World Science Forum 2022

The Science Spaza team was at the Department of Science and Innovation's World Science Forum 2022 - the first to be held on the African continent!

The team enjoyed the opportunity to engage with learners and partners around science outreach.

COVID-19 - Let's catch up with a scientist!

Dr Ngcebo Mhlongo, a medical doctor based at the Africa Health Research Institute in KwaZulu-Natal, takes us through how we can help stop the spread of COVID-19, and what we can do to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.

How can I help stop the spread of COVID-19?

Stay at home if you can, as our president has instructed. The virus spreads when you inhale droplets from an infected person who coughs or sneezes – or even talks. The danger is that some people may not know they are infected while spreading the virus. By staying away from public places and not visiting friends and family, you will help to protect yourselves and others. If you must go out for work, for groceries or to a healthcare facility, stay at least two metres away from other people and make sure you wear a cloth face covering. Wash your hands frequently with soapy water for at least 20 seconds. If you do not have water and soap close by, use hand sanitiser, but soap and water are best. Avoid touching your face, because you could have touched contaminated surfaces, and then when you touch your nose, eyes or mouth, you get
infected. At home, make sure you regularly clean surfaces that you touch often – like doorknobs and light switches.

How can I protect myself?

There is no cure or vaccine for COVID-19 yet, but if you have a strong immune system, your body can fight off the virus. Most infected people will get better. To stay healthy, follow the above advice and maintain a healthy lifestyle through eating healthy food, drinking enough water and exercising (within lockdown regulations). It is important for people with HIV, TB, diabetes and other conditions to continue taking their medication as usual. If you are feeling sick in any way, please consult your doctor or clinic. Do not ignore any health problems, because now it is more important than ever to know everything about your health.

This article was published in collaboration with the Africa Health Research Institute.

Fighting the TB battle

Hip Hop Science Spaza collaborated with learners from Cedar High School of the Arts and researchers from Stellenbosch University’s Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics (MBHG) to host another successful intervention! This time, learners from Cedar High interacted with MBHG researchers to learn all about Tuberculosis (TB). Researchers set up awesome learning stations for the learners where they could participate in fun activities and examine scientific equipment. The learners then wrote and recorded their OWN songs which they performed for their peers and parents at the final event. Pretty cool, eh!

Hip Hop Science Spaza created an opportunity for young people to interact with researchers to explore what TB is, how it is spread, the signs and symptoms of TB, how TB is diagnosed, how TB is treated and stigmas surrounding TB. Learners arrived for the sessions shy and nervous but best believe that by the end of the week, they were fired up to be a part of the TB conversation!

What can you do about climate change?

Start a home garden

You can plant your own fruit and veggies in a home garden. You will be helping the environment and saving money at the same time!

Make your own compost

Put leftover food in a compost heap. You can use compost to grow new plants. Making compost also reduces space used for landfills and creates healthy soil.

Plant indigenous

Plant indigenous species of plants. They use less water and provide food and habitat for animals.

Don’t use plastic

Plastic bags harm animals and the environment and take years to break down. Use your own canvas bag instead of plastic bags.

Reuse

Use a glass drinking bottle that can be washed out and used again. If you use items that can be reused, this results in less waste.

Become a Waste Picker

Start waste picking to make money. Waste pickers collect recyclable materials to resell to buyback centres.

Save water

Saving water is extremely important. All living species need water to survive. Always turn off your tap when you’re finished and fix all your plumbing leaks

Reduce power use

When you exit a room, always turn off the lights. Using electricity creates pollution. You will create far less pollution if you save electricity.

This article was published in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Affairs

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Hip Hop Science Spaza: Science Spaza collaborates with Hip Hop U

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International Year of the Periodic Table!

Yo yo! Well done to our IYPT 2019 competition winner, Xolani Nkunzi! He came up with the word "Hypothalamus". The hypothalamus is a small part of the brain that is responsible for the release of hormones and maintaining our body temperature among other things.