The mid-year school holidays were jam-packed with exciting activities for PROTEC learners who participated in a variety of workshops. In addition to enrichment classes in Maths and Physics, all grades participated in various fun activities facilitated by the UKZN Science & Technology Education Centre.

The Grade 10s enjoyed a robotics workshop, Grade 11s did Newton’s Second Law of Motion, and Grade 12s did a practical on the Conservation of Momentum.

Marion Takis, PROTEC Tongaat Branch Manager, says, “These workshops applied maths and physical science concepts in a practical and fun way, while also developing good teamwork habits, and problem-solving and communication skills. The learners also tested their skills and aptitude in engineering and increased their understanding of technology and the environment.” said PROTEC Tongaat manager Marion Takis.

Other holiday activities included the opportunity for grade 11s and 12s to visit potential places of employment, which included FFS Refiners, Dis-Chem Ballito, Victoria Mediclinic, Tongaat Community Healthcare Clinic, all of whom were gracious enough to host our learners.

Andile Xaba, Grade 11 learner, comments, “I had the privilege to visit FFS Refiners. Before the visit I thought I knew what a chemical engineer does and was set on it being the career for me, but after the visit I realised that I didn’t know much about the career. FFS Refiners explained exactly what chemical engineering is about and also taught us about the engineering field as a whole, including the many other careers it contains. I gained much knowledge about engineering and I am now more confident that engineering is the field for me.”

Matriculant Snelizwe Mbambo, who is planning to study pharmacy next year, says, “Work exposure not only allows us to learn more in-depth about the career paths we want to pursue, but it also helps us decide and observe whether we are making the right career choice or not.”