A world of scientific wonder and artificial intelligence (AI) came to the University of Pretoria (UP) this July, as Sci-Enza, UP’s interactive science centre, hosted the Merck Curiosity Cube programme. This landmark event, which brought a mobile science lab to inspire the next generation of innovators in Tshwane, was a first for Africa.

The Curiosity Cube was a marvel of modern design: a solar-powered mobile lab with full accessibility for people with physical disabilities. Its focus on AI was aligned with the curriculums for Grades 4 to 7, thereby fostering critical 21^st-century skills such as logical thinking and problem-solving. 

This initiative was a powerful collaboration driven by a shared commitment to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and community engagement. It was a collective effort involving various UP departments, the Department of Basic Education, Tshwane District and Merck Group, a German multinational that is a global leader in science and technology. 

The programme provided a transformative, hands-on learning experience for more than 1 000 learners and teachers from 17 Tshwane schools and 100 members of the public, all of whom had the opportunity to envision themselves as future scientists and innovators. In addition to school visits, the Curiosity Cube was also opened to the public for a special free event, allowing families and young science enthusiasts to dive into the fundamentals of AI. 

Participants engaged in hands-on experiments, including exploring AI-generated images versus real photos; discovering how human brains and AI learn in similar ways; and modelling how AI uses pattern recognition to operate self-driving cars. The project not only exposed learners to cutting-edge technology, but also demonstrated the welcoming and engaging nature of the scientific community. 

The success of the event was made possible by dedicated volunteers, including postgraduate students from UP’s Department of Chemistry and Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology. The programme’s success was best captured by the enthusiastic feedback from participating educators. Teachers from schools like Laerskool Silverton, Arcadia Primary and Jopie Fourie Primary School shared their appreciation, highlighting the positive impact on learners and themselves. They praised the well-organised sessions, the “sweet and friendly” facilitators and the transportation provision, which made the experience accessible for many.

“Thank you so much to the staff of Sci-Enza, Merck and [the Tshwane District] for this great opportunity, and for arranging transportation to and from the venue,” said a teacher from Arcadia Primary. “The learners and educators had a fantastic time and enjoyed this experience!”

The Curiosity Cube programme is a powerful example of Sci-Enza’s mission to make science accessible to all. The centre, located on UP’s Hatfield campus, is a permanent hub for scientific discovery and is home to more than 200 science-related displays, including a camera obscura that offers an all-round view of the area. While general entry is free, facilitated school and science programmes are available for a fee to support the centre’s efforts to provide high-quality educational experiences.