As part of the Nelson Mandela Day initiative, Sci-Enza and TuksChess invited a group of young boys called Grooming the Boys to Sci-Enza for a chess and science fun day on Tuesday, the 18^th of July 2017.

Grooming the Boys is an organisation based in Eersterust, Pretoria that aims at teaching and equipping young boys between the ages of 7-14 to various life skills.

The aim of the excursion to Sci-Enza, was for the boys to get a feel of the university setting as well as activities they can engage in. Meeloni Tanna, Gcinile Nkomo, Godfrey Kgatle and Mathipa Sebitsiwa facilitated the day’s activities; the programme ran from 9h30 until 12h30.  
 

During their visit, the boys:

1. We started the day by reminding the boys why Nelson Mandela day is celebrated and what Nelson Mandala did for us.
2. Were entertained with an exciting science show based on the digestive system (gums to the bums) showing what happens to the food as soon as it is in the mouth;
3. Were given a campus tour at the camera obscura where they were able to view the University and parts of Pretoria.
4. Were taught and engaged in a beginners chess lesson where they were taught how to move the pieces as well as a few strategies on learning the game;
5. Got an opportunity to learn and play with the science centres many educational, challenging and fun exhibits such as the mirror maze.

We believe the day was a success and ended on a high note with the boys giving us positive feedback. In the previous year, many of the boys expressed that they had fun and would partake in such an activity again. We did just that by calling them this again for Nelson Mandela day and hope to call them again next year.

We are sure that after today’s activities, we have had a positive impact on the boys and have planted the seed of academic interest into their minds and hearts. All the boys seem to have bright futures ahead of them and we wish them all of the best.