About the Discovery Centre

Why? To contribute to developing a culture of science and technology literacy, through communicating scientific principles to citizens where they learn, work and live. We place Science and Technology in the hands of people.

We are a Trust comprising the users and providers of Science- and Technology-literate graduates. We represent Education, Industry and Business. We are aligned with the Cape Higher Education Consortium.

What have we accomplished?

» A proven, multi-faceted delivery model «
» Transportable exhibits and mobile science centres «
» Serve learners and the general public «
» Create interactive exhibits at schools or community venues «
» 60 interactive, transportable exhibits illustrate more than 100 experiments and principles «

» Over 100 temporary "Discovery Centres" created nationwide since 1992 «

» Over 500 schools reached by the DiscoveryMobile since 1999 «

» Commissioned to develop additional mobile units «

» Project Management, Networking and Alliances «

» We have reached over 800 000 visitors in nine provinces «

Our core competency is making interactive science exhibitions accessible to people. We have established temporary Discovery Centres at schools, libraries, town halls, museums, universities and shopping malls across the country. For many learners attending under-resourced schools, these exhibits provide the only 3-D, interactive illustration of the scientific principles they study. For many communities these exhibitions are the closest they will ever get to a formal interactive science centre.

All our projects are:

Mobile or transportable - We bring science to you. The exhibits are designed for easy moving. Rural outreach is a particular focus.

Aligned with National Strategies - implemented by the Departments of National Education and Arts, Culture, Science and Technology.
Closely curriculum-related - The exhibits illustrate energy, electricity, mechanics, optics, sound, light, and many other topics. Alternatively display them according to the Natural Sciences Curriculum themes of Earth and Beyond, Life and Living, Matter and Materials and Energy and Change.
An action research environment - We conduct research into visitor response, usage rates by schools, popularity and robustness of exhibits, and impact assessment at venues.

The Discovery Centre currently manages various outreach programmes:

The DiscoveryMobile
- a science-exhibition on wheels, targeting younger learners and their families -

The Elenzululwazi Programme
- a transportable collection of exhibits, targeting older learners and the general public -

Parners Supporting Science, Maths and Technology (PSST!)
- a careers programme run in alliance with industry, business and academic partners -

AMANE Computyper
- the first step to computing by enabling users to become keyboard literate -

OUR AIMS

Promote science and technology by making them accessible, understandable and fun
Break down myths and barriers associated with these industries
Assist educators by providing hardware and facilities that embody OBE principles, and supplement talk, chalk and textbooks
Empower learners by combating self-limiting concepts and enabling them to see themselves as discoverers, as potential scientists, technologists...
Support the National Strategy to promote Public Understanding of Science and Technology by providing info- and edutainment to the general public

		Mr Peter Aspinall - CHAIRMAN Managing Director • Strategic Business Services www.sbs.co.za		Ms Melanie Stark Project Manager • Discovery Centre www.discoverycentre.org.za
		Prof Nico Beute - VICE CHAIRMAN Dean, Faculty of Engineering • Cape Peninsula Univ. of Technology www.cput.ac.za		Mr Colin de Kock - TREASURER Accountant • private practice
		Dr David Boonzaier Faculty of Health Services • Univ. of Cape Town		Mr Ian Staniland Managing Director, Ian Staniland & Assoc Architects
		Mr Makhwenkwe Mvalo Dept. Technology Promotion • Cape Peninsula Univ. of Technology www.cput.ac.za		Dr Johan van der Merwe R & D • Institute for Maritime Technology

The Board of Trustees is supported by a:

Mr Peter Aspinall - SECRETARY Strategic Business Services	Dr Oswald Franks CPUT, Dean: Architecture & Engineering	Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel Stellenbosh University, Dean: Engineering
Prof Nico Beute - CHAIRMAN CPUT, Dean: Engineering	Dr Dhiro Giwala - V. CHAIRMAN CPUT, Dean: Science	Mr Brian Schreuder WCED, Deputy Director-General: Education Planning and Development
Mr Peter Broster LEAF College	Prof Cyril O'Connor UCT, Dean: Engineering	Prof Jan van Beverdonker UWC, Dean: Science
Mr Malcolm Calderwood City of Cape Town	Prof B Reddy UCT, Dean: Science	Prof Albert van Jaarsveld Stellenbosch University, Dean: Science

Why? To contribute to developing a culture of science and technology literacy, through communicating scientific principles to citizens where they learn, work and live. We place Science and Technology in the hands of people.

We are a Trust comprising the users and providers of Science- and Technology-literate graduates. We represent Education, Industry and Business. We are aligned with the Cape Higher Education Consortium.

What have we accomplished?

All our projects are:

OUR AIMS

Read more about the Discovery Centre on-line at: