Science Week @ CHPC

National Science Week during August 2009 was the ideal occasion to put high performance computing (HPC) right up there in the minds of Cape Town-based learners, along with other wondrous scientific experiences.

Dr Daniel Moeketsi who heads the education and outreach initiative of the CHPC , explains, "National Science Week was the ideal time to promote computational science among the schools to inspire learners to consider a career in HPC-related fields."

Some 220 learners from previously disadvantaged schools in Western Cape passed through the doors of the CHPC during the first week of August 2009. Learners came from schools in Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Langa, Phillipi and Crossroads, were Grade 12 maths and science classes; each school was allocated a specific day to keep numbers optimal for the day's programme. Two maths and science educators responsible for teaching Grade 12 from each school accompanied the learners each day.

Professor Colin Wright, who heads the CSIR's cyberinfrastructure initiative and Dr Happy Sithole, director: CHPC, welcomed learners on the first day. Moeketsi was responsible for the rest of the programme, which included an overview of the facility, visual demonstrations (by means of DVD) of the applications of HPC, a DVD on cosmic collisions in celebration of the Year of Astronomy, a quiz, presentation of moral values in science, engineering and technology by IZOBO, and a visit to the data centre led by the CHPC technical team (Sticks Mabakane and Eric Mbele). Each day concluded with lunch at the African Train Lodge restaurant in Cape Town.

The event was organised with the assistance of IZOBO, a non-governmental organisation working in education. The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement and the CSIR supplied the CHPC with National Science Week promotional material which was handed out to the learners during the focus week.

Learners were highly appreciative of the event. Even though they were all Grade12 learners doing mathematics and science, it was found that none of them had ever used a computer at school before.

Commenting on this, Moeketsi notes, "This is a concern. If they enrol for a career in engineering and natural sciences at tertiary institutions, they will face a steep learning curve. Universities assume that they have a background of computer programming from school."

He goes on, "The latter could be a reason for the high failure rate in computer science at first-year university level, particularly for students from previously disadvantaged schools. The CHPC would like to push for inclusion of computer science at school level and engage more in basic computer training courses in order to bridge the gap in this field."

In a nutshell, Moeketsi is pleased with the outcome, "By these and other efforts, we hope to show what role high-end computing plays in real life. By opening our doors to eager learners, we encourage them to dream of a future with infinite possibilities."