Science engagement framework and youth into science strategy: science centre capacity building project evaluation 2016

Abstract

In response to the capacity challenge experienced among the growing number of South African science centres, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) introduced the Science Centre Capacity Building (SCCB) project in 2005/06. The responsibility for the delivery of this project rests with the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) which was mandated to address capacity building within science centres through the provision of training opportunities which support science centre officials in enhancing the management of their centres, and encourage networking among the network of science centres. The training which was conducted through the SCCB in 2016 is evaluated in this study in relation to the objectives and expected outcomes of the SCCB project. The 2016 training included four workshops, the job shadowing programme held at six centres during the year, and the annual Southern African Association of Science and Technology Centres (SAASTEC) Conference which was held in KwaZulu-Natal in November.