Turn up the volume and turn down the heat – National Science Week 2019
Hip Hop U and Science Spaza kicked off National Science Week (NSW) with a bang!
We partnered with Bonwa Dance Company and learners from St. John’s DSG, Maritzburg College and Slangspruit Primary School to tackle this years theme, “Facing the Harsh Realities of Climate Change”.
In preparation for the the final event, students participated in the Fridays 4 Future environmental campaign events organized by the Pietermaritzburg Climate Change Coalition. This campaign aims to promote awareness about the impacts of climate change.
The Hip Hop Science Spaza collaboration enabled these inspiring young people to explore how climate change impacts their lives, and ways that they can effect change. Students were able to learn more about the science of climate change after talking to climate researchers from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, project members of the uMngeni Resillience Project as well as Prof. Cristina Trois, research Chair in Waste and Climate Change.
The schools then worked with local musicians as well as choreographer and dancer, Bonwa Mbontsi, to create unforgettable original hip hop performances which fostered awareness about the climate change. The week culminated in a hip hop extravaganza at St John’s DSG where all 3 schools performed their routines in front of friends, family and members of the public.
This event was featured on national television show Hectic Nine-9.
Hip Hop U and Science Spaza are initiatives of Jive Media Africa.
National Science Week is an annual event to celebrate South African research developments in science, technology and innovation. The event is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology and the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement.
