CUT exposes Lejweleputswa Grade 9 learners to careers in STEM

Health and Environmental Sciences CUT News Teaching and Learning
CUT exposes Lejweleputswa Grade 9 learners to careers in STEM

About 200 Grade 9 learners from the Lejweleputswa District in the Free State were hosted by the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) STEM Academy and the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, on Friday, 29 April 2022, where they were exposed to lab experiments and various career choices available when doing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects.

Welcoming the learners to the Bloemfontein Campus, acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Prof. Samson Mashele, stated that it is essential that learners are exposed to various career options available in STEM before they choose the grade 10 subjects. “It is very important for us to prepare learners of today to be able to play a significant role in solving the problems that face society currently. We often find that those who want to lead should know that you cannot lead without knowledge. STEM subjects can help equip our learners to be able to find solutions to the problems society is faced with, which is why it is so important that we make sure that our youth are grounded in STEM. Which is why you are here today, to be exposed to the possibilities that STEM subjects offer, not only in choosing a career but also in how you will contribute to society,” said Prof. Mashele.

The learners visited the Agriculture Lab, where they learnt about plant and animal cells, as well as being exposed to how the labs work with samples. The visit to the Clinical Science Lab included a lesson on the digestive system, while they also learnt about the circulatory and respiratory systems at the Life Sciences Lab. Learners also visited the Health Sciences Lab where they received a lesson on human reproduction and the various careers available in Clinical Technology.

Refilwe Ntsane from Reatlehile Secondary School said she was intrigued by the various lessons. “I had so much fun learning today, I mostly enjoyed the lessons we haven’t learnt at school yet and by the time we get to those lessons, we will already have some knowledge of them. I am definitely continuing with maths and science until matric, I can see myself in a STEM career, and I was mostly impressed by a career in Clinical Technology.”

Katleho Goliathe from Rearabetswe Secondary School said that he welcomed the exposure to STEM as it gave him more options when choosing a career. “I learnt a lot today, especially about the reproductive system and I was most impressed with the digestive system. I’m still not sure about a career in STEM but I now have more options to choose from and I will consider all these options when picking my subjects in grade 10.”

The visit offered Grade 9 learners a chance to learn more about STEM ahead of them making their subject choices for Grade 10 and hopefully planting a seed for them to consider CUT for furthering their studies when they reach Grade 12.

 

Caption

Learners form the Lejweleputswa District visited the CUT STEM Academy and the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, to encourage them to consider a career in STEM when making the Grade 10 subject choice.

Uploaded: 04 May 2022
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