Star 2022-06-27

More institutions or organisations should develop support structures for students, especially women, involved in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programmes. This was the call made by a number of females from the STEM industries during a webinar held by the Government Communication and Information System, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Innovation. The webinar, held on Wednesday, aimed to celebrate the contribution of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) industries. The event was hosted as part of the Youth Month campaign, which aimed to inspire, engage and encourage young women to consider a career in STEM-related fields. According to the Unesco report, “Cracking the code: Girls’ and Women’s Education in STEM”, only 35% of STEM students in higher education globally are women. Despite the tremendous…

Closure of schools during Covid-induced lockdowns across the world had a “deep impact” and spiked a “global mental health crisis” in young children, according to a recent report by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The report said that globally, there was a greater change in the prevalence of major depressive disorders and anxiety disorders among younger age groups than older ones, potentially reflecting the “deep impact of school closures and social restrictions on youth mental health”. Extended school and university closures interrupted routines and social connections, meaning that young people missed out on learning and experiences expected for healthy development. The disruption and isolation fuelled feelings of anxiety, uncertainty and loneliness and led to affective and behavioural problems. “Restrictions imposed during the Covid pandemic, for example, had significant mental health…

A passionate campaigner for female empowerment, Galaletsang Phalatse has been devoted to HIV prevention for as long as she can remember. Phalatse will be attending a meeting hosted by the South African Ambassador to the US, Nomaindia Mfeketo, in Washington DC. She will participate in activities to help make global leaders aware of the plight of girls and young women in Africa. “It is a huge honour and humbling to be only one of three girls chosen to represent South Africa in this fantastic campaign. The Global Fund has done some fantastic work to help save lives by helping to provide HIV treatment. However, it is so important for young girls around the world to be equipped with the right knowledge to prevent HIV from spreading, and ensure we stay…

Many parents needed the electronic nanny during Covid-19, and the screen-time debate was virtually muted. The Oxford dictionary defines screen-time as time spent using a device such as a computer, television or gaming console. The time has come to discuss how to strike the right balance when it comes to screen-time, as children continue their educational journeys online. Colin Northmore, the principal at Evolve Online School, discusses the three different kinds of screen-time: passive, active and cognitive. “It is important to ensure that the screen-time that a child is exposed to is a combination of these three and that schooling isn’t automatically considered cognitive screen-time when it is, in fact, passive screen-time.” Passive screen-time Is when the person is watching a screen for entertainment reasons without interacting with the content…

Children learn more by being “allowed” to ask questions and figure things out for themselves. Adopting a coaching approach allows them to become participants in their own learning and motivates critical thinking. Gabi Immelman, CEO and founder of e-learning platform Mindjoy, shares her insight with teachers and home-schoolers on how to build a coaching mindset in their approach to foster a love of learning in children by making them partners in their own discoveries. So how do we keep curiosity alive in children? 1. Be a co-researcher. Resist the urge to give instructions or answers. 2. Be an active listener. 3. Try to withhold judgement. 4. Focus on progress, not perfection or results. A coaching mindset focuses on…

A treat for Titanic fans: James Cameron is to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his film by launching the remastered version next year on Valentine’s Day. The love story of Rose and Jack is set to melt hearts again. According to Deadline, Cameron aims to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Oscar-winning and box office phenomenon for a fresh theatrical release. A remastered version will be in cinemas in 3D 4K HDR and high-frame-rate, with Disney releasing internationally from February 10, 2023. Cameron’s long-time producing partner and chief operating officer of Lightstorm Entertainment, Jon Landau, fresh off a 36-hour plane journey from New Zealand, teased news of the Titanic re-release at Disney’s CineEurope presentation in Barcelona last Wednesday. There he showed off a 3D look at the remastered version. |…