RCE KwaZulu Natal - 2018

Location

South Africa
See map: Google Maps
ZA
e-STEAM, a new focus for WESSA uMngeni Valley Education Centre
Basic Information
Title of project : 
e-STEAM, a new focus for WESSA uMngeni Valley Education Centre
Submitting RCE: 
RCE KwaZulu Natal
Contributing organization(s) : 
WESSA, Rhodes university and DUCT
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
education@wessa.org.za
Organizational Affiliation: 
education@wessa.org.za
E-mail: 
education@wessa.org.za
Format of project: 
manuscript
Language of project: 
English
Date of submission:
Wednesday, October 31, 2018
Web link: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4moUhmH5Al0
Does this project link to any education and/or sustainable development policy or policies?: 
No
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Africa and Middle East
Country: 
South Africa
Location(s): 
Howick and the greater KwaZulu Natal province
Address of focal point institution for project: 
WESSA uMngeni Valley Education Centre
1 Karkloof Road
PO Box 394
Howick
South Africa
Ecosystem(s):
Forest, Fresh water, Grassland, Mountain, Urban/Peri-urban, Wetlands
Target Audience:
Community, Higher, Primary, Secondary, Youth (Informal)
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
The Howick area consists of a great range of different income levels. The environment is characterized by agriculturally modified grasslands and urban areas.
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
A great challenge in the area addressed by the project is the mismanagement of waste within communities (SDG11), which impacts our natural environment (SDG15), especially the rivers (SDG14)
Contents
Status: 
Ongoing
Rationale: 
e-STEAM is a teambuilding, leadership and personal development- focused learning framework that builds self-esteem and works toward solving environmental issues through science, technology, arts and mathematics. At the same time, this approach to ESD exposes students to key subjects and integral skills for their educational development and future preparation for either tertiary education or entrepreneurial development.
Objectives: 
By introducing the e-STEAM process into the WESSA uMngeni Valley programmes, we can expose both primary and secondary learners to key skills and techniques for future tertiary education and green work skill requirements.
The outcome of an e-STEAM event is the presentation of a new environmentally-focused concept or technology that can be easily implemented in a local community.
Activities and/or practices employed: 
Learners/participants are guided by an 8-step process, where they develop and present an action project around their chosen topic. The 8-step process includes challenge statement, background research, concept design, method & apparatus list, construction & engineering, testing & improving, final product production and presentation & product launch. Participants are encouraged to present their ideas in a variety of inventive ways, from building models, posters, presentations, social media posts and reporting their action through videos.
e-STEAM events are collaborative think-tanks, where groups of students work together to design and launch a new product or concept focused on the topic of Environmentally Friendly Sustainable Development.
Size of academic audience: 
60
Results: 
Results are recorded via stories of change in the attached document: e-STEAM: A new focus for uMngeni Valley Education Centre: Case Study Siyabonga helping hands
Lessons learned: 
e-STEAM projects have proved to be more successful when problems/challenges are based on the existing knowledge/environment of the learners.
Key messages: 
A team-building, leadership and personal development focused learning process that builds self-esteem.

Pictures:

File Name Caption for picture Photo Credit
Image icon e-STEAM.jpg (402.2 KB) Learners constructing a model of they are greening their school yard K Venter
References and reference materials: 
PDF icon eSTEAM a new focus for uMngeni Valley Education Centre. Case study Siyabonga helping hands.pdf
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere 
Indirect
SDG 2 - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture 
Indirect
SDG 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages 
Direct
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
Direct
SDG 5 - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 
Indirect
SDG 7 - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 
Indirect
SDG 8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all 
Indirect
SDG 9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation 
Indirect
SDG 10 - Reduce inequality within and among countries 
Indirect
SDG 11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 
Direct
SDG 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 
Indirect
SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 
Indirect
SDG 15 - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss 
Direct
SDG 16 - Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 
Indirect
SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development 
Indirect
Theme
Disaster Risk Reduction 
Indirect
Traditional Knowledge  
Indirect
Agriculture 
Indirect
Arts 
Direct
Curriculum Development 
Indirect
Ecotourism 
Indirect
Forests/Trees 
Direct
Plants & Animals 
Direct
Waste 
Direct
Global Action Programme (GAP) on Education for Sustainable Development – Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 1 - Advancing policy 
Indirect
Priority Action Area 2 - Transforming learning and training environments 
Direct
Priority Action Area 3 - Building capacities of educators and trainers 
Indirect
Priority Action Area 4 - Empowering and mobilizing youth 
Direct
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
Direct
Update: 
No