Smart station to monitor air quality
Vanderbijlpark, a pollution hotspot, has been chosen as the location for a state-of-the-art observation station that will monitor both the weather and air quality. This multi-million-rand development will see the NWU becoming the first higher education institution in the country to host a permanent monitoring station on site. According to Emile Hoffmann, lecturer and researcher in the subject group Geography and Environmental Studies, the observation station will contribute towards addressing the dire science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills shortage in the country.
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Tshimologo is changing the way
As in many other countries, our schooling system is formal and performance driven as teachers work toward the completion of a content-driven curriculum. This is especially true for mathematics, and many teachers view maths as abstract facts that are disconnected from daily life. According to Prof Marthie van der Walt from the School for Science and Technology Education, it seems as if learners view maths as a set of abstract rules and procedures without relevance for their daily lives, resulting in disengagement and a fear for the subject. read more |
A loss of sight, but never a loss of vision
Although one often sees various initiatives promoting the importance of physical activity for a healthier lifestyle, children with disabilities are seldom included in these projects. One of the NWU's research focus areas is now exploring the possibility of investing its expertise to place the spotlight on these individuals. The research focus area for Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation (PhASRec) in the Faculty of Health Sciences recently hosted world-renowned Prof Lauren Lieberman, who delivered a faculty lecture about exercise for people with impairments. read more |