Books – African Institute of Technology

We can improve Stem marks, simply by showing up

Lyle Liyabona — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 08:31:17 +0000

Daily Maverick – 27 January 2026

This month, more South Africans than ever celebrated the news that their children passed matric, with the country’s highest pass rate in history (88%). But if you look a little closer, the details tell a much more complex story.

Our marks are not improving, which may seem discordant when we see more and more top African scientists shining on the global stage.

South Africa’s 2025 maths pass rate fell from 69% to 64%, and physics plateaued around 77%, only rising by 1%.

Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube also noted that in 2025, only 42% of kids aged four to five were developmentally on track with early numeracy. The latest global TIMSS data also shows a significant drop in our primary school maths marks – worse than half of all countries surveyed.

This poor performance doesn’t just affect individual young people’s lives. It hampers innovation and has a significant impact on the economy. It indicates that we haven’t come far enough since apartheid’s discriminatory maths exclusion laws. And it impacts on SA’s ability to “meet the challenges of the future, like AI, climate change, energy and sustainable development”, in the words of Vijay Reddy, author of the South African Public Relationship with Science Survey, undertaken by the Human Sciences Research Council.

So, this International Day of Education, you’d be forgiven for wanting to jump right in to try to solve the blatant issues with South Africa’s education system – especially if you’re a scientist.

Scientists solve problems. That’s their thing.

But the solution is not only about improving resources and funding to schools (although this would certainly help). A far more pragmatic approach may be to inspire and foster the talent that already exists in our classrooms.

And that’s something that scientists and innovators can start doing, today.

Excellence is everywhere

Some of South Africa’s maths and science learners are excelling globally and raising the profile of African knowledge, despite a widespread lack of basic schooling resources across the nation. A familiar tale amid the devastating inequality experienced in our country.

In December, four young scientists won top honours at the World Innovative Science Project Olympiad (WISPO) in Bali, earning prestigious Grand Awards for their innovative projects.

In more established cohorts, UCT Professor Lynne Shannon was awarded the 2025 Prince Albert Grand Medal for Ocean Science, the first researcher in the entire Global South to win the distinguished accolade.

We are not lacking in talent. We just need to help foster it.

If talent is not bolstered by exposure and belief at all levels of schooling, there is little chance of inherent aptitude being brought to its full potential, even with ideal resources in place … kind of like a loaf of bread being left to rise in a dank, dark environment where it simply cannot expand, no matter how perfect its ingredients.

Scientists can play a huge role in inspiring and proving to students that it is for them, and that they’re capable of overcoming the challenges they will encounter along the way. This can happen simply by showing up and putting out exciting science where young people can engage with it, in their own language, and on their own terms.

Three ways for scientists to make a difference

My research is focused on the role of scientists in schools, not primarily as educators, but as role models. What I’ve found is that simply by facilitating conversations with young people about science as a tool for creating alternative futures, we can tangibly change education outcomes. Here are some ideas to help scientists do this:

1. Diverse visibility

Research by Marina Joubert from the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (Crest) in 2017 found that while “only 8% of South Africans are white, 78% of the group of ‘visible’ scientists were white, and 63% of the visible scientists were men. Only 17 black women were identified as publicly visible scientists.”

In any career, you cannot be what you cannot see. Early visibility of scientists of every race, gender and class is vital to help young people to see themselves in the field, and not just the image of a wealthy, white, lab-coated male. This will go a long way to developing the next generation of African investigators and problem solvers.

2. Presence

Unfortunately, seeing scientists at all is often more of a hurdle. So, scientists should take every opportunity to place themselves in the media, especially into spaces in which young people can engage.For many young people in under-resourced schools or regions, exposure to any working scientists or their stories is rare.

Many children have little or no knowledge of how their unique talents and passions could lead them into highly fulfilling careers and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and valuably to the sector, and to society at large. Each of us can think back to a childhood encounter that inspired us or motivated us in a particular direction.

The presence of scientists and their stories in the lives of young people is a practical, proven, high-level way that we can contribute to South Africa’s long-term improvement in education.

3. Storytelling

Science is, contrary to popular belief, not all about numbers and chemical symbols. It’s about stories: of how people have solved the world’s biggest problems or changed their own lives through innovation, and ancient or alternative ways of thinking. When you frame concepts like this – real people doing amazing things – it’s suddenly much more compelling or easy to engage with new ideas as a young person.

Our national Science Spaza programme has been a great example for me of the efficacy of this “visibility, presence, storytelling” thinking in action.

Through Science Spaza, we distribute real stories of African scientists and innovators in engaging formats (such as comics, videos or interactive worksheets) to curious young minds aged 12-18. We’ve seen time and time again how this human, story-based, fun approach makes science more relevant, relatable and exciting.

Over the past 11 years, learners across our 120+ science clubs have seen their marks improve, career pathways open up and general passion for increase – simply by seeing scientists like them reflected back to them, and learning about the powerful ways that science and maths are being used in the world to transform lives for the better.

One high school student, Goratileone Oepeng, began a science club and registered it with Science Spaza to receive newspapers and activity worksheets. Years later, he won the FameLab heat at the University of Pretoria, where he was a master’s student in entomology. I recently bumped into him at the Oppenheimer Research Conference, where he was giving a young researcher spotlight talk, a champion for bees and biodiversity.

Make a difference

By getting scientists and their stories into schools, we’re not just filling a resource gap; we’re also showing kids that science is theirs for the taking. It’s about identity, not just ideas.

If you’re a scientist, you have the power to make a difference – it’s just not where you might expect it.

Sure, we need funding and teachers and classrooms. But my research has shown that so often, we make the mistake of thinking we can jump in and solve systemic issues all at once, without focusing on tangible ways to foster the talent that already exists in schools, and ensure it reaches the global stage. We need scientists to inspire young people to follow in their footsteps, which will, in turn, encourage them to dedicate themselves to learning.

No matter what field your research is in, there are probably more ways you could be sharing your work with local schools or supporting the next generation to become involved – by showing up in person, embracing the media to tell your stories of science, or by contributing to resources that students can engage with to learn not just about your research, but about YOU.

Maybe you look like them.

Maybe you’ve had an inspiring journey to get to where you are.

Or maybe you’re simply the first scientist they’ve ever seen.

Whatever your story, it’s worth sharing.

Not just for you, or for students and their learning outcomes, but for South Africa’s future and African knowledge as a whole

Best Three Billy Goats Gruff Books for Preschool

admin — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 19:25:00 +0000

Bringing Classic Fairy Tales to Young Readers

The story of The Three Billy Goats Gruff has delighted children for generations. Its simple plot, repetitive language, and playful tension make it ideal for preschoolers. Beyond entertainment, it teaches lessons about courage, problem-solving, and thinking creatively. Reading this tale helps develop early literacy, listening skills, and imagination. With numerous versions available, selecting the right books enhances engagement, comprehension, and interactive learning.

1. The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Paul Galdone

Paul Galdone’s version is a classic retelling that combines charming illustrations with clear, rhythmic text. Its storytelling style is perfect for read-aloud sessions, keeping children engaged and helping them anticipate phrases, which supports early language development.

Reading Tips for Parents and Teachers:

Emphasize the rhythm and repetition to build phonemic awareness.
Pause before each goat crosses the bridge to encourage predictions.
Ask children to describe the troll’s appearance to enhance observation skills.

Interactive Activities:

Puppet Show: Create simple goat and troll puppets using paper or socks to act out the story.
Bridge Building: Use blocks to make a “bridge” and have children practice crossing it with toy goats.
Role-Play: Assign roles (troll, goats) and let children act out dialogue to improve speaking skills.

2. The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Jerry Pinkney

Jerry Pinkney’s version is vibrant and detailed, with lush illustrations that immerse children in the story. It encourages careful observation and discussion, making it excellent for interactive storytelling. Pinkney’s subtle emphasis on the environment and surroundings adds an extra layer for discussion.

Reading Tips for Parents and Teachers:

Encourage children to describe the scenery in the illustrations.
Discuss the goats’ emotions and the troll’s behavior to promote empathy.
Pause to ask “what might happen next?” to develop critical thinking.

Interactive Activities:

Nature Walk Storytelling: Take children on a short outdoor walk and have them describe bridges, streams, or animals they see, connecting real-life observations to the story.
Illustration Hunt: Identify patterns or details in Pinkney’s illustrations to develop visual literacy.
Emotion Faces: Have children make faces showing how the goats or troll might feel at different story points.

3. The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Mara Alperin

Mara Alperin’s adaptation combines colourful illustrations with playful, repetitive text that’s perfect for preschool literacy. The story encourages participation, helping children gain confidence in reading aloud and engaging with the narrative.

Reading Tips for Parents and Teachers:

Invite children to repeat key phrases or dialogues to strengthen memory and speech.
Encourage children to predict what each goat will do next.
Discuss the moral of the story courage and creative thinking using simple language.

Interactive Activities:

Counting Goats: Use toy goats to count as each one crosses the bridge, combining literacy with early math skills.
Story Sequencing: Have children arrange picture cards representing each scene in order.
Draw Your Own Troll: Encourage children to create their own troll illustration, fostering creativity and artistic expression.

Why These Books Work for Preschool

These three adaptations are excellent choices because they:

Introduce basic narrative structure and sequencing.
Support listening and early reading comprehension through repetitive text.
Teach social-emotional lessons such as courage, problem-solving, and empathy.
Encourage interaction with illustrations and storytelling cues.
Provide opportunities for participatory reading and hands-on activities.

The timeless story of The Three Billy Goats Gruff continues to captivate pre-schoolers while offering valuable early learning opportunities. Each book by Paul Galdone, Jerry Pinkney, and Mara Alperin offers a unique combination of engaging text, illustrations, and interactive possibilities. By incorporating reading tips and hands-on activities, parents and educators can turn story time into an immersive learning experience, enhancing literacy, social skills, and creativity. These adaptations ensure that this classic tale remains a favourite while supporting pre-schoolers’ growth in multiple domains.