SCIENCE CENTRE
CENTRE OF ATTENTION Welcome to a quick tour of Sci-Bono Discovery Centre. By: Zakiyah Ebrahim Can water disappear when poured into a cup? Can you burn your hand without injury? Can you make rockets from household items? Discover whether these questions are myths or science and supercharge your explorative nature by visiting the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, a worldclass science centre with three fully-equipped laboratories to pique your interest in all things maths, chemistry, physics and life sciences. As South Africa’s most prominent science centre, Sci-Bono is affiliated with the Gauteng Department of Education and aims to help build the country’s science, engineering and technology capacity. Located in the Electric Workshop in the cultural precinct of Newtown, Johannesburg, it frequently welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors to indulge in its interactive science and technology exhibitions. The acid mine drainage workshop, for example, caters for grades 9–12 and allows learners to explore acids and bases and understand what they are, how they form, and what kind of impact they have on our environment. This award-winning centre describes itself as one of the most popular leisure and educational destinations in Gauteng – and with the over350 interactive exhibits it offers to both the general public and the school community, it’s not hard to see why. From a fun climbing wall to a career centre and navigating the night skies, Sci-Bono is guaranteed to provide its visitors with an exhilarating, educational experience. The centre is open seven days a week, including public holidays (except Christmas Day and Good Friday) and has been adapted to adhere to Covid-19 protocols to ensure the safety of all its visitors. It accepts groups of no more than 100 people, and you have to wear a face mask at all times. For more information, visit sci-bono.co.za, email info@sci-bono.co.za or call 011 639 8400.
P lan your visit
Opening times: Weekdays: 09:00–16:30 Saturdays & public holidays: 09:00–16:30 Sundays: 09:00–15:30 Entry rates: Adults: R65 per person Gauteng public schools: R25 per learner * Look out for discounted rates during lockdown. Location: Corner of Miriam Makeba and Helen Joseph (formerly President Street) Streets, Newtown, Johannesburg.
38
Science Stars Energy Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
