Science Communication
Science communication/public engagement is vital to the scientific process and has immense benefits at institutional, individual, and societal levels. Universities and scientific institutions, together with academics and researchers, are key players in bridging the science-society gap and inspiring positive change. The public science communication agenda at AIMS South Africa has always been integral to its vision and mission, as stated in its Institutional Strategy. In addition to conducting and fostering outstanding research, AIMS students and scientists are expected to engage interactively with wider audiences.
Africa Scientifique Programme
The programme has been successfully delivered annually to the cohort of AIMS South Africa Master’s students since 2020 in partnership with African Gong. In line with the South African government’s strategic objectives for its transformation agenda, it has been expanded to include students and Lecturers from Historically Disadvantaged Institutions (HDI’s) in South Africa. The first two beneficiaries of this expanded provision in 2024 are the University of Venda and the Walter Sisulu University.
It is delivered in three phases: Africa Scientifique Introductory Workshop, the three-day Africa Scientifique Workshop, and the six-months post-workshop mentoring and project activities. The programme is delivered jointly by AIMS House of Science in partnership with African Gong.
Phase 1: An Introductory Workshop
The introductory workshop introduce the participants to the background and rationale concerning the Africa Scientifique programme, its transformational pan-African contexts, and the envisaged outcomes for participants.
Phase 2: A 3-day Africa Scientifique Workshop
The workshop allows participants to delve deeper into the world of science communication and the potential leverages that it can engender in their career advancement. Over the three intensive days, the participants are provided with thought-provoking, hands-on, informative, inclusive, transformative, and interactive sessions and networking opportunities.
Phase 3: 6-month Africa Scientifique Post Workshop Support
Delivery of Science Communication Outreach Project Activities: The critical aspect of the Africa Scientifique programme is that students are supported during the six-month Africa Scientifique Post-Workshop when they design, deliver and evaluate their science communication projects. The projects addressed societal challenges using mathematical science knowledge and research in their communities.
✨1st cohort of AIMS Master’s Students: Inaugural Africa Scientifique Programme - 2020
📆 2020 Schedule 📆
Phase 1: 22 July 2020 (online)
Phase 2: 28 – 30 September 2020 (in person at AIMS South Africa)
3-day Workshop Summary and Impact: AIMS Master’s students equipped with Leadership, Knowledge & Skills for Science Communication & Public Engagement
Phase 3: October 2020 - March 2021 (online & in person)
2020 Phase 2 - Snapshot of the participants
#Testimonials: Djoumessi Donteu Kerol Roussin - Participant of the Africa Scientifique 2020 Programme, talking about his challenges with science communication and the benefits and impact of the programme on his skills, leadership and knowledge. (Video in French)
✨ Africa Scientifique Programme: 2nd cohort of AIMS master’s students - 2021
📆 2021 Schedule 📆
Phase 1: 24 June 2021 (online)
Phase 2: 25 – 27 August 2021 (in person)
3-day Workshop Summary and Impact: The 2nd group of AIMS South Africa Master’s students equipped with science communication skills
Phase 3: September 2021 - February 2022 (online & in person)
2021 Phase 2 - Snapshot of the participants
#Testimonials: Thembelihle Dlamini - Participant of the Africa Scientifique 2021 Programme, talking about her challenges with science communication and the benefits and impact of the programme on her skills, leadership and knowledge for public engagement.
✨ Africa Scientifique Programme: 3rd cohort of AIMS Master’s Students - 2022
📆 2022 Schedule 📆
Phase 1: February 25, 2022 (online)
Phase 2: April 11-13 (in person)
3-day Workshop Summary and Impact: The 3rd Cohort of AIMS South Africa Master’s Students Trained in Science Communication Skills
Phase 3: May - November 2022 (online & in person)
2022 Phase 2 - Snapshot of the participants
#Testimonials: Enock Mwenitete - Participant of the Africa Scientifique 2021 Programme, talking about the benefits and impact of the programme on his skills, leadership and knowledge for public engagement.
✨ Africa Scientifique Programme: 4th cohort of AIMS master’s students - 2023
📆 2023 Schedule 📆
Phase 1: February 24, 2023 (in person)
Phase 2: April 11-13 (in person)
3-day Workshop Summary and Impact: The 4th cohort of AIMS South Africa’s young researchers trained to deliver impactful Afrocentric Science Communication
Phase 3: May - November 2022 (online & in person)
2023 Phase 2 - Snapshot of the participants
#Testimonials: Maitielo Maanaso - talking about her Africa Scientifique 2023 post-workshop science communication project concept. Her project aims to inspire and empower the youth in her community to embrace technology confidently and view mathematics as a valuable tool rather than a daunting subject.
✨Africa Scientifique Programme: 5th cohort of AIMS Master’s Students, University of Venda and the Walter Sisulu University Honours Students - 2024
The 2024 programme was expanded to include Honours students from Historically Disadvantaged Universities in South Africa, namely the University of Venda (UNIVEN) and the Walter Sisulu University (WSU). The expansion is in line with AIMS's strategic objectives and the DSI imperatives. The expansion will enable the programme to benefit more universities in South Africa, as each year, two HDI universities will be invited to participate.
📆 2024 Schedule 📆
Phase 1: Introduction to Programme
AIMS South Africa: 23 FEBRUARY 2024 | 14:00 - 16:00 | Muizenberg
Walter Sisulu University: 9 APRIL 2024 | 11:00-12:30 | Online
University of Venda: 9 APRIL 2024 | 14:00- 15:30 | Online
Phase 2: 3-day Workshop
17-19 April 2024 | 09:00 - 17:00 | Muizenberg
Phase 3: 6-Month Post-Workshop Mentoring & Project Activities Support
2024 Phase 2 - Snapshot of the participants
University of Venda (UNIVEN) and the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) participants en route to their airports to catch flights to Cape Town to participate in the 3-day 2024 AS Workshop.
AIMS Master’s Students Afrocentric Science Communication Projects to Address Local Societal Challenges (2020, 2021 & 2022)
Thandiwe Dlamini delivering her Africa Scientifique post-workshop science communication project on vaccination lottery in her community in Eswatini.
The Africa Scientifique (AS) Programme provides students with an opportunity to put into practice, during six months post-Workshop Project Support (Phase 3), the science communication knowledge and skills gained from its (AS) three-day Workshop (Phase 2). The students are usually expected to design, deliver and evaluate their public engagement and outreach activities with mentoring support from the AIMS House of Science and African Gong.
The project activities demonstrate students’ creativity, innovation, leadership, empowerment, and the impact of the programme in terms of how mathematics can be used to address societal challenges. They (activities) further illustrate the diversity of public audiences (particularly the hard-to-reach and/or neglected), geographical locations, Read more...
“Mathematics is everything as it is at the core of everything, and we can make an impact once we learn how to communicate in a way society understands”
For more information about the Africa Scientifique Programme background, please visit https://www.africangong.org/capacity-building-flagship-programmes/