Western Cape high school Herzlia scooped pole position at the inaugural HIP2B² iThink Challenge, which took place on Monday 12 May to coincide with the start of National Science Week.
To further drive home the message to young children that the study of maths and science is the key to realising their dreams Mark Shutttleworth’s HIP2B² brand, assisted by the Department of Education, hosted the iThink Challenge whereby teams of learners from Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban simultaneously competed against one another in a variety of science and maths related tasks, riddles and problems in a similar style structure to the hit-television series the Amazing Race.
Over 400 pupils participated in the event with 12 to 17 schools in each region initially competing against one another in the first four stages of the challenge using the HIP2B² website and magazine to search for clues to the various tasks and questions. Participants also had to successfully complete an experiment – creating fire using potassium permanganate and glycerin - in order to progress to the provincial round. Thereafter, the top school in each province went head-to-head against the other finalists in a science trivia web chat challenge. Crawford High School in Durban took second position, followed by Northcliff High School in Johannesburg.
“National Science Week is an annual national celebration of science and the HIP2B² iThink Challenge is the first of its kind to bring together learners from across the country in a fun event that will get learners interested in the study of STEM (science, technology, entrepreneurship and maths) subjects,” says Kate Evans, Communications Manager of BSquare Communications.
Shuttleworth launched the HIP2B² brand five years ago. A self-confessed geek, who became a billionaire in his twenties by breaking new frontiers in computer technology, Shuttleworth started HIP2B² with the intention of making science, maths and technology 'sexy' to high school learners.
Evans said the HIP2B² brand doesn’t sell products, at least not in the traditional physical sense. “Our goal is sell an idea to young learners; that focusing their energies on maths, science and related subjects is a launch pad to many exciting careers. Working hard at them gives you so many more options when you leave school.”
The top three schools in each region for the first four rounds were:
Western Cape
1. Herzlia
2. Redham High
3. Stellenbosch High
Gauteng
1. Northcliff High School
2. Brandcliff House Private School
3.Randpark High School
KwaZulu-Natal
1. Crawford College
2. Westville Boys’ High School
3. St Mary’s DSG
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We've received a few photos from Durban and Cape Town - want to have a peek? Watch this space for more on Joburg!
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Have a look at the HIP2B² National Science Week Video
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Read what the newspapers had to say...
realmdigital
Date: 21/05/08
Name: Nadeem Mahomed
Rating: 4
Comment: I was part of the winning team from Northcliff High School in Jo'burg, and I would like to thank the HIP2B2 team. It was a wonderful way to promote science, and have fun! Well Done to Herzlia on winning and to everyone involved in making this possible. I enjoyed the afternoon. P.S. I thought the chocolates were cool.