IEEE Women in Engineering Magazine - June 2010 - 38

demonstration, the introduction of
the IEEE, motivational and engineering talks, the introduction of the STAR
program, and a question and answer
session. Throughout the talks and demonstration, WIE promotional materials
were handed out to the students and
those that also exercised their curiosity.
The agenda lasted for about two hours.

Experilab Science Demonstration
During the Experilab science demo,
various science experiments were showcased including the making of plastics
(polymers), how to generate electricity,
how to construct a potato gun, several
chemical reactions, and flying rockets,
all of which were performed to stir up
the attendees and educate them about
science. The students were enthused by
the experiments that were performed,
especially the making of plastics, how
to generate electricity, and the flying
of rockets.

Engineering Talks
Oladayo Bello, the chair of the IEEE WIE
in South Africa, introduced the IEEE
and WIE and explained its mission in
Phateng Comprehensive School. In her
speech, Oladayo described how science
and engineering forms a part of our
daily lives and how the eradication of the

Bello (in white), chair of the IEEE WIE in South Africa, takes time out to
pose with STAR students.

products and outcomes of science and
engineering could take us back to the
Stone Age. She told the students that the
world has enjoyed the inventions of the
past generation (electricity, telephone,
cars, and aircraft) and we are currently
making use of the innovations of the
current generation (such as cell phones).
Future inventions and innovations will
be based on the keenness of the students'
generation to pursue careers in science
and engineering.
Bello added that this is the time they
can make a decision to perform well in

The Experilab Science demo included various science experiments such as the
making of plastics (polymers), how to generate electricity, how to construct a potato
gun, chemical reactions, and flying a rocket.

IEEE WOMEN IN ENGINEERING MAGAZINE

JUNE 2010

math and science subjects so that they
can be capable of handling the baton
when it is passed to them. Oladayo encouraged the students to concentrate
and study well. She emphasized that the
school-leaving examination is an opportunity for them to establish a good future. She stated that the school-leaving
exam (grade 12) is once in a lifetime,
but it has a huge impact on the rest of a
lifetime. If they can work hard to achieve
very good grades in their Matric, they
will be able to secure admission into tertiary institutions.
Martha Mailula, the vice chair of
IEEE WIE, University of Pretoria Student
Branch, talked to the students about
why science, engineering, and technology careers are important for the future
generation. She asked the students
about the difference between science,
engineering, and technology. Mailula
said that South Africa is a country that
is experiencing a great skill shortage in
science and engineering and in order to
be able to close the gap, their generation
needs to be up to the task. Scholarships
and bursaries are out there waiting for
them, all they need to do is to sit at their
desk and concentrate on their studies.
Hard work is the key.
Chioniso Dube, the chair-elect of
IEEE WIE in South Africa, talked about
the objectives of the STAR program
and explained how the students can get
involved in the program. Students in

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Women in Engineering Magazine - June 2010