Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) education sessions
The GMMDC recently established a multi-year partnership over the next three years with ISUZU to deliver STEM skills development and support programmes for Mathematics teachers and learners at three leading under-resourced schools in Gqeberha, namely Kwazakele, Newell and Sopahakama high schools.
This initiative supports the integration of Techno-blended STEAM Education models in schools to foster sustainable development. Three after-school STEAM education workshops enhanced creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary applications of Mathematics and Science. Group activities included playful coding and geometric design challenges.
STEAM activity workshops
The second regional STEAM workshop for teachers and 50 learners at Steve Tshwete Secondary School in Keiskammahoek, near King Williamstown was part of a structured, multi-year Integrated Maths Science and Technology (IMST) Support Programme, sponsored by the Eskom Development Foundation.
The programme includes GammaTutor resources, teacher development sessions, and support for Grade 10 to 12 learner incubation at 11 underserved rural schools in the region. Creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary applications of Mathematics and Science took place through practical activities.
The learners were also introduced to playful coding and geometric design challenges that do not require access to internet or computer equipment. STEM career opportunities were also shared.
STEAM coding workshop session
A STEAM coding and problem-solving Workshop session was conducted for 40 Grade 12 learners at Berlin High School as of the GMMDC’s Future Mathematics development programme, sponsored by BankSeta.
The programme also features a series of 20 structured Technology-assisted After-school Programme Support (TAPS) sessions over nine months for matric learners, led by a local teacher trained and equipped by GMMDC.
Additionally, 25 matric learners received sponsored tablets, pre-installed with techno-blended resources, to use for TAPS and to facilitate self-directed learning in Mathematics and Physical Sciences.
STEAM activity workshop
Some Mathematics 40 learners from the Buffalo Metro Inner City High School in East London attended a STEAM education workshop fostering creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and the interdisciplinary application of Mathematics and Science.
It also focused on promoting STEM career opportunities in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) to the participating learners.
This school forms part of a trio of urban schools benefiting from the multi-year Integrated Mathematics Science and Technology (IMST) programme, sponsored by the Automotive Industry Development Corporation in the Eastern Cape Province (AIDC EC).
STEM Engagement Networking
From left, Professor Werner Olivier and Thea de Wet, Drs Carine Steyn and Lindiwe Mokotjo, and Flora Olivier
The GMMDC recently met with members of the Academic Development Centre at the University of Johannesburg at their invitation to explore potential collaboration in STEAM education. This meeting builds on recent interactions between the Centre and Dr Lindiwe Mokotjo, the newly appointed Head of Academic Development Support at UJ.
Prof Thea de Wet, Senior Director of Academic Development and Support at UJ, led the meeting and showed keen interest in the GMMDC’s initiatives and their ability to support UJ in addressing STEM engagement challenges in schools.
The Science Learning Centre for Africa (SLCA) at the University of the Western Cape was also visited to establish collaborative ties to advance STEM education among educators and learners in underserved schools.
There are strong synergies between the engagement agendas of centres in promoting science and skills development for sustainable development.
The SLCA has shown interest in adopting GMMDC’s techno-blended approach to enhance STEAM education in schools and recently, the SLCA has launched engagement initiatives to introduce robotics and coding support programmes in Western Cape schools, as well as their inaugural STEAM art competition titled "The Beauty of Astronomy."
This initiative was inspired by GMMDC's successful national MathArt competition in schools from 2018 to 2023.
Education staff and student capacitation
A specialised training session at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in Pretoria, provided GammaTutor teaching resources and training to faculty and senior students from the School of Education as part of the ongoing STEM engagement collaboration project between GMMDC and TUT in Gauteng.
The project started in 2023 and focuses on enhancing Mathematics and Science education in underserved schools in the region. The current initiative enhances the capability of staff and senior students at TUT to integrate technology into the training of Mathematics and Science education students.
Mathematics teacher programmes
An accredited two-day Professional Learning Network (PLN) programme was offered to 30 in-service Mathematics Teachers in Bloemfontein.
The GMMDC’s Mathematics Teacher Resourcing and Skills Development Programme in the Free State, initiated in 2023, continued in July 2024 with the delivery of two SACE-accredited one-day short-learning programmes focused on Trigonometry and Geometry.
These programmes specifically benefitted educators from a cluster of 10 underserved schools in the Gariep district of the Free State Province. Cutting-edge mobile learning resources were also distributed to enhance offline and online teaching support.
This initiative is part of a broader project aimed at providing high-quality Techno-Blended STEM resources to under-resourced schools while cultivating a professional learning network among Mathematics educators.
The goal is to actively promote 21st-century classroom practices. The Free State Department of Education has expressed full support and appreciation for this initiative, recognising its alignment with their strategic objective of empowering teachers to deliver high-quality STEM education in schools.
Two accredited one-day Professional Learning Network (PLN) short learning programmes were offered to 60 in-service Mathematics Teachers at the Market Place Academy premises in Boksburg Gauteng.
The GMMDC continued their partnership with the Mathematics Initiative for National Development of Youth (MINDY) Mathematics Teacher Development Project and Market Place Academy, extending an active STEM engagement partnership by providing accredited training to two cohorts of in-service Mathematics teachers from seven secondary schools in the Boksburg region of Gauteng.
This strategic initiative, spanning 18 months and starting in June 2023, is designed to enhance the professional skills of 60 in-service Mathematics teachers. Additionally, the programme mentors teachers in effectively supporting learners using the GMMDC’s innovative digital learning materials, fostering impactful self-directed STEM learning beyond regular school hours.
A Professional Learning Network (PLN) short learning programme was offered to in-service Mathematics Teachers from schools in the Nelson Mandela Metro.
The GMMDC hosted a SACE-accredited one-day Professional Learning Network (PLN) short learning programme for in-service Mathematics Teachers from schools in the Nelson Mandela Metro as part of a series of four local short learning programmes offered annually, as a self-funded engagement project.
The training took place at Mandela University’s Bird Street Campus with Mathematics teachers from Isuzu and AIDC project schools in the metro. The programme focused on Trigonometry and included sessions on STEAM education methods, as well as the innovative use of GeoGebra applets to support mobile learning of Mathematics in schools.
The GMMDC-AIDC Eastern Cape Project also includes tablet-assisted TAPS Learner Incubation for selected Grade 11 and 12 students, Mathematics Teacher Development, mobile learning school support, and the provision of Gamma resources in schools.
A Professional Learning Network (PLN) short learning programme was offered to in-service Mathematics Teachers from rural schools in the Amahlathi region of the Eastern Cape Province on Mandela Day
A modern SACE-accredited one-day short learning programme, focused on Trigonometry, was offered to a cohort of 30 in-service Mathematics teachers from rural parts of the Eastern Cape.
The training took place in Stutterheim with educators attending this session as part of a Professional Learning Network (PLN) project spanning two years, as part of the GMMDC’s Eskom Development Foundation, BankSeta, and AIDC projects in the region.
Teachers involved in the project, represented 15 under-resourced rural schools and received GMMDC’s offline digital teaching resources and were introduced to modern syllabus-aligned digital teaching strategies for the classroom.
This PLN training is a component of the Centre’s Techno-blended STEAM education engagement initiative, fostering sustainable skills development in secondary schools across the ECP.