1000 kilometres to the science centre

53 grade seven learners travelled 1,100 kilometres to visit the MTN Sciencentre on Thursday September 20th 2007. Now that's impressive.

The children came from Wrenchville Primary in the Afrikaans-speaking mining/hunting/farming town of Kuruman on the Ghaap Plateau in the isolated Northern Cape.

Technology teacher Solomon Fisher described himself as ''tour leader'' as the bus went down through the former ostrich feather world capital of Oudtshoorn and via George (the sixth oldest town in South Africa, and the centre of the Garden Route) and then another 436 kilometres to reach their destination in the Mother City's science centre.

The children spent the night at the School for the Blind in Athlone. Was it worthwhile? Solomon Fisher seems to think so. He said the word ''yes''. Then he repeated it for emphasis - five times. Then he said ''definitely.'' Then he added ''most definitely.''

''This is our fifth visit. The children enjoyed it, they was very excited and I think they learn something. The staff is friendly and they know what they are doing. We were there for the science demonstration and it was fine.''

By the way, if anyone out there has extra technology or science materials, Solomon Fisher says to send them his way. His cellphone is 083 9253 550.

But there were also 60 learners from another fairly distant part of the country (relative to Kaapenaars, anyhow, who tend to ignore rather a lot of South African geography on the other side of the Hex River).

These learners, ranging from grades four to seven, came from Atang Primary, a dual language (seSotho and English) in Namibia Square, 500 kilometres away in Bloemfontein in the Free State.

For grade three teacher Lisedo Stona, this was her first ever visit to Cape Town. Her voice warmed instantly. She said, personally, she enjoyed it ''very much.'' Ditto the learners.

But wait - there's more. On the same day, the MTN Sciencentre hosted 7 isiXhosa-speaking primary school teachers from Umtata in the Eastern Cape. The teachers came from Mbuqe Primary School, 1,170 kilometres away in Mthata (the former Umtata) in the Eastern Cape.

The trip was organised by Wiseman Ndamase, who works for the Stellenbosch municipality as a housing officer. What is a housing officer doing encouraging teachers to become science fundis, you ask? Wiseman grew up in Mbuqe Extension, going to Cungcwini School. He wanted to plow something back into the community.

And it worked. And how. ''The experience was overwhelming. It happens that they are no longer interested just for the kids but for themselves!'' Apparently, his cellphone has been ringing with calls from other teachers from other rural and poor regions of the Eastern Cape, who've heard from their excited colleagues.

What is more, now Wiseman knows how his cellphone works. ''Waves,'' he marvelled. ''All these things were new to me. And with rural schools, those things were new to them, also. As well as how do you work with internet?''

Wiseman paid tribute to the MTN Sciencentre for waiving the entrance fees. ''We were so lucky. It was a big success and the teachers are interested to come back, if possible in June.'' Anyone who wants to help Wiseman encourage his teachers to broaden their horizons can contact him at 082 7314 452 or check his website at http://www.bellevuestellenbosch.co.za/wiseman/index.php/Main_Page

It almost seems like an anti-climax, but the three long-distance trips listed above were in addition to a few other formal visits on Thursday. These included a group of forty four to six year olds from the educare centre Smart Kidz in Bayview.

Again, lots of great feedback with Smart Kidz principal (and learner - she's doing her national senior certificate in early childhood development over 18 months at Cape College) Shereen Kaiser.

''You can actually hear from the feedback of the parents that the children learnt, they could understand and remember - that was important to me. I encourage the parents in their own time to take them there to the science centre as well,'' she reported back.

''Some of the things they did there, we try to do as well. Simple things, not the dangerous things! Like make a hole in the yoghurt tub and put a string through and wet it to make a noise. That, we use in our music ring.''

In addition, 36 grade four learners under the guidance of Bridget Betram came from the private Reddam House school in Green Point, as well as 71 grade seven learners from Rustenburg Girls Junior School in Rondebosch, with teacher Liska Leslie, all came to the MTN Sciencentre.

Exhaustion and inspiration in equal amounts, I suspect, sums up this day.