ss women in science special edition 2015
DESCRIPTION
Science Stars aims to excite and to encourage previously disadvantaged South African youth to develop an interest in studying Mathematics and Science subjects in schools and tertiary institutions. The magazine provides a regular source of informative, educational and inspirational articles.TRANSCRIPT
Special Edition | October/November 2015
WOMEN TRANSFORMING
SCIENCE
SCIENCESTARS
2 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
3Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
CO
NT
EN
Ts
FEATURES
8 history of women in science
22 wANGARI MAATHAI greenbelt
movement
24 how to beat stress with science
28 LIPSTICK WITH A TWIST
REGULARS
6 editor's note
29 careers
30 INSTITUTIONS
33 QUIZ
34 PUZZLE
35 ANSWERS
36 SCIENCE NEWS
CONTENTSCONTENTS
theFOREWORD
Oyama Matomela who is a young female from the Eastern Cape
who went through South African Express Cadet Programme hav-
ing acquired STEM subjects.
Furthermore, State Owned Companies within the portfolio of the
Department of Public Enterprises have invested over two thou-
sand million rands on STEM promotion in the education stream
through their Corporate Social investment (CSI) initiatives. In
addition, through the Department CSI Forum, a Flagship proj-
ect to promote technology based learning using satellite with
Stellenbosch University; the Telematics System has been initi-
ated. The Telematics System has to date; been installed in eight
schools based in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Kwa-Zulu Natal
and North West. The installation of the Telematics System also
benefits learners from neighbouring schools as they participate
in revision classes held on Saturdays. While it is true that the
country still has a lot of work to do in promoting youth; particu-
larly young women participation in STEM fields together with
State Own Companies as a driving force. The government contin-
ues to emphasise the need for young women to perform well in
Maths and Science subjects and to partake in programmes that
can develop a strong pool of leaders who are capable of leading
the country in the future.
State Owned Companies within the portfolio of the Department
of Public Enterprises have placed a strong emphasis on the role
of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). This
is evident in the vast number of initiatives undertaken under the
ambit of Corporate Social Investment. Initiatives aimed at promot-
ing STEM subjects in schools include Maths and Science Outreach
Projects, educator development programmes, Maths and Science
expos and career expos to name a few. The key need in promoting
STEM subjects is to garner a pool of maths and science matricu-
lants who qualify to enter into the pool of critical and scarce
skills in the country.
Thus learners need motivation, resources and mentorship in order
to excel in these fields. The initiatives carried out by the State
Owned Companies with regards to Maths and Science have been
carried out on a national platform, with a majority of these initia-
tives undertaken in provinces such as Limpopo, Northern Cape
and Mpumalanga to benefit rural schools and those previously
disadvantaged. In light of the above, initiatives aimed at promot-
ing STEM are strongly encouraged for girl learners who have been
disadvantaged given the perception that careers in Science and
Technology are reserved for the boy child.
South African Express sponsors the South African Women in
Aviation annual girls’ camp and the Taungana STEM career fair as
flagship programmes that focus on development of young women
in STEM. Both programmes aim to expose girl children to the
endless possibilities of Aviation and Engineering. Numerous testi-
monials of great stories of bright young women excelling within
respective SOCs have emerged. One such case is the story of Ms Lynne Brown Minister of Public Enterprises
The role of STEM in SA
FOREWORD
5Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
Women in South Africa make up half of the national workforce, earn more college and graduate degrees than men and represent a strong economic force in the world. However the gender divide in science still grows by the day. According to some estimates Science is one area where women have a very low representation. The issues that prevent more women from being involved in Science related fields are several. Among these are cultural aspects, young girls being pushed towards other professions from an early age, gender bias and the uneven allocation of resources in house-holds.
Africa, has a critical shortage of trained technological people. In 1980 North America had 2679 scientists and engineers involved in research and development per million population; Latin America had 251; Africa had only 49. In 1993, the USA had 7600 people per million involved in R & D, Japan had 7300., no figures are available for Africa.It is important to increase the number of women in the Science related fields. The new catchphrase has been, ‘educate a woman and you edu-cate a generation’. This is because women have a very essential and great influence, they set the standards for the future generation and easily impart their wisdom to them. As we present our Women in Science issue we hope you will enjoy it and be inspired to take up STEM subjects so our country can have a stronger future. Always remember that women are the greatest resource any country and society can have. Encourage each other, take up STEM subjects, work hard and the rest will follow. Enjoy this edition of Science Stars Magazine. Impossible is nothing!
Women in control
Evans Nyasha Manyonga
Managing Editor • Evans [email protected]
Graphic Designer • Cinzia-Joey Swartz Project Manager • Renata Williams
Contributing writers • Oswald Kucherera • Derek Fish • Antoinette Oostuizen
Chairman • Madambi Rambuda
Public Relations • Sihle Qekeleshe • Bongeka Mnotoza
Ambassador • Prof. Azwindinni Muronga
Subscriptions • [email protected]
Copyright 2015 Roswika Media. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or any means, electronically or mechanically, without prior permission.
Science Stars is published by Roswika Media
10th Floor, The Pinnacle2 Burg StreetCape Town, 8000
021 839 [email protected]
LetteR FROMTHE EDITOR
teamScience Stars
Managing Editor
ED’S NOTE
6 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
From building schools to supporting black entrepreneurs, from making university study possible for disadvantaged students to providing work experience for young work seekers, Shanduka Foundation strives to develop South Africa’s human potential. Over the last decade, Shanduka Foundation has created opportunities for educational development, career growth and entrepreneurial advancement.
• Adopt-a-School Foundation mobilises companies and individuals to adopt disadvantaged schools with the aim of improving the academic, infrastructural, social and security environment in schools.
• Shanduka Black Umbrellas nurtures qualifying 100% black-owned businesses by providing meaningful access to markets, networks and finance through its small enterprise incubators and online enterprise and supplier development portal.
• The Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust provides bursaries to disadvantaged students and organises vacation work in companies in the Shanduka Group.
• The Shanduka internship programme provides experiential training for selected learners and job seekers within Shanduka Group and across its partner network.
Thanks to the ongoing support of many partners in business, government and civil society, Shanduka Foundation is making a significant impact in the lives of young South Africans.
To find out more about the work of the foundation and its programmes, visit
www.shanduka.co.za/shanduka-foundation
FROM CLASSROOM TO BOARDROOM
A DECADE OF EMPOWERMENT
How it all began
COVER STORY
HISTORY OF WOMEN IN SCIENCE
Women have made significant impact when it comes to science. Marie
Curie usually dominates when we look at women in science, well maybe it’s
because she discovered two elements. Marie Curie was not the first female
scientist; many other wonderful and dedicated women have pursued science
over the years. Below is their history in chronological order.
Hildegard of Bingen: the first woman scien-tist whose writings still exist
Hildegard grew up in a wealthy German family and
she received an education in a convent. These were
some of the only places women could receive formal
education during the Dark Ages. She studied Latin,
Religion, and Music. Hildegard also wrote natural
history books as well as medical books, and was the
first woman to write about the need to boil drinking
water to sanitis e it. She is the first woman whose
scientific writings still exist today.
1098-1179
370-415 1647-1717
1818-1889
Hypatia the Mathematician, AstronomerHypatia was a Roman woman who, unlike most women that
lived in her time, received a good education. Hypatia stud-
ied Mathematics, Astronomy and Natural Science. She was
appointed as the head of the University of Alexandria. She taught
Mathematics and philosophy. Hypatia wrote many books about
Mathematics, and even invented several scientific instruments.
Maria Sibylla Merian: an entomologist, scientific illustrator
Maria grew up in Germany with an interest in painting and
insects. She was taught by her stepfather how to paint. Maria
painted pictures of birds and insects, and later wrote books
about insects. Her illustrations were so realistic and accurate,
many scientists used her paintings. When she was 52 years old,
she came to South Africa with her daughter to study insects and
plants and drew them as they developed. Maria’s drawings were
then made into a popular book. Some of the plants and insects
she saw and painted in Africa have never been seen before in
Europe so they were named after her.
Maria Mitchell: Astronomer, discovered comet in 1847
Maria grew up in the United States. She lived in a time when
there were few universities that allowed women to pursue
their studies. Her family was too poor to take her to one of
these universities. Maria taught herself a lot because she
worked as a librarian and read a lot of books. She became so
talented in Mathematics that she helped her father, who was
an astronomer; measure the locations of stars. On 1 October,
1847, she noticed a strange white spot when looking through
a telescope and that is how she discovered a comet no one
else had seen before. She became famous, and travelled,
meeting other scientists. Maria was the first person who pho-
tographed the sun’s surface, and encouraged other women to
pursue higher education.
8 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
COVER STORY
1878-19681918-1999
20141902-1992
Lise Meitner: Research Scientist, Physics and Nuclear Science
Lise grew up in Austria, and always dreamed of being a sci-
entist. During her time, a few women were allowed to go to
university. Even though this was difficult; she became the first
woman to graduate with a doctoral degree in Physics from the
University of Vienna. She then relocated to Berlin, Germany so
that she could be near more scientists, and studied atoms with
Dr Otto Hahn. They studied together for 30 years, and they
discovered a new element; protactinium. Dr Lise Meitner told
other scientists about her discovery of “nuclear fusion”. This
discovery was used in weapons, but also for more useful pur-
poses, such as power and medicine.
Barbara McClintock: Research Scientist, GeneticsBarbara was devoted to Science her whole life. She went
to college and became a research scientist that studied
genetics. She researched on different forms and colours
of plants, and discovered that in different colours of corn,
genes “jumped” places. Barbara made an effort to explain
her findings to other scientists, but since her ideas were
so different, many people did not believe her. When better
microscopes were developed, thirty years later, other sci-
entists finally saw what she had been trying to explain. In
1983, when Dr McClintock was in her 80s, she was finally
recognised for her research and received the Nobel Prize.
Gertrude Belle Elion: Research Scientist in Chemistry
Gertrude was inspired to study Chemistry after her grandfa-
ther died of cancer. She wanted to help do research about
the disease. She loved research work and her job so much
that she did not want to give it up. She wrote more than
280 papers on her discoveries about drugs, and discov-
ered or developed drugs that help fight Leukemia, Herpes,
Malaria, AIDS, and aid organ transplants. There are more
than 45 patents for drugs that Gertrude developed.
Joanne Manaster: Science teacherAs a full-time educator, Joanne shares her passion for
Science through teaching, and encourages young men
and women to not be discouraged in pursuing science
because of stereotypes. Fun fact: Before her successful
career as a scientist, Joanne was an international model.
Science and Technology are often considered to be the
specialty for men. However, the contribution of women
to the progress of these areas should not be overlooked.
These women deserve all the recognition the world has
to give them.
9Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
DPE
On 29 June, the Minster of Public
Enterprises, Lynne Brown visited
Mbekweni, a township in Paarl. The
minister engaged with the youth and also
had an exhibition.
At the exhibition, the youth were exposed
to various ways they can use to shape their
careers. The Minister encouraged the unem-
ployed youth and students to keep working,
pursuing their careers and dreams, Minister
Brown also promised the youth that they
would get assistance from State-Owned
Enterprises as well as the Department of
Public Enterprises.
The event was a success and people were
happy that this kind of opportunity was
bought to them. There were career devel-
opment experts at the event who helped
the youth with choosing the right career
paths. There were also supplier forums
where Transnet and ESKOM’s supplier
development units also shared information
on how they intend on helping the youth
even further.
The career development experts shared a
lot of important information when it came
to career choices and made it clear that
choosing a career may not be easy, without
enough research, and if motivated by the
wrong reasons. They advised that students
should do something they love and are
passionate about and the money will be
a reward for their work. Students and the
general public were left feeling motivated
and well informed, they knew where to go
to get jobs and how to apply for them.
Minister Lynne Brown visits the youth
ENGAGING THE YOUTH
FOR A BETTER TOMORROW
Written by : Sihle Qekeleshe
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The Women in Science Awards (WISA)
was founded in 2003 as a way to
ensure women in science feel recog-
nised and are rewarded for their outstand-
ing work. In this field there is still an on-
going gender imbalance that needs to be
addressed. The Women in Science Awards is
a special event that celebrates the achieve-
ments of all women in science.
The event is a huge contributor in the
field, because it motivates young women
to pursue careers in Science. The awards
change between Life Sciences in one year
and Physical and Engineering Sciences in
the next year. This year’s awards were in
the Life Sciences. The Social Sciences and
Humanities awards are presented each year.
The event rewarded twenty four of South
Africa’s best women scientists with awards
and other prizes at a gala dinner hosted by
the Department of Science and Technology.
Professors Lindiwe Zungu and Maureen
Coetzee were awarded with the high-
est honour of the evening after receiv-
ing the Distinguished Women Scientists
– Humanities and Social Sciences and
Distinguished Women Scientists – Life
Sciences; awards in that order.
This year’s theme was “Science for a sus-
tainable future”. The theme touched base
at the contribution that has been made by
women researchers towards the achieve-
ment of some of the UN’s Millennium
Development Goals. The finalists ranged
from students up to established professors
Women reaping fruits of their labour
THE WOMEN IN SCIENCE AWARDS
DST
First lady Madam Bongi Ngema-Zuma, Prof Lindiwe Zungu (Department of Health Studies: College of Human Sciences, Unisa), and Naledi Pandor (Minister: Department of Science and Technology)
Minister Naledi Pandor and Dr. Roseanne Diab alongside award winners, Dr. Gina Ziervogel, Prof. Maureen Coetzee and Dr. NicDlene Barkhuizen
12 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
DST
who had been nominated in these four
categories: Distinguished Women Scientists,
Distinguished Young Women Scientists,
Fellowships; for doctoral and masters
students and the TATA Africa Scholarships
for Women in Science, Engineering and
Technology; Doctoral and Masters.
According to Minister Naledi Pandor the
award winners will be invited to participate
in science awareness campaigns that are
led by the department. Their participation
in these awareness campaigns will serve
as a way of being role models for other
women, in particular, young girls.
President Jacob Zuma congratulated the
winners and noted that the nation is very
excited that women in science are perform-
ing so well and are being recognised for
the work.
Amongst the twenty four women that were honoured at the event are:Professor Maureen Coetzee – She was
awarded the Distinguished Woman Scientist
(Life Sciences) award. Prof. Coetzee was
recognised for her outstanding work in the
field of medical entomology. Her research
includes insecticide resistance in the major
African malaria vector mosquitoes among
other things.
Professor Marla Trindade – Received the
Distinguished Woman Scientist (Life
Sciences) award. Prof. Trindade is currently
the Director of the Institute for Microbial
Biotechnology and Metagenomics she is
also an internationally recognised research-
er in the Department of Biotechnology at
the University of Western Cape (UWC). She
is in a research department that is leading
the country in the area of mining microbial
genomes for novel biotechnologically rel-
evant enzymes and products.
Professor Lindiwe Zungu – Received
the Distinguished Woman Researcher
(Humanities and Sciences) award Prof.
Zungu is a full Professor of Health Studies
at the University of South Africa (UNISA).
Prof. Zungu’s research has contributed to
workers’ health and safety for the redesign
of safety clothing for women in mining.
The national standard for the mining sector
accepted her guidelines and uses them.
Dr Gina Ziervogel - Received the
Distinguished Woman Researcher
(Humanities and Sciences award) Dr
Ziervogel’s work has contributed to
Millennium Development Goals. She has
found environmental concerns within the
broader development pattern. Her research
work has focused on adaptation to the
impacts of climate change. Dr Ziervogel
is a senior lecturer in the Department of
Environmental and Geographical Science
and a research fellow in the African
Climate and Development Initiative at the
University of Cape Town (UCT).
The women that received the awards
on that prestigious night received those
awards because of their remarkable contri-
bution towards the science and technology
field.
Prof. Maria Trindade and Minister Naledi Pandor
13Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
Empowering women for roads.
SANRAL is committed to creating a path of growth and development for women in engineering and in business to ensure long-term sustainability of critical skills in our economy and our country. We salute all those female trailblazers and achievers who dared to join us on the road less travelled.
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CSIR
The best career moves often require a
brave jump into the unknown, tack-
ling completely new subject matter
despite your fears and the scepticism of
those around you.
Young CSIR molecular biologist Thuli
Khanyile thrives on exactly this. Thuli, who
joined the CSIR in 2011 as an in-service
trainee in a Bio-science laboratory admits
that she knew little of advanced laser tech-
nology when she decided to move to the
CSIR’s laser laboratories a year-and-a-half
later in an effort to further her skills in
HIV research. Her long hours of hard work
and perseverance paid off when she gradu-
ated with an MSc in medicine from the
University of the Witwatersrand in June this
year, focusing on new research using laser
technology for the targeted delivery of anti-
retroviral drugs.
“I always wanted to become a medical
doctor and felt devastated when I was not
admitted to a medical school. Later, when
shadowing our local general practitioner
in Durban, I learned that there is a host of
people behind the scenes that determine
how medicine is practiced. The doctor told
me that medical practitioners rely heavily
on researchers that study the behaviour of
disease-causing organisms, what causes
symptoms and what may stop them. I found
this a lot more interesting and specifically
wanted to work in a research environment
one day.”
Thuli completed a National Diploma in
Biotechnology at the Tshwane University
of Technology and started an in-service
training job at the CSIR’s Aptamer labora-
tory in 2011. Aptamers are artificial nucleic
acid molecules that have antibody-like
properties and CSIR scientists use them to
test ways to block HIV infection, to diag-
nose tuberculosis and to research targeted
delivery of drugs to specific cells. Thuli was
given an internship seven months later
and she then completed her Bachelor of
Technology degree in biotechnology, based
on her CSIR research project, with distinc-
tion.
“After the internship year I wanted to do
something different and switched to the
field of biophotonics, an emerging area of
scientific research that uses light and other
A young HIV researcher
BRAVE VENTURE INTO NEW SCIENTIFIC FIELD
15Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
forms of radiant energy to understand the
inner workings of cells and tissues in living
organisms. Because of the CSIR’s multidis-
ciplinarity, I was able to do that within the
same organisation,” she says.
“The move was daunting as I had no phys-
ics background, but the fact that I had so
much to learn – and even the fact that that
there were those who doubted whether I’d
cope in that environment – actually moti-
vated me.”
Thuli enrolled for her MSc, specialising in molecular medicine and haematology.
“When one takes antiretroviral drugs, your
viral load may drop to undetectable levels,
but the HIV still hides in the body’s reser-
voir sites where the drugs can’t reach, such
as the macrophages, central nervous sys-
tem, the lymph nodes and the lungs. When
you stop treatment, the viral load normally
spikes again,” she explains.
“We are trying to develop ways to target
reservoir sites where the virus hides in its
latent state using laser technology as a
drug delivery tool. The idea is to deliver the
drug in therapeutic doses to the reservoir
sites without exposing cells that don’t need
treatment to the drugs.”
“At this stage the tests are done in vitro and
the work entails making a hole in the outer
membrane of a cell which is immersed in
media that contains the drugs. The drugs
can enter the cell through diffusion and
the pore then closes through a self-healing
process. This work could pave the way for
future endoscopic procedures to target HIV
reservoir sites,” she argues.
Thuli has now enrolled for a PhD in HIV vaccine development.
“I think my upbringing played a major role
in my decision to push forward in my career.
I come from a household where academic
pursuits are supported and we were taught
to overcome our fears. My mother, a teacher,
has a Master’s degree in social justice in
education, which she worked on when I was
in high school and she has also decided
to enrol for a PhD in the coming year, so I
am facing some healthy competition,” Thuli
laughs.
“My father is a pillar in the community
where he serves as a police officer. He
always says: ‘Go get it. If you fail, try some-
thing else and if it still does not work out,
you know you tried your best, but don’t
rob yourself of an experience due to fear.’
Having a role-model who is so supportive
of the women in his life meant that I had
no reason to hesitate venturing into a still
rather male-dominated field of laser tech-
nology,” she explains.
“Apart from supporting my academic
career, my parents also taught me about
the importance of Ubuntu. I am passionate
about the concept and the role it plays in
our everyday lives. For this reason I give
public lectures about Ubuntu in my free
time as an ambassador for the iARi non-
profit organisation. It is a very philosophi-
cal topic as opposed to the science I work
with. I mean, you can’t do an experiment
and determine the percentage of Ubuntu a
person displays. It is about how you interact
with other people and understanding how
it impacts on others.”
By Antoinette Oosthuizen
CSIR
16 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
NSW
National Science Week is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). This event is a nationwide celebration of Science connecting various stakehold-ers and role players who conduct science-based activities during the week. National Science Week runs in all nine provinces of South Africa. Every year a different theme is adopted and utilised. There are also different activities offered in line with the theme to the target audiences. The theme of this year’s National Science Week was “The inter-national year of light and light based technologies”.
National Science week
A WORLD OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
17Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
NSW
University of Fort Hare (FOSST – DC Institutes, Departments and, Centre’s of excellence) – Eastern CapeThe university had a site visitation: These visitations were meant to
enhance learners’ and teachers’ understanding for concepts such as
optics, light, energy and photosynthesis.
The National Science week took place in a number of places around South Africa. Here are some of the places that hosted the event.
Hermanus Astronomy Centre – Western CapeOn 4 August, 2015 the centre had two activities namely, educating
learners on how solar panels work and their vital role in keeping the
International Space Station functioning well. There was also a spellbind-
ing DVD by astronaut Sunita Williams, showing the interesting and chal-
lenging life on the ISS.
National Museum, Bloemfontein – Free StateAugust 5, 2015 had these exciting activities amongst other activi-
ties: Mobile Museum – where a customised vehicle loaded with
materials that represent various research departments in the
Museum, presentations and exhibitions focus on various careers
that are available at the National Museum.
Maths Science and Leadership Academy (Kimberly) – Northern Cape
On 3 August, 2015 MSLA had a workshop with Grade 6 learners and
teachers.
18 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
NSW
Worldwise Media – North WestThe centre had a Sink, splash and swim quiz on Maths and
Science for the public at the Mooirivier Mall (Potchefstroom) on
August 3-7, 2015.
Giyani Science Centre – Limpopo On 6 August, 2015 there was an activity on Role Modelling using profes-
sionals from SETI fields and Science experiments to excite and encourage
learners about science.
Ditsong National Museum – Gauteng:On 6 August, 2015 the Ditsong National Museum of History had
a ‘Make your own fossil’ activity where learners learned how to
make museum quality fossil casts which can be used for educa-
tion and for research.
University of Kwa Zulu-Natal, Westville – Kwa Zulu-Natal
August 3, 2015 the University had planned a
Learner programme with two scientific talks
and either a visit to the lab or hands on activity,
career talk and a Science Quiz.
Kwandebele Science Combined School, Siyabuswa – Mpumalanga
Had experiments, demonstrations, quiz competitions and prize
giving on 5 August, 2015.
19Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
Beyond Mount Kenya
THE GREEN BELT MOVEMENT
St Scholastica College in Atchison, Kansas
and graduated with a Bachelor of Science
degree in 1964. She continued with her
Masters degree majoring in biology at the
University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania.
While at Pittsburgh she did a six months
course in leadership, focusing on helping
women in rural areas facing the problems
of poverty and unemployment. This was
to become her brainchild, The Green Belt
Movement, a decade later.
When Wangari returned to the newly
independent Kenya, she struggled to find
herself a job. Those sitting in positions of
power played the ethnicity card, and this,
together with her gender, was a barrier
that had to be overcome. Many jobs were
unavailable because she was a woman.
Written by Oswald Kucherera
Can our destiny be determined by
the unfortunate circumstances
of our beginnings? Definitely the
answer to this question is a resounding NO.
This has been proven in many instances
and the story of Wangari Maathai is just
but one of such stories. It is the story
of the first African woman and the first
Environmentalist to win the Nobel Peace
Prize in 2004.
Maathai planted more than forty million
trees with the Green Belt Movement, the
organisation she founded. She served in
government as an assistant minister for the
environment. In 1971 she completed her
PhD on the development and understand-
ing of female and male sexual organs at
the University College of Nairobi (University
of Nairobi), becoming the first woman in
East and Central Africa to receive the doc-
toral degree. She authored four books, The
Green Belt Movement, Unbowed; a memoir,
The Challenge for Africa and Replenishing
the Earth.
Wangari Maathai was born in 1940 in Nyeri
village, nestled in the central highlands of
Kenya. She was the first daughter but the
third in a family of six children. Both her
parents were subsistence farmers, growing
crops to feed their family. But this was the
epoch of the arrival of the white settlers
and their father was forced to join many
a man who moved to work on the newly
established white commercial farms.
During this time, boys were being given
the priority to receive an education and
Wangari was not to escape this. She
attended the school only later when her
concerned brother, Nderitu intervened and
questioned why Wangari was not receiving
an education like the other children. Her
mother consulted their uncle who respond-
ed positively by giving the green light for
Wangari to join her peers to receive an edu-
cation, the key for the door to success.
Wangari started her schooling at Ihithe
Primary School and moved to St. Cecilia’s
Intermediate Primary School when she
was in standard four. She had only a few
belongings with her, which included only
two dresses, of which one was made from
the material left over from the trousers
made for her elder brother, Nderitu. She
was without shoes and only got to taste the
comfort of shoes four years later when the
local shoemaker was assigned by her par-
ents to make a pair for her.
An industrious Wangari passed her final
examinations with excellent marks, com-
ing first in her class. She joined the Loreto
Girls’ High School, the only Catholic High
School for African girls at that time. It was
while she was here when she was men-
tored by one of her nuns’ teacher, Mother
Teresia who cultivated in her an interest in
Sciences, always inviting her during break
times to clean petri dishes and test tubes.
At Loreto she worked very hard and won
herself the African Scholarship to study in
the United States. She got a spot at Mount
The Green Belt Movement trained rural women to plant trees and educated them about the impor-tance of conserving forests
WANGARI MATHAAI
22 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
She only succeeded in landing herself a
job at the University of Nairobi through the
assistance of Professor Reinhold Hofmann.
She became his assistant to help in micro-
anatomy or histology in the Department of
Veterinary Anatomy. She suffered gender
discrimination at the University of Nairobi
receiving less salary and denied benefits
male colleagues of equal standing were
reaping. Together with her friend and only
female colleague, Vertistine Mbaya, she
launched the campaign to fight for their
rights in which they came up victorious.
While serving on the board of the National
Council of Women of Kenya (NCWK) she
came face to face with the challenges faced
by the rural women in Kenya, the environ-
mental degradation of Kenya, East Africa
and Africa at large. The challenges women
faced consisted of shortage of enough
nutritious food, firewood and clean water
to cook or drink. The shortage of clean
water was caused by rampant soil erosion
and siltation of rivers. And the shift from
growing food crops to cash crops nega-
tively influenced a balanced diet and in this
case the most affected were women and
children. The only sound solution Wangari
Maathai thought of to solve all these prob-
lems was to grow trees. Trees protect the
soil from the rain and wind, the causes of
soil erosion and decomposing tree leaves
and branches help to improve the fertility
of the soil. Trees also help with the rehabil-
itation and restoration of catchment areas.
The Green Belt Movement trained rural
women to plant trees and educated them
about the importance of conserving forests.
It encouraged women to grow indigenous
tree seedlings and offered them incentives
to ensure that they nurtured the trees they
planted. A slogan ‘One person, one tree’
was coined to encourage tree planting. The
Green Belt Movement protected the parks
and forests such as the cases of the Karura
Forest and Uhuru Park, when the govern-
ment tried to build multi-storey buildings
on these public spaces. Wangari Maathai
mobilised the masses to march against the
construction of these buildings and put the
construction to a halt in both cases.
With the financial support from various
funders, the Green Belt Movement was able
to start many nurseries across the country
employing a lot of women and men who
worked as nursery attendants. It spread to
other countries such as Ethiopia, Tanzania,
Uganda, Rwanda and Mozambique. This led
to the formation of the Pan-African Green
Belt Network.
Environment being one of the Sustainable
Development Goals, as identified by the
youth on the list of the global goals
adopted at the event staged this September
in New York, global leaders across the
world coming together to address these
critical issues including climate change,
today’s youth need to step up, embark on
an aggressive project of planting trees
and save the environment. This will help
other countries to avoid the cases such as
that of the Lake Chad, Aral Sea and Iran’s
Great Salt Lake, Lake Urmia that is drying
up as reported in the story covered by the
journalist, Richard Stone. Wangari Maathai
challenged us, the youth of today, when she
said anybody can dig a hole, put a tree in
it, water it and nurture it. There you have
it, go out there and plant a tree or trees,
inspire your peers and contribute to this
great cause Wangari Maathai and the Green
Belt Movement paved way for us all to fol-
low.
At Loreto she worked very hard and won the African Scholarship to study in the United States
WANGARI MATHAAI
23Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
SCIENCE IN ACTION
Be stress-free
BEAT STRESS WITH SCIENCE
Do you ever feel like you could just unwind after a demand-
ing week but find it difficult to do so? Well it is all because
stress triggers your body’s fight or flight mode, your adrena-
line starts pumping, your heart beats faster, and your blood pres-
sure rises. Check out these different ways to de-stress.
Yoga and tai chi Yoga and tai chi focuses on posture, posi-
tive thoughts and breathing. It leads to
reduction in everyday stress levels, anxiety
and muscle tension as well as an improve-
ment in mood and energy.
Magnetic therapyIdeally magnectic therapy is suited for the
treatment of many physical conditions and
health maintenance. This modality is of
great value because the person may con-
tinue treatment on her/his own over a long
period of time if necessary.
Listen to musicMusic is soul for heart as it can calm you
down and put you in a better frame of
mind. When feeling stressed, play calming
music while you work, it will help reduce
your stress.
Meditate 10 min/ 15 min breathing meditation can
help you overcome stress and help find
inner peace and balance. Meditation helps
us understand our minds as we learn to
transform our minds from negative to posi-
tive, from unhappy to happy.
Sleep well Getting a good night’s sleep can
help you fight stress the next day.
Sleep for at least 7 hours.
Deep Breaths Deep breathing counters the effects of
stress by slowing the heart rate and lower-
ing blood pressure. Take a 5-minute break
and focus on your breathing.
Be GratefulKeep a gratitude journal or several (one
by your bed, one in your purse, and one at
work) to help you remember all the things
that are good in your life; ‘being grateful
for your blessings cancels out negative
thoughts and worries’.
These will help keep everything balanced
and keep you stress free.
DecompressPlace a warm heat wrap around your neck
and shoulders for 10 minutes. Close your
eyes and relax your face, neck, upper chest,
and back muscles. Remove the wrap, and
use a tennis ball or foam roller to massage
away tension.
Chew gumStudies suggest the act of chewing gum
can reduce cortisol levels, helping to alle-
viate stress, chewing gum also increases
bllod flow and alertness.
24 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
We all dream of a better future. For ourselves, our families and our country. SANRAL, as part of the National Development Plan, is improving and expanding vital road infrastructure. In the process we are creating jobs, transferring skills and developing opportunities for all South Africans. We are proud to be a part of the National Development Plan, because we know that roads are more than just roads, they pave the way to a better future.
It’s what we build
More than just roads
3112
Future Concept Ad 275X210.indd 1 2014/02/05 9:49 AM
DST
Three-day conference
FULL INCLUSION OF BLACK WOMEN IN STEM
Dr Beverley Damonse acting CEO of
the National Research Foundation
(NRF), attended a conference aimed
at full inclusion of black women in science
and technology. The three-day conference
was held in Johannesburg on 27 October,
2015.
According to Dr Beverley Damonse there
are a lot of black women that are being
excluded in the STEM fields in South
Africa and the United States of America.
This exclusion impedes development and
innovation in the field. STEM is providing
solutions and ways to improve efficien-
cies to avoid exclusion of black women;
the solutions are provided in emerging
and developing economies and in this plan,
women play a significant role towards this
initiative.
Half of South Africa’s population consists
of women, and these women are talented;
using them in the STEM field would be of
great advantage. Dr Damonse also found
that less women are involved in leader-
ship roles in STEM, which means gender
inequality is a daunting issue that the NRF
is working on.
Dr Phethiwe Matutu, Chief Director of
Human Development at the Department of
Science and Technology (DST) said that the
conference would aid people with under-
standing of the challenges that are faced
by black women in STEM fields. The need
to increase the participation of women
in Africa and America was reiterated by
Dr Sonya Smith, principal investigator for
Howard University ADVANCE-IT transforma-
tion project and a Professor of Mechanical
Engineering at the university. Dr Smith also
spoke about systemic issue that needed
to be undertaken in order to increase the
employment, retention and promotion of
women academics in STEM.
The conference was a partnership between
the DST in South Africa and Howard
University in the United States of America,
issues of diversity and gender equity in
STEM were discussed. Dr Beverley Damonse
26 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
BEAUTY IN SCIENCE
Red lipstick includes insects and most long-lasting types of red lipstick have a chemical compound called eosin,
the compound slightly changes colour when it is applied to the lips
65% Castor Oil – Waxes and oils give the lipstick structure
15% Beeswax, 10% Other waxes
5% Dyes, pigments and perfumes – Pigments and dyes provide colour
5% Lanolin, 10% Other waxes
R20 340is average amount
woman that spends on lipstick in her life-
time, in South Africa
Lipstick is allegedly the most shoplifted item
$
The world’s most expensive lip-
stick is Guerlain’s KissKiss Gold and Diamonds Lipstick
LIP STICK with a twist
Lipstick sales usually increase during recessions, because women use lip-stick to boost their self-
esteem by buying makeup products
28 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
FEATURECAREERS
A lifetime journey
FASCINATING CAREERS IN STEM
job security and money, as well as having a
wide variety of options in the field.
How do I get there you may ask, we have that covered. To pave your way into the
career path you have always wanted you need to do the following things;
• Do some research on institutions and
internship programmes
• Job shadowing
• Find a passion for engineering using
other resources besides your textbook
• You need to have chosen the Mathematics
and Physical Science stream in high school
• Also visit science centres around your
area.
Look at our institutions page to get infor-
mation on which universities one can con-
tact to get career counselling and informa-
tion about courses you may want to study.
You have reached a point in your life
where you have to choose a career
for yourself, one that may stick with
you for the rest of your life, provided you
do not confuse a career with a job.
A career is a lifetime journey of build-
ing and using your skills and knowledge,
explore new experiences and integrating
other aspects of your life into your work.
Here are the most commonly chosen STEM
careers.
1Chemical Engineering; Chemical engineering is applied
Chemistry. It is the branch of Engineering
concerned with the design, construction,
and operation of machines and plants that
perform chemical reactions to solve practi-
cal problems or make useful products. The
fun part about being a Chemical Engineer
is that they create, explore, innovate and
create products that we use in our daily
lives. A Chemical Engineer’s get paid an
average of R272, 704 per year.
2Environmental Science;Is a branch of biology that examines
the effect of human beings on the environ-
ment, as well as the relationships between
the environment and the organisms living
within it. As an Environmental Scientist one
can work for huge companies like ESKOM.
Environmental Scientists get paid an aver-
age of R212, 008 per year.
3Pharmaceutical Scientist;Develop new drugs, they spend most of
their time doing research in a laboratory.
Pharmaceutical Scientists discover, develop,
test, and manufacture new medication.
They investigate how these compounds
interact with the human body to ultimately
determine if they can become new drugs.
Pharmaceutical Scientists get paid an aver-
age of R353, 970 per year.
Working with science and technology will
open a lot of doors for you; you will have
the power to make a difference in the
world, working with talented people, have
Written by : Sihle Qekeleshe
29Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
INSTITUTIONS
Making the right choices
EXPLORE WITH THE BEST INSTITUTIONS
cation on Science, Technology and Maths,
introduces the career choices in this area,
parties, workshops, teambuilding events and
much more.
Contact: 041 585 8884 or
email: [email protected]
Sci-Bono The Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, is one of
Southern Africa’s largest science centre, it
is affiliated to the Gauteng Department of
Education to support Maths, Science and
Technology education and to help build
South Africa’s STEM capacity.
Contact: 011 639 8400 or
email [email protected]
Find these places interesting? Contact them here:
University of Cape Town Career counselling:
Tel: 021 650 6646 email: lisa.little@uct.
ac.za
University of Witwatersrand Career counsel-
ling:
Tel: 011 717 9140/ 32
Email: [email protected]
Stellenbosch University:
Tel: 021 808 4704/ 4709
Email: [email protected]
Choosing a career can be very hard
and confusing, especially when you
do not have the right resources to
help with deciding on one career that you
will love forever. We have three of the best
universities and centres that one can con-
tact or visit to get the necessary informa-
tion.
University of Cape Town UCT has an exciting and diverse community.
It has a culture where each person is able
to contribute their unique blend of knowl-
edge and way of thinking. UCT staff and
students come from different parts of the
world. The university has also built rela-
tionships with leading African and interna-
tional institutions that further develop the
academic, social and cultural diversity of
their campus.
University of Witwatersrand The University of the Witwatersrand,
Johannesburg South Africa, often dubbed as
Wits University. Wits is also known for its
work in deep level mining, science, health
sciences, accountancy, law, governance,
and the humanities, amongst others. It has
five faculties and about half of all enrol-
ments are in the Science, Engineering and
Technology fields.
StellenboschStellenbosch University is the third uni-
versity; it is one of 23 tertiary institu-
tions in South Africa and is located in the
heart of the Cape Winelands. The town of
Stellenbosch is 50 km from Cape Town.
Stellenbosch University is a multi-disciplin-
ary institution with a wine land backdrop
specialises in the study of AgriScience.
There are also centres one can visit to
broaden their knowledge on the career they
may want to choose;
The Cape Town Science CentreThe Cape Town Science Centre has approxi-
mately 250 interactive exhibits and mind-
boggling puzzles, the Centre is a world of
discovery under one roof. The CTSC offers
science shows, curriculum-based workshops,
holiday programmes, science camps and
experiential driven programmes.
Contact: 021 300 3200 or
email: [email protected]
The Nelson Mandela Bay Science and Technology CentreThe Nelson Mandela Bay Science &
Technology Centre gives students an oppor-
tunity to experience the art of science and
technology. The Centre offers informal edu-
30 Science Stars Magazine Nanotechnology Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
NSFAS is a registered credit provider in terms ofthe National Credit Act 34 of 2005 (NCRCP 2655)
visit the financial aid office on campus,contact NSFAS on 021 763 3232
Standard SMS rates apply.Email [email protected] or visitwww.nsfas.org.za
FOR MORE INFORMATION
TO STUDYMONEY
SCHOOL?
DO YOU NEED
AFTER
Let us help you make your career dreams a reality...
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides loans and bursaries to eligible students for studies at public universities and Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges in South Africa.
NSFAS OFFERS BURSARIES:
Bursaries are offered to eligible students in need who are studying in various scarce skills areas such as teaching and social work. Eligible students are those whose academic results enable them to enter university. As of 2011, the South African government has also increased bursary funds to help students enrolled in certain NATED programmes (N1-N6 in engineering and N4-N6 in all other fields) as well as the National Certificate (Vocational) at public FET Colleges. If you qualify for funding according to a financial means test, this bursary could cover the costs of your tuition, food and accommodation.
STUDENT LOANS GIVE HOPE:
NSFAS loans are also available for qualifying university students for their first undergraduate degree or diploma. If you do well academically,a portion of the loan may also be converted intoa bursary. Funding is limited and not all students who apply will receive an award.
or SMS your question to 32261
The brains behind it all
INVENTIONS BY FEMALES
Here are the top inventions by female
scientists, get to know the women who
invented them.
Circular Saw by Tabitha Babbitt in 1810Tabitha Babbitt lived in a Shaker community in
Massachusetts and worked as a weaver, but in 1810, she
then came up with a way to lighten the load of her col-
leagues. She observed men while cutting wood with a pit
saw, which is a two-handled saw that required two men to
pull it back and forth. To her, that was a waste of energy,
she attached a circular blade to her spinning wheel so
that every movement of the saw produced results.
Chocolate Chip cookies by Ruth Wakefield in 1930Ruth Wakefield bought an old toll house outside of Boston
with her husband and converted the toll house into an inn
with a restaurant. One day in 1930, Ruth was baking a batch
of Butter Drop Do cookies for her guests. The recipe required
melted chocolate, but she had run out of baker’s chocolate.
She took a Nestle chocolate bar, crumbled it into pieces and
threw it into her batter, the chocolate pieces didn’t melt during
baking and that is how the chocolate chip cookie was born.Liquid paper by Bette Nesmith Graham in the 1950s
Bette Nesmith Graham was not a very good typist. Secretaries
often found themselves retyping entire pages because of one
tiny mistake they had made. She watched workers painting a
holiday display on a bank window. She noticed how the paint-
ers simply added another layer of paint to cover the mistakes
and she thought she could apply that idea to her owner typing
errors. Using her blender, she mixed up water-based tempera
paint with dye that matched her company’s stationary.
Coloured Flare System by Martha Coston in 1857Martha Coston found her late husband’s plans for a flare
system that ships could use as way to communicate at night.
She tested it, but it failed. She spent the next 10 years trying
to perfect the design. She took her children to see a fireworks
display and that is when she got the idea of applying some
pyrotechnic technology to her flare system. The flare system
finally worked, and the U.S. Navy bought the rights.
Dishwasher by Josephine Cochrane in 1886Josephine Cochrane was frustrated over her servants
breaking her heirloom china after fancy dinners. She
focused and built a machine that would wash it properly.
The machine relied on using strong water pressure, which
was aimed at a wire rack of dishes, and she received a
patent for the device in 1886.
Windshield wiper by Mary Anderson in the 20th century Mary Anderson visited New York City for the first time and during her
trip, she took a tram through the city. She saw that after a few minutes
the driver had to stop the tram to wipe the snow off the front win-
dow. She developed a squeegee on a spindle that was attached to a
handle on the inside of the vehicle. When the driver needed to clean
the front glass, they would simply pull the handle and the squeegee
wiped the rain from the windshield.
INVENTIONS
TOP
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3
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32 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
QUIZ
1
7
89
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QUIZWhat is the big craze about Women In science? Take our quiz and find out.
Which year was the Women in Science Awards founded?
A. 2010
B. 2000
C. 2003
D. 2005
What was the theme for the 2015 Women in Science
Awards?
A. Women in Excellence
B. Science for a sustainable future
C. Women for change
D. None of the above
In which of the following categories were the awards held?
A. Physical Science, Social Science, Life Science
B. Bio-Science, Social Science, Humanities
C. Medical Science, Physical Science, Life Science
D. Life Science, Humanities and Social Science
What does the acronym MDG stand for?
A. Medical Development Goals
B. Mission Driven Goals
C. Millennium Development Goals
D. Medium Development Goals
The objectives for the Women in Science Awards is to…
A. Celebrate Women’s Day
B. Network with prominent female scientist
C. Award international scientist for outstanding work
D. Recognise and award excellence by women scientists and
researchers
2
How many female scientist were nominated for the 2015
Women in Science Awards?
A. 10
B. 15
C. 24
D. 30
The Women in Science Awards were presented on which day?
A. 13 August 2015
B. 01 August 2015
C. 25 August 2015
D. 15 August 2015
You need to be a South African Citizen to enter the Women in
Science Awards? True/False
She is a full Professor of Health Studies at the University
of South Africa and earned the accolade of this year’s most
distinguished female researcher in the humanities and social
sciences…
A. Professor Maureen Coetzee
B. Professor Lebo Tshagela
C. Professor Lindiwe Zungu
D. None of the above
33Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
DOWNCROSSWORD PUZZLE
SUDOKU
1. What is the name for the biochemical process
that converts grape juice into wine or soy beans
into soy sauce?
2. What organelle functions to isolate a human
cells chromosomes from the cytoplams?
3. What terrestrial planet rotates in an opposite
direction to the planet earth?
4. What is the mathematical term for coplannar
lines that never intersect?
5. What is the primary oxygen carrying protein
found in red blood cells?
6. What is the general name for the rising and
falling of the sea levels in response to the force
exerted by the sun and mooon?
ACROSS
PUZZLE
1. In what organelle of a plant cell does photosynthesic occur?
2. From what biological polymer is paper primarily composed?
3. _________ is the SI base unit that uses the intensity of a light source?
4. What is the name of the rock that makes up most of the ocean floor and
volcanic islands?
5. How many canine teeth does a typical human adult have?
6. What is the environmental factor most directly involved in phototropism?
Sudoku Puzzle
Women in Science Issue
3 1 4 6 6 8 9 2 4 2 8 6 1 3 4 7 6 7 5 7 1
1
2
1
3
6
6
4
4
2
5
5
3
34 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
1
6
6
4
1 2
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32 5
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WORD SEARCH
ANSWERS
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
ANSWERSNanotechnology Issue
Issue 10 | August/September 2015
THE EVOLUTION OFNANOTECHNOLOGY
SCIENCESTARS
1. SAASTA
2. 1985
3. All of the above
4. Use light to manipulate par-
ticles as small as a single atom
5. Mayonnaise
6. Do not exist
7. Jacket
8. All of the above
QUIZ
S L A I R E T A M Y A S
S L E U F O I B Z O C E
M B L Y C T A A S I A L
O O A A K O E Z T E F C
L L C S C M N O C N N I
E T S R A S B P U E A T
C S O Y E O L O D R N R
U M N L R T S A O E O A
L O A O P C M N R I T P
A T N Z Y E B M P I U A
R A L L A B Y K C U B M
N A N O M E T R E F E T
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A
A
NA
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C H IR
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R
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B V
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N O N
N
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35Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
SCIENCE NEWS
SCIENCE NEWS
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Nkosazana Dlamani- Zuma empowered women in the World Forestry Congress (WFC), which took place in Durban‘s Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre. Nkosazana Zuma said women should be repre-sented in leading positions in the industry.
The National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa and the Department of Science and Technology (DST), in partnership with the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) are jointly persuading the goal of advancement of Science in developing countries through the establishment of the NRF-TWAS Postdoctoral Fellowship fund-ing instrument.
The Early and Mid-Career Researcher EMCR Forum is the national voice of Australia’s emerging scientists, these are representing researchers who are up to 15 years post-PhD, whom are irrespective of their profes-sional appointment. They are looking to recruit new members who can bring enthusiasm and new ideas to the executive.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, announced that government is investing in the modernisation of research and development infrastructure in the quest to develop new knowledge.
Students have reportedly developed a nail polish, “Undercover Colour,” that can detect the presence of drugs linked to date rape. This nail polish formula works to detect the presence of drugs commonly used to facilitate date rape.
Scientists have found that current school and university start times are damaging the learning and health of students. The latest sleep research conclude that students’ start times should be 8:30 or later at age 10; 10:00 or later at 16; and 11:00 or later at 18. Implementing these start times should improve their health and learning.
The Giyani career science centre
TAKING SCIENCE TO THE RURAL AREAS
On 26 September, 2015 the Minister
of Science and Technology, Naledi
Pandor, was speaking at a handover
of a career science centre in Giyani. The
handover was part of an imbizo organ-
ised by the Department of Science and
Technology, it was an initiative to raise
awareness of the role of science in our
daily lives.
The Minister said that young people in
rural areas need to be made aware of the
excitement, importance and the poten-
tial careers in science and also to urge
young people to pursue careers in Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
She proceeded to say that the young
people in rural areas need to be nurtured
in order to feed the next generation of sci-
entists, researcher and engineers.
The Centre will be used as a source of
knowledge for young people who want to
study further. The Minister highlighted the
importance pf encouraging young people
being exposed to a wide variety of options
to choose from and that they are helped
to choose wisely so that they can choose a
career they can stay in.
Limpopo MEC for Education, Ishmael
Kgetjepe, said that South Africa is working
on becoming “one of the strongest science
research communities in the world, pioneer-
ing the latest technologies”.
While Minister Pandor was in Giyani, she
visited the Hi Hanyile Essential Oils project;
the project is a bioscience initiative that is
funded by the Department of Science and
Technology. In this project Scientists and
traditional healers have come together to
study the indigenous plants, leading to the
development of mosquito repellent candles
and more effective commercially similar
products.
The project is said to have shown how sci-
ence, technology and innovation can come
together and be used for economic growth
and development.
DST
37Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
MARIE CURIE
Marie Curie stands out as by far
the greatest woman scientist
of all time – and some may say
greater than all the men too – after all she
won TWO Nobel prizes – one for Physics
and one for Chemistry! Little Manya
Sklodowska was born in Poland in 1867:
she was always top of her class and won
the Science prize at school. Her father had
kept all his science equipment (after he
was fired as a teacher), and this fascinated
her and she played with it endlessly at
home.
Manya made an agreement with her sister
Bronisława, to assist each other with pay-
ing for their studies. So Bronya went to
Paris (as women could not study in Russian
controlled Poland) and Manya continued to
tutor to assist her. In October 1891, she set
off on a grueling three day train trip (it now
takes 16 hours to drive!), having to take her
own folding chair and food and water! In
Paris she enrolled at the Sorbonne – the
University of Paris.
In the same year Pierre Curie entered her
life. He was an instructor in Physics, and
they were soon married. Commenting on a
friend’s offer to give her a wedding dress,
Manya (now Marie Curie) famously said:
“I have no dress except the one I wear every
day. If you are going to be kind enough to
give me one, please let it be practical and
dark so that I can put it on afterwards to go
to the laboratory.”
In 1903, the Royal Swedish Academy of
Sciences awarded Pierre and Marie Curie,
and Henri Becquerel, the Nobel Prize in
Physics, for the discovery of radiation. On
receiving the Nobel Prize, Marie and Pierre
Curie suddenly became very famous. The
Sorbonne gave Pierre a professorship and
permitted him to establish his own labora-
tory, in which Marie became director of
research.
Tragically, on April 19, 1906, Pierre was
killed in a street accident:- struck by a
horse-drawn vehicle he fell under its
wheels, fracturing his skull. Marie’s famous
reply was: “Life is not easy for any of us. But
what of that? We must have perseverance and
above all confidence in ourselves. We must
believe that we are gifted for something and
that this thing must be attained.”
Marie refused to accept the pension offered
to her, and she became the first female
professor at the Sorbonne (and indeed
in the world!) Recognition for her work
grew to new heights, and in 1911 she was
awarded a second Nobel Prize:- this time
for Chemistry. No man has ever won two
Nobel prizes in the sciences! During World
War I, Marie pushed for the use of mobile
X-ray units, for the treatment of wounded
soldiers. These units were powered using
tubes of radium which she purified. Marie
drove and operated these mobile units her-
self, saving many soldier’s lives.
Marie visited Poland a last time in the
spring of 1934, famously saying: “One never
notices what has been done; one can only see
what remains to be done. “
Only a couple of months later, Marie died,
just a few months before her daughter,
Irene, also won the Nobel prize. The damag-
ing effects of ionizing radiation were then
not yet known, and much of her work had
been carried out in a shed without any
safety measures. Even her workbooks and
cookbooks are still inaccessible – kept in
lead-lined safes as they are still too radio-
active to touch.
On the periodic table of the elements, there are three elements named by or for her:• Polonium, her first discovery, named after
her native country Poland (not polony)
• Radium, which she separated from pitch-
blende
• Curium – named in 1944 in her honour
Marie Curie was recently voted the great-
est woman scientist of all time, winning
just over a quarter of the poll and almost
twice as much as her nearest rival Rosalind
Franklin (14.2 per cent), the English bio-
physicist who helped discover the structure
of DNA. Albert Einstein met with Marie
Curie on a few occasions, and had this to
say of her: “Marie Curie is, of all celebrated
beings, the only one whom fame has not cor-
rupted.”
It is easy to give in to fear in South Africa
today, but remember the words of Marie
Curie: “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is
only to be understood. Now is the time to
understand more, so that we may fear less.“
Derek Fish
Director: Unizulu Science Centre
A woman in her element!
Marie Curie
38 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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At Engen, we want to give you some extra encouragement during your final exams because we understand that education is the first step to a brighter future. That’s one of the reasons why we invest in subjects that will be of long-term value to our business and South Africa. For nearly 3 decades, Engen Maths and Science Schools have provided extra tuition to learners in grades 10 to 12 across the country. Engen wishes you every success for your final matric exams.
Exercise and eat correctly to combat stress.
If the workload is too big, join a study group. But make sure you actually study.
Don’t postpone difficult topics
when studying - tackle the hard
bits first.
Don’t procrastinate!
Good luck!
Studytips
Draw up a study
timetable.
Create a study environment free from
clutter and distractions.
Get a decent night’s sleep. It helps with your concentration.Use tables,
flowcharts and figures - pictures can help you remember
facts.Go over as many past papers as you can.
Get up a little earlier on the morning of an exam - it will allow
you time to have a proper breakfast and you will feel calm when you
arrive at your exam venue.
Make flashcards, use acronyms, sing jingles - anything to help you remember.
www.engenoil.com/education
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