our reach into schools and the public with the end goal of rekindling a passion for science, and in particular, chemistry.

The Chemistry Department was active in engagement this year both in school outreach events as well as in industrial engagement. This year the Department has seen expansion of activities compared to former years with successful collaborations between the Education Department of the university and the Eastern Cape Education Department as well as the Eskom Expo. The Science to Schools project has also received some funding from industry and non-profit organizations marking a step toward greater sustainability. A key to success in industrial and community engagement is dedicated staff and students, and in the Chemistry Department we are fortunate to have enthusiastic teams driving the engagement thrust; the Department is grateful for the contributions from academics, technical and administrative staff and students. Here follows a report of the chief engagement activities, so read on to learn what the Chemistry Department has been doing over the last year.

Activities that took place in 2019

Activity Proposed Date Responsible persons
1. Public lecture by Dr R. Betz Title: The Periodic Table of the Elements - Where from? Where at? Where to? 29 May 2019 (NMU, Building 127 Auditorium, 13:00-14:00) Mr Nehemiah Latolla, Ms Zimkitha Dyan, Ms Anita Noah, Dr Buyiswa Hlangothi, Prof Zeni Tshentu and Dr Richard Betz
2. Chemistry Demonstrations and naming exercise (Western Suburbs schools) 12 June 2019 (NMU, 35:01:01, 14:00-16:00) Mr J. Austin, Mr N. Latolla, Dr R. Betz, Dr G. Rubidge, Ms A. Noah, Dr Z. Kondowe, Dr B. Hlangothi, Mr A. Klaas, Ms Y. Sonqishe, Dr M. Phiri, and Prof. Z. Tshentu
3. EXTRA Papenkuils Primary Show PP School hall, 100 children, 10:30-12:30 GR
4. Chemistry Demonstrations and naming exercise (Motherwell Schools) 18 July 2019 (Raymond Mhlaba center, 12:00-14:00) Mr M. Swaartbooi, Mr N. Latolla, Dr R. Betz, Dr G. Rubidge, Ms A. Noah, Dr Z. Kondowe, Dr B. Hlangothi, Mr A. Klaas, Ms Y. Sonqishe, Dr M. Phiri, and Prof. Z. Tshentu
5. Chemistry Demonstrations and naming exercise (NMU Students and Staff) Proposed date: 3 October Mr N. Latolla, Dr R. Betz, Dr G. Rubidge, Ms A. Noah, Dr Z. Kondowe, Dr B. Hlangothi, Mr A. Klaas, Ms Y. Sonqishe, Dr M. Phiri, Mrs Kina Muller and Prof. Z. Tshentu
6. Chemistry Demonstrations and naming exercise (Cala) Cancelled Dr Rubidge, Mr Nehemiah Latolla, and other
7. Chemistry show for Expo Event Diaz Primary 25 July 11:30-12:30 Dr Rubidge and ISTs
8. Chemistry Demonstration – Expert Minds (Walmer) 26 July 8:30-9:30 Dr Rubidge & Son
9. Chemistry Stall and Show Walmer High 29 July 9:00 – 12:00 Dr Rubidge, T Swartbooi, Ocean Sciences Staff
10. Public lecture by Dr M. Weigt. Title: The creation of the elements of the periodic table in stars. NSW, 1 August 2019, (NMU, Building 127 Auditorium, 13:00-14:00) Dr G. Rubidge, Dr R. Betz, Mr Nehemiah Latolla, Ms Zimkitha Dyan, Dr Buyiswa Hlangothi, Prof Zeni Tshentu and Dr Martin Weigt.
11. Chemistry Demonstrations and naming exercise (NMB Science and Technology Centre) NSW, 2 August 2019, NMB Science and Technology Centre in Uitenhage (10:00-12:00) Mrs Singathwa Kuli, Mr N. Latolla, Dr R. Betz, Dr G. Rubidge, L Waka, K Govender, Ms A. Noah, Dr Z. Kondowe, Dr B. Hlangothi, Mr A. Klaas, Ms Y. Sonqishe, Dr M. Phiri, Mrs Kina Muller and Prof. Z. Tshentu
12. Eskom Expo – Juniors chem show and possibly naming 6 Aug Missionvale Sports center ~12:00 Dr G Rubidge, K Govender, L Waka
13. Eskom Expo – Seniors chem show and possibly naming 7 Aug Missionvale Sports center ~12:00 Dr G Rubidge, K Govender, L Waka
14. STEM group visit North Campus labs A219 10 Sept 14:00 A219 Dr G Rubidge, K Govender, L Waka
15. Northern Areas Schools visit to NC labs Chem Show and Naming (Cedric Frank) 16 September, A219 11:00 Dr G Rubidge, K Govender, L Waka
16. Public lecture on “A journey on naming of chemical elements in indigenous languages” at NMU 9 September 2019, NMU, Council Chambers, Main Building, (13:00-14:00) Mr N. Latolla, Dr R. Betz, Dr G. Rubidge, Ms A. Noah, Dr Z. Kondowe, Dr B. Hlangothi, Mr A. Klaas, Ms Y. Sonqishe, Dr M. Phiri, Mrs Kina Muller and Prof. Z. Tshentu
17. Grey Grade 4 Science show 25 October, Grey Junior Hall Prof B Barton, G Rubidge, assistants, L Waka, Ulrich,
18. Teacher training - chemistry demonstrations for scholars (Richman Festile) Proposed date: Nov(2019) during exam time at N Campus A219 Dr G Rubidge, K Govender, L Waka

A Grey boy volunteers to assist with a reaction

The blue bottle experiment

Combustion of CS2 and N2O – the barking dog reaction

Grey Grade 4 – Prof Barton introduces the periodic table

Introducing the gas laws using liquid nitrogen

 

Teacher training workshop

Below are a few pictures taken at the teacher training workshop was held on at North Campus in November by Dr Rubidge in conjunction with Richman Festile who is a Senior Education Specialist for Natural Science and Technology at the Eastern Cape Department of Education.

Drs Hlanghoti, Rubidge and Phiri prepare to introduce the periodic table to scholars in Motherwell.

Dr Rubidge discusses the influence of oxygen concentration on the rate of combustion of magnesium

The Chemistry Department hosted approximately 100 Grade 4 girls from Collegiate in June 2019. Prof Barton offered them the famous Chemistry Unplugged lecture, the brainchild of Prof McCleland. Mr Marchand and Mr Bashman, totally instrumental for this demonstration, very ably wowed the girls with explosions, colours, polymers, volcanoes, smells, dyes, fluorescence, and much more. This event has become somewhat of an annual one, and we expect to do very much the same in 2020!

The Collegiate girls were enthralled by the power of Chemistry!