It has been said that an institution’s culture is -for the most part at least- defined by those who found or lead it, and as such, it’s a testament to Soofia Science Festival organisers that it took me only a few minutes of being at their 3rd Science Festival to realize that what I was seeing around me was essentially an extension of their personality, passion, and purpose.
Soofia International School (SIS) is aware of the changes brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) it is with this note that Soofia found it worthy to create awareness, motivate students and involving relevant stakeholders and policy makers by organizing a science festival on the 4IR.
More than 10 high schools attended this year’s instalment of Soofia Science Festival which ran the whole day this past Friday. With its open layout, conversational setting, and casual vibe making for a rather collaborative atmosphere that permeated all sessions of the event the Soofia Science Festival 3 was dubbed “The Future of Students in the Era of 4IR.”
The precious event was graced with the presence of the Chief Executive Officer of Examination Council of Lesotho Dr Lits’abako Ntoi and the Chief Education Officer Secondary Mrs.‘Mabakubung Makakane Seutloali who both shared light on the need for a change in a changing world.
This ambience wasn’t something that happened just by chance though- through a conversation with Mike, Head of Department of Science, I understood that all of what I was seeing and experiencing was made possible through months of work, planning, and design by the Soofia Department of Science.
The festival was broken down into five categories, namely; SSF Junior Quiz, SSF Senior Quiz, SSF Project, SSF Presentation and Panel Discussion. Ten schools from around Lesotho participated in the event.
The panel discussion covered presentations by Ms Thato Mochone, Ms Lerato Mphaka and Mr Robert Nyabawa based on the topic, “The Roles of all stakeholders of Education in 4IR, the roles of Educators and Parents in 4IR and the roles of Government and Policymakers in 4IR”.
Dr Makomesela Qhobela gave SSF Third Annual Talk based on what the future of work might look like and its implications for the younger generation studying to enter the future workforce. We are also honoured with the presence of Dr Molisana as a Soofia International School Parent Teacher Association representative and overseer of the SSF 3.
SSF PROJECT
A participating school was requested to prepare a theoretical model or a working based on creativity and automation as 4IR is more focused on automation.
RESULTS:
Position 1: Soofia International School (Gold Trophy for the school, gold medal per individual Nedbank Award R 1000, Soofia Award R2000)
Position 2: Leribe English Medium School (Silver Trophy for the school, individual silver medals, Soofia Award R 1000)
Position 3: Khethisa High School (Bronze Trophy for school, individual bronze medals, Soofia Award R 800)
ADJUDICATORS: Mr Nvulane Nhlapo, Mr Thabeli Tjabane ,Ms Itumeleng Mokhochane
SSF PRESENTATION
Students prepared a presentation based on the topic “4IR an Opportunity or Threat or the Future Workforce”
RESULTS:
Position 1: Leribe English Medium School (Gold Trophy for the school, gold medal per individual, Soofia Award R2000, Saverite Award R500 shopping voucher)
Position 2: Soofia International School (Silver Trophy for the school, individual silver medals, Soofia Award R 1000)
Position 3: Molapo High School (Bronze Trophy for school, individual bronze medals, Soofia Award R 800)
ADJUDICATORS: Mr Robert Nyabawa, Ms Lerato Mphaka, Ms Thato Mochone
SSF SENIOR QUIZ and SSF JUNIOR QUIZ
Both quizzes are conducted online as with automatic feedback and analysis. The students answered questions based on general science knowledge thus Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Geography and Information Communication Technology.
RESULTS (Senior Science Quiz):
Position 1: Soofia International School (Gold Trophy for the school, individual gold medal, Soofia Award R2000,Saverite Award R500 shopping voucher)
Position 2: Leribe English Medium School (Silver Trophy for the school, individual silver medal, Soofia Award R 1000)
Position 3: Soofia International School (Bronze Trophy for school, individual bronze medals, Soofia Award R 800)
RESULTS (Junior Science Quiz):
Position 1: Soofia International School (Gold Trophy for the school, individual gold medal, Soofia Award R2000, Saverite Award R500 shopping voucher)
Position 2: Leribe English Medium School (Silver Trophy for the school, individual silver medal, Soofia Award R 1000)
Position 3: Leribe English Medium School (Bronze Trophy for school, individual silver medals, Soofia Award R 800)