This programme is aimed at both in and out-of-school youth and community members in general. It involves raising environmental awareness of open space, biodiversity and conservation issues through the following activities:
Celebration of Environmental Themed Days
Annually the unit celebrate seven environmental theme days that are aligned to the JCPZ mandate. The theme days are part of either national or international themes for a specific environmental day, week or month and they are: National World Wetlands Day, National Water Week, Earth Day, Bird Week, International Day for Biological Diversity, National Environment Week, Arbor Week and Alien Species Week. In partnership with the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) through the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the unit also celebrate National Science Week (NSW). NSW is the initiative of the Department of Science and Technology and its goal is to contribute to the development of a society that is knowledgeable about science, critically engaged and scientifically literate. The Johannesburg Botanical Gardens EE Centre is one of the JCPZ centres that are annually supported by SAASTA through DST to develop, coordinate and implement Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation (STEMI) education and awareness activities aimed at popularising science to the broader South African society as well as making STEMI appealing to learners including the general public, such that they consider STEMI as preferable career options. JCPZ is grateful to the annual sponsorship support by SAASTA and DST towards its educational programmes that annually reach over 80,000 beneficiaries.
Holiday Programmes
Every official school holiday period, each of the four JCPZ education centres host holiday programmes at public amenities such as libraries, recreation centres, parks, nature reserves and shopping centres. The programmes cater various age groups, are fun, hands-on with ample edutainment activities. Beneficiaries of these programmes are exposed to activities such as craft workshops, interpretative nature trails, drama and cleaning up of local public open spaces.
After School Programmes
The EE centres assist school learners from various grades with environmental school projects as part of curriculum learning. The programme is conducted in the afternoon when learners are out of their normal schooling time (after hours) and during school holidays. Learners are encouraged to walk in anytime at any of our centres for assistance. As per curricula requirements, learners are also involved in arranged community service projects.
Exhibitions
In partnership with other public, private and non-governmental organisations, the unit coordinates and displays exhibits in public open spaces, malls and education centres. The exhibits cater a variety of environmental issues that are prevalent in communities within the City of Johannesburg whilst addressing service delivery issues by different city entities.
Further, on an annual basis, the unit in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Education hosts a career exhibition expo for high school learners as part of the June 16 commemorations. At this event, learners are exposed to various careers in the environmental and STEMI sphere. Information on what each career entails, subjects that one needs to pursue for such career/s and which institutions offer the courses for the aspired career is shared with learners.
Mobile Science Education Outreach Programmes
The unit has a mobile science centre (vehicle). The mobile vehicle is sponsored by SAASTA through DST and is utilised to conduct STEMI workshops, talks, science shows, science experiments and other environmental awareness outreach activities for various age groups. Members of the public and learners are invited to book the mobile programmes for outreach programmes which will be conducted at the comfort of their own facilities free of charge. A two weeks’ notice is required to book for the programme. Bookings can be done at: 011 782 9597.
JCPZ ENVIRO SCIENCE FAIR
Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) is partnering with Eskom Expo for Young Scientists to organize its first-ever Enviro Science Fair at the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens. The event aims to discover the most innovative young minds among learners from schools in and around Johannesburg.
The JCPZ Enviro Science Fair provides a platform for learners to showcase their research and findings while building a community dedicated to deeper environmental understanding. Through scientific investigation or engineering methodologies, learners are challenged to identify and address challenges in their communities, which can help drive a greener and more sustainable future.
