|
|
Introduction
The Unesco-Associated Centre for Microscience Experiments is located at the University of the Witwatersrand,
Johannesburg. It forms part of the RADMASTE Centre of the Faculty of
Science. It was here that the small-scale science kits for students were
first conceptualised in 1993. Together with other UNESCO-associated
Centres around the World, it maintains the Global Programme for
Microscience endorsed by UNESCO.
The University of the Witwatersrand
The University of the Witwatersrand is an
urban university of roughly 20 000 students
who are registered in one of five Faculties:
Engineering & the Built Environment, Science,
Health Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences
& Education, and Commerce, Law &
Management.
Johannesburg is a commercial city of about 4
million people. As the leading city in Africa
it is classed as a World City. The region
around Johannesburg is the heartland of
South Africa. Whilst the University draws
many students from this area, a significant
fraction come from other provinces and
other countries - specially other countries
in Africa.
About Microscience
The RADMASTE Centre is located at the University of the Witwatersrand,
Johannesburg. It forms part of the RADMASTE Centre of the Faculty of
Science. It was here that the small-scale science kits for students were
first conceptualised in 1993. Together with other UNESCO-associated
Centres around the World, it maintains the Global Programme for
Microscience endorsed by UNESCO.
The Centre for Research and
Development in Mathematics, Science
and Technology Education
(RADMASTE Centre) was established
in 1990 as a self-funding unit. Its
general aim is to promote the quality,
relevance and accessibility of
mathematics, science and technology
education. It does this by undertaking
research and development at all
educational levels. It provides and participates in curriculum
development, teacher training, innovations in teaching and learning,
authoring of textbooks and electronic materials, employing a staff of
about 20 people.
In cooperation with the Faculty of
Science and the School of Education,
RADMASTE staff participate in the
delivery of BScHonours, MSc and
ACE programmes for mathematics
and science educators.
The RADMASTE Centre has access to
the University infrastructure, which
makes available extensive library,
information, computing and
communication facilities. It also has access to a large number of
academic scientists and science educators as University colleagues.
The UNESCO-associated Centre for Microscience Experiments
The UNESCO Centre integrates its activities with the broader range of
activities of the RADMASTE Centre, which are driven primarily by local
(South African) needs. The RADMASTE Centre undertakes
microscience implementation and training projects in different provinces
in cooperation with the national and provincial Departments of
Education and various donors.
These activities involve extensive teacher
training programmes and development of
locally-relevant teaching and learning
materials. These materials are mostly in
print and in English, but are available
electronically also. Videotapes and
computer-based learning materials have
also been developed within some projects.
|
|
