Science Centre/Museum Framework at Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT), Bloemfontein Campus (South Africa)

Research Field:Science Education

Research Content:

As a research and academic institution, Science Museum/Centre will serve the greater community of Free state and institution. It will help them to acquire skills required for sustainable development and education towards STEM. It will be easily accessible to these communities and industries will be excited to invest in its activities.According to Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS) and the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report, not enough school leavers in South Africa are not competent and is "not making much headway" in these subjects. (Student Brands - Free State is a distinction province, Jan 2017) So, to instill interest, passion, and awareness, as well as student retention and in increase in STEM subjects and increase in STEM subjects’ performance, in CUT, schools, and its neighbouring communities, Science/Museum would a legitimate platform and forum and place for both practical and interactive visual and hands-on actively.

Research Results:

As a community-based project, researcher, academics, and students will be able to display their research and improve on it. School learners and educators will have free access for demonstration and practical activities, learners and local communities, unemployed youth, and adults, will also indulge in audio and visual activities including simulation to arouse their interests in STEM. It will also serve as a tool for Public Understanding and Awareness of Science where more retention and interests of young generation, students, researchers, academics, and general public will be achieved, increasing a greater performance as well in school and tertiary results. It will increase and promote research output in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics within the institution and local communities.