The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences is very aware of this reality and therefore hosted its third Grade 9 Open Day earlier this year.

More than 400 learners from 16 schools, including schools from Pretoria, Mamelodi, and Eersterust, and even as far as Bethlehem, attended this informative day.

The activities kicked off with the Dean of the Faculty, Prof Anton Ströh, welcoming the learners and teachers to the University. He emphasised the importance of choosing the right subjects in order to pursue a fulfilling career and expressed the hope that all learners present would become future Tukkie students.

Ms Samantha Pretorius, a lecturer in the Department of Insurance and Actuarial Science, gave an overview of the different study programmes and the entry requirements for the respective degrees in the Faculty. Mr Petrus Lombard from the JuniorTukkie programme showed a DVD to the learners, explained how the programme works and discussed the benefits of being a JuniorTukkie.

Mr Mmatlou Kalaba from the Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development was the master of ceremonies and also gave an interesting talk on career possibilities in the agricultural and related fields. Prof Chris Theron, Head of the Physics Department, explained some interesting developments in the world of physics. In her enthusiastic presentation, Ms Immaculate Zinde from Potatoes South Africa also encouraged the learners to consider a career in the agricultural sector and highlighted the many scarce skills currently in this sector.

All the different departments of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences exhibited, and learners had the opportunity to browse through the exhibitions and gather more in-depth knowledge of the different departments.

Running simultaneously with the learners’ programme this year, was a workshop for Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Orientation teachers from the schools concerned.

The highlight of the day was the science show by members of Sci-Enza, the University’s own science centre, where they amazed the learners with their interesting experiments.
 

Staff members of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences Learners explaining the different study opportunities and careers in science.