Goethe-Institut to host Science Week 2020

Goethe-Institut Namibia and various local partners will hold the Science Week 2020 under the theme ‘Sustainable Development Goals’ from 12-19 October.

This year’s edition includes a series of experiments for learners, the Science Film Week 2020, a poetry competition and panel discussion. Partners involved are the United Nations Environment Programme, Ministry of Mines and Energy, Namibian Scientific Society and the Scientific Society
Swakopmund.

Targeting learners in primary and middle school, Science Week 2020 has with the support of Imani Scietechnology Investment, produced video clips of three experiments through which the relevance of SDGs are highlighted by the demonstration of scientific concepts that are part of Namibia’s education curriculum. These videos will be published on the Goethe-Institut Namibia YouTube channel from 14 to 16 October for them to be easily accessible by educators and parents, and will also be part of a Science Pack.

The Science Pack is available at the Goethe-Institut Namibia Library and Swakopmud Museum until the end of this academic year. A Science Pack can be leased by a teacher or parent/guardian. Goethe-Institut Namibia Director, Daniel Stoevesandt said this year’s programme has been designed to reach the minds of as many learners as possible.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has made it impossible for us to visit schools and facilitate the fun experiments for learners, let alone plan in advance. The Science Pack consists of a selection of DVDs from the Science Film Festival 2020, along with those we have produced in Namibia and descriptions of fun experiments that could be done in a kitchen or classroom because they do not require laboratory equipment,” Stoevesandt said.

UN Environmental Programme Executive Director Inger Andersen in a statement said to address the Covid-19 pandemic alone is addressing only one symptom of bigger problems including climate inaction, destruction of habitats, widening income and gender gaps, and other problems undermining natural and social support systems.

“Faced with an unprecedented challenge, we may be inclined to fall back on old habits that pollute the planet and deepen social and economic inequality. But it need not be this way. We can build back better from the pandemic,” Andersen said.

Science Film Week will feature the screening of a selection of films from the initiative’s international catalogue. The screenings held at the Namibian Scientific Society and Scientific Society Swakopmund from 12 to 19 October are open to the public but seats are limited and must be reserved in advance.

Furthermore, a discussion on 14 October at the Goethe-Institut Namibia and moderated
by Kombada Mhopenjeni from the Ministry of Mines and Energy features inventors from Namibia who have created something they believe could contribute towards the country’s efforts in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and a Poetry Competition with the focus on these goals is also open to the public and five entrants stand the chance to win a N$250 ABC Stationers voucher.

To reserve the limited seats, send your name and number to [email protected] with ‘science’ as the subject by 13 October 2020, 12h00.