Educator support

As a first stage, Advancing Knowledge supports educators to improve the Culture of STEM Teaching by providing training in content knowledge, pedagogical strategies, practical and experimental skills and assessment modalities. The STEM support to educators has been provided in Western, Eastern and Northern Cape provinces and takes place in the form of training sessions and workshops, as well as structured and accredited courses.

Learner support

As a second stage Advancing Knowledge NPC addresses the Culture of STEM Learning by supporting the learners of participating teachers’ through tutorial programmes in science and mathematics, STEM clubs, STEM shows, STEM competitions, mathematics mini-conventions, STEM exhibitions and STEM conferences.

Infrastructure support

​The third stage to STEM development involves the construction of a STEM laboratory called a STEM Teaching and Learning Centre (STEM TLC). In general schools in disadvantaged communities were never built with facilities that would engender the learning of STEM. Thus, the construction of a STEM TLC provides the teachers and learners with a creative space in which the teaching and learning of science and mathematics can be harnessed. The STEM TLC therefore serves as the hub in schools where the culture of STEM teaching and the culture of STEM learning are incubated to lead to improved results and better understanding of content for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics careers. The construction of STEM TLCs takes place in partnership with corporate and government funders who either fund the construction in its entirety or make a contribution towards the construction. AK NPC serves as the vehicle through which this project is managed, maintained and implemented, and provides the training and support for teachers and learners.

STEM Innovation

​The STEM TLCs were designed by the Head of AK NPC, Prof Shaheed Hartley – three of his designs have to date been constructed namely primary, secondary and a teacher training STEM TLC. Each STEM TLC consists of designed work stations, modern audio-visual equipment, as well the STEM curriculum equipment, apparatus and chemicals as well training to teachers on how to utilise the facility. The construction of a Science TLC is preceded by the training of the school’s science teachers, science activities for the learners and support and commitment from the school management.