On the 22nd February, the Iimbovane project team set out on their first sampling event of 2012. With a Toyota packed with field equipment and supplies, the team travelled up the N1, N2 and N7 to visit secondary schools where Grade 10 learners helped the project team with the collection of ants.
It is not often that one gets to meet a high profile personality but the Iimbovane project team was recently honoured when the Minister of Science and Technology, Ms. Naledi Pandor visited their laboratory on 21 February 2012 to engage with the Iimbovane team.
The Iimbovane Outreach Project held a training session for learners from one of their partnerships schools, to help these learners develop microscopy skills.
Iimbovane took part in this year’s Science Expo that was held on Friday 5th August 2011 at Swartberg Primary School. Several schools from the Overberg district were also present at the Expo and they showcased their projects which consisted of interesting topics such as recycling, human sense of smell, how to keep cut flowers fresher for longer, to name but a few.
The Iimbovane Project is a science education project that uses ants as a model species to teach high school learners about biodiversity science. By using “ants” as the focus species, Iimbovane, hopes to spark learners’ interest in local biodiversity and to help them understand the science that supports the conservation our rich natural heritage.