2003 Media release

There are no leisure holidays for South Africa's 300 budding female Einsteins as they participate in a mathematics, science and technology camp at the University of Cape Town between 7-16 December 2003.

These girls are members of an innovative R9 million project to destroy the myth that girls can't do maths and science and therefore are discouraged to take the requisite courses that would open career opportunities in maths and science.

The educational camp is the second this year, hosted by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) as part of the Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) Stars Programme for girl learners initiated in May 2003.

The programme, funded by the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) aims to improve the performance and participation of girl learners in mathematics and science and to create basic computer literacy. Sixty learners each from Gauteng, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu Natal, the Eastern Cape and Western Cape are participating in the programme. The learners range from Grades 9 to 11.

The SET Stars programme will run for the next three years, based on a two-pronged model where learners are exposed to educational camps and extra Saturday classes every week during school terms.

Lesley Di Santolo, Programme Manager for SAASTA says through a two-pronged approach where learners receive weekly tuition as well as a concentrated exposure to mathematics, science and computers during the camps, the effort towards improving the girls' performance in these subjects is sustained.

"The December educational camp will comprise daily intensive mathematics, science and computers sessions for the learners, as well as exposure to interesting excursions and workshops. Some of the highlights of the camp include an HIV/Aids awareness evening and a workshop on biotechnology," DiSantolo said.

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