Bosso Ya Science – a community campaign hosted by Evaton Mall

In June and July this year, the Evaton Mall team hosted a science fair with a difference!

The Bosso Ya Science campaign was aimed at Grade 7 and Grade 9 children from the local community schools: Evaton West Primary School, Poelano High School and Letsema-Ilima Primary School and Beverly Hills Secondary School.

This 2-month campaign intended to make learning fun by giving the students a chance to experience science in interesting, entertaining ways. Evaton Mall wanted to encourage the students to come up with ways in which to assist their community, so they were given a choice of five projects to choose from for the fair: a 220V light bulb using a potato, a charcoal water purifier, a wind turbine to produce electricity, a solar panel made from cans and a water wheel. During demonstration events at each school, the children were able to ask questions and learn more about topics such as the best water conservation methods, how to keep water clean and how wind energy works, to name a few.

The participants visited the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, the perfect venue for the students to explore and understand the world of science. The centre offers a broad range of science and technology-related events, activities and programmes to encourage the acquisition of science knowledge, skills and attitudes that the students needed to develop their projects.

The students were then hosted at a holiday club like no other! Held at the Evaton Mall soccer park over 6 days, the students were split into groups, after which they were able to create their project, interact with industry leaders and listen to motivational speakers who shared their inspirational stories and experiences in their different fields. Speakers included ex-soccer player Brighton Mhlongo, Oupa Manyisa, fitness model Lethabo Monareng, Project co-ordinator Daniel Motsapi and Marketing Manager Mpho Liau. Topics ranged from teamwork and the importance of having confidence and believing in yourself, to the role of subject choices and trusting your process and following your dreams.

ArcelorMittal science centre lectures were presented every day to assist the learners with their projects, explaining the scientific methods to take when creating the projects and answering any questions the learners had pertaining to science.

Throughout the campaign, parents were updated on their child’s progress through a WhatsApp group. The purpose was to keep the parents informed and be a part of the experience, allowing them to engage with their children after each session.

The completed projects were then exhibited at Evaton Mall, where they were presented for judging. Overall, the campaign had 62 participating students with 16 groups presented their projects. The judges included Donnovan Pydigadu (COO of Fortress Real Estate), Brighton Mhlongo, Shirley Motlhajwa (Arcelomittal Science Centre Education Officer) and Dr Robin Nxele (Account Executive with a PHD in chemistry).

The Grade 7 winners were: Letsema-Illima Primary School: Naledi Mtambo, Naledi Mokoena and Tshepang Mokhele

The Grade 9 winners were: Poelano High School: Lerato Nhlapo, Kelebogile Motebele and Karabo Tshabalala.

The winners received school uniforms and a year’s worth of Pick n Pay ‘lunch box’ vouchers (R250 per month for 12 months) and R5,000 in Evaton Mall tenant vouchers. The winning schools received a screen and wifi access for a year to access an online teaching platform.

For more information, please visit https://shopevatonmall.co.za/.?