Friday, July 8, 2011
Sasol, the DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Catalysis, the University of Cape Town (UCT), and PetroSA have developed a Chemical Industries Resource Pack for teachers and learners. The comprehensive learning kit is being distributed to more than 6,000 Grade 11 and 12 Physical Science teachers through training sessions throughout South Africa. This project aims to bring chemistry alive in the classroom. The next training session will be held in Mafikeng as part of the South African Association of Science and Technology Educators (SAASTE) conference from 10 to14 July 2011.

 
Sasol's chemistry workshop will support SAASTE's overall theme, "Innovations in Sciences and Technology Education for a developing South Africa." The workshop accommodates the changes within the Grade 11 and 12 Physical Science curriculums. These curriculums have been reviewed to include a stronger focus on the role of science in industry, technology and the environment. Teachers who attend will be equipped to teach chemistry in a way that helps learners understand its application in the real world.
 
To create a training session of this nature, UCT, Sasol and other industry leaders worked extensively to achieve an effective collaboration between scientists, engineers, educators and other academic teams. Together they documented all the chemical processes now included in the chemistry curriculum. The product of this engagement is a Chemical Industries Resource Pack that will provide teachers with material that is comprehensive and relevant. Teachers will be able to teach this new topic with confidence and expose learners to a vital set of industries in South Africa.
 
Having assessed classroom needs through a series of school trials, this comprehensive pack was developed to address those needs. The pack includes:
 
A teacher's guide with classroom activities and accompanying model solutions
A DVD with animations, video footage and chemical process simulations
A school research project with marking rubrics and guidelines on how to use it
A set of exemplar practical investigations
A set of posters of the prescribed chemical industries: the petrochemical industry, the chlor-alkali industry, fertilisers and batteries
A periodic table for classroom display
 

"We have bright minds in science who work at Sasol who continuously seek ways to develop, innovate and improve their methods to produce our range of products. We're delighted to be able to bring that expertise to learners and educators across the country in a way that captivates them," says Pam Mudhray, Group community affairs manager at Sasol.
 
"Working with Sasol on this project has given us a superb opportunity to use our educational and scientific expertise to benefit Physical Science teachers across the country. The Chemical Industries Resource Pack is being extremely well received by teachers who are participating in our workshops," says Associate Professor Jenni Case, academic coordinator of the project.
 
The resource pack and all the material is also available for download at no cost to users at http://www.sasol.com/learners/index.htm
 
Sasol's involvement in this project is part of the group's wider strategy of bringing the International Year of Chemistry (IYC) 2011 to South Africa. IYC 2011, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry initiative, is a global celebration of the achievements and impact of chemistry on societies and offers entertaining, interactive and educational activities for all ages.
 
Through the Chemical Industries Resource Pack project, and numerous other initiatives planned for IYC, Sasol hopes to stir the hearts and minds of students captivated by science and, in particular chemistry, that will see a new generation of scientists breaking new ground and reaching new frontiers.
 
SAASTE Conference details:
 
Date: 10-14 July
Venue: North West Mafikeng
 
For additional information on teacher training sessions and the SAASTE conference, please contact:
 
Rene Toerien
Rene.toerien@sasol.com
 
Tel: +27 (0) 21 650 5527
Fax: +27 (0) 86 607 0186