Three schools in Kimberley will always know from where the wind blows!

By Omphile Khutsoane, Education Officer, SAEON Arid Lands Node Tweet

Marumo Setlhare, a meteorological scientist from the South African Weather Service, shows learners how to use the weather station Marco Pauw, research technician of SAEON’s Arid Lands Node, presents the weather stations to school principals. From left: Marco Pauw, the principal of Thabane High School, Mr Daka, and the Deputy Principal of Emang Mmogo Comprehensive Secondary School, Mr N.M. Mfazwe

The education programme of the SAEON Arid Lands Node is all set to enter a new field of activity.

The node recently donated two weather stations to schools in the Kimberley area. The launch event of the programme was hosted by Thabane High School situated in one of the biggest townships in Kimberley, Galeshewe.

Weather stations were presented to the headmasters of the participating schools on the day of the event. The schools will soon be fully equipped to measure and record weather conditions minute by minute, including rainfall, temperature, humidity and wind direction.

Encouraging learners to pursue science careers

The stations will provide real-time data at each school and learners will gain knowledge and experience in the collection and recording of data. These school-based monitoring programmes reflect SAEON’s vision of encouraging learners to pursue careers in science at higher education institutions by interacting with scientists and being motivated to work hard at their studies in order to qualify for embarking on further studies.

The launch was attended by 48 delegates, including stakeholders from the Department of Basic Education, Department of Environment and Nature Conservation, South African National Parks, Department of Water and Sanitation, Sol Plaatje University, the South African Weather Service as well as learners and staff from schools partnering with SAEON. The launch highlighted the importance of collaboration between institutions and schools in a unified effort to empower the youth to build a promising future.

Mr Jo Mpuang of the Northern Cape Department of Education introduced the event as a welcome new extra-curricular programme at local schools. A meteorological scientist from the South African Weather Service, Mr Marumo Setlhare, was one of the key speakers at the event. His speech highlighted the importance of real-time data and the use of weather stations at sites across South Africa, and as far away as Marion Island, where he has worked.

Dealing with climate change will require a huge amount of work. By donating these weather stations, SAEON is enlisting the support of the selected schools to investigate, discover, learn and think about changes in climate in relation to the changes in the environment observed in the Kimberley area.

Omphile Khutsoane, education officer of SAEON’s Arid Lands Node, explains the benefits of using the weather stations to Thabane High School learners