Stellenbosch University (SU) will again host its popular High Science Meets High School Learners event this year. Two presentations will be held – on Thursday 25 July for learners in Grade 8 and 9 and on Thursday 1 August for learners in Grade 10 and 11.
These interactive events aim to inspire learners to consider research careers in the fields of science, engineering and technology (SET).
On Thursday 25 July Prof Valerie Corfield, Chief Medical Scientist and Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics at SU, will tell the learners about her 25-year-long career as a researcher in the field of inherited heart disease.
On Thursday 1 August Dr Ben Loos, a lecturer in the Department of Physiological Sciences at SU, will present his research work which focuses on the area of death in non-regenerative cells such as neurons or cardiac cells. The aim of his work is to prevent cell death that occurs either in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease or in the heart during a myocardial infarction.
"These events create a platform for promoting research as a career option to high school learners and thereby addressing the challenge of a shortage in the research workforce in the country, especially as South Africa is shifting to a knowledge-based economy," says Mr Mawethu Nyakatya, Coordinator: Research Partnerships and Communications in the Division for Research Development at SU.
As was the case last year, a DVD will be made of the presentations for distribution to local high schools. In this way, many more learners will have the opportunity of the "high science meets high school learner" experience and teachers will be able to use this resource to generate further learning materials.
The events, hosted by the Divisions for Research Development and Community Interaction at Stellenbosch University, are both to be held at 14:30 in the Fismer Hall of the Conservatoire in Victoria Street, Stellenbosch.
- Contact Mawethu Nyakatya at 021 808 9185, nyakatya@sun.ac.za or Rolene Liebenberg at 021 808 9142, rolene@sun.ac.za for more information.
More on the presenters:
Prof Valerie Corfield is a Chief Medical Scientist and Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics. She is last year's winner of the NSTF award for her outstanding contribution to SETI through Science Communication for Public Awareness. Prof Corfield's research focus for the past 25 years has been in the area of inherited heart disease in South Africa.
Dr Ben Loos is a lecturer in the Department of Physiological Sciences at Stellenbosch University. His research focus is in the area of death in non-regenerative cells such as neurons or cardiac cells. The aim of his research is to prevent cell death that occurs either in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's or in the heart during a myocardial infarction. The aim is to either make the cells stronger so that they can survive injury better, or to assist them in getting rid of toxic protein aggregates. His team uses a number of cutting edge techniques to zoom right into the mechanisms that control mitochondrial functioning, molecular trafficking, cell migration and cell death in order to find new and better ways to improve treatment and health care.
