UNIZULU Science Centre – University of Zululand

Exploratorium

The Science Centre (Exploratorium) forms the base for all activities with more than 200 interactive experiments on display for visiting school-learners, in addition to a 200 seater, state-of-the-art auditorium. Most of the learners in our contact area have no access to scientific equipment, and gain at best a theoretical knowledge of the subject. The Science Centre seeks to provide a “hands-on” experience of Science for these learners. The Science Centre is visited by up to 30 000 learners each year, mostly from severely disadvantaged, rural schools. Visitors enjoy a science show, science workshop, time with exhibits and a visit to the adjacent career guidance centre.

South Africa

Award
Winning

Kwazulu natal

State-of-the-art
Auditorium

Richards Bay

career
guidance
centre

Planetarium

USC has an inflatable planetarium – in which up to 60 learners can enjoy a perfectly accurate depiction of the night skies. Various programmes revolve around this, involving sundials, telescopes and optics.

60 learners

Inflatable
Planetarium

ancient times

Sundials

astronomical object

telescopes
and optics

Early Childhood Development Centre

USC has a dedicated Early Childhood Development Centre opened in 2011 with funding from BHP Billiton and a donation of exhibits from Graz in Austria. It is the only dedicated children’s museum on the continent of Africa.

writing and drawing

Architecture

identifying shapes.

Cognitive
and
Intellectual

jumping or running

gross
motor skills

Mobile exhibits

The UNIZULU Science Centre has pioneered the Australian “Science on the Move” programme in South Africa, setting up mobile exhibits in rural schools and taking shows and educator workshops out of the Centre. These mobile exhibits (which were developed in-house) have toured several schools.

South Africa

Science on
the Move

Kwazulu natal

Educator
Workshops

KwaDlangezwa

Rural schools

Special Events and Festivals

Regular special events and focus weeks (like National Science Week in August) are held each year to maximise media coverage and impact on the surrounding communities. Since 2015, Zulfest, the Zululand Science Festival, has been held in May each year, attracting the best of local and international presenters to USC.

innovation

National
Science Week

Zulfest Est. 2015

Zululand
Science Festival

Worldwide Exclusive

best of local
and international
presenters

Educator Enrichment Courses

Many three-day and one-day courses are run for Science educators annually to consolidate and broaden their skills, in conjunction with the Centre for the Advancement of Science and Mathematics Education (CASME). These courses provide vital in-service training for educators in Science, Mathematics and Biology. USC has also provided science and maths teacher training in 4 educational districts for the Department of Education.

innovation

Three-day and
One-day Courses

CASME

Centre for the
Advancement
of Science and
Mathematics Education

Worldwide Exclusive

Vital in-service
training

Competitions

Competitions are run for learners to generate enthusiasm for the subject. These have included Bridge Building, Water Competition, Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, Astronomy Quizzes and Essay Competitions.

innovation

Eskom Expo for
Young Scientists

Zulfest Est. 2015

Astronomy
Quizzes

Worldwide Exclusive

Essay
Competitions

Resource Centre

A resource centre of equipment, audiovisual aids and reading matter has been set up in the new Richards Bay Centre (run by CASME) to allow educators access to these vital teaching-aids.

innovation

Equipment

Zulfest Est. 2015

Audiovisual Aids

Worldwide Exclusive

Reading Matter

Matric Workshops

Science Workshops focusing on skills in preparation for the final exams are presented twice a year to over 5000 matric students at 11 rural venues. In 2020, owing to the COVID Lockdown, a series of videos (Essential Skills for Matric Science) was made so that these workshops could be accessed virtually:- over the internet or from memory sticks

innovation

5000 Matric
Students at 11
Rural Venues

Zulfest Est. 2015

Essential Skills
for Matric Science

Worldwide Exclusive

Final exams
Preparations

university of zululand

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Key Activities

Second Girls in Control Workshop

News

In order to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, and further achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the University of Zululand’s (UNIZULU) Department of Mathematical Sciences recently hosted

UNIZULU hosts the informative Seminar on Indigenous Knowledge Systems

News

The Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) has been used as the melodic instrument to tune some cords in the society. The IKS refers to local knowledge and information that is unique to a given culture or society. This awareness includes all

UNIZULU Staff Member Excelled In Postgraduate Studies

News

Cytochrome P450 enzymes play a key role in producing secondary metabolites or natural compounds. Secondary metabolites are widely used in human and veterinary medicine, agriculture, and manufacturing. Many bacterial species are known to produce secondary metabolites. However, the role of

UNIZULU Keeps Empowering Educators in the District to Improve Maths Pass Rate

News

The University of Zululand (UNIZULU), on Tuesday and Wednesday (16 and 17 May), hosted its annual mathematics convention for educators working within the King Cetshwayo District in an effort to improve the pass rate of school learners in the district. The

Girls In Control For Zululand

News

Professor Syamala Krishnannair, a specialist in Automation and Control in the Department of Mathematical Sciences coordinated the first ‘Girls in Control’ workshop .This notable event took place at UNIZULU Science centre on 25 July 2022 . The first session of the

Record 30000 Visit UNIZULU Science Centre

News

The UNIZULU Science Centre ended the year 2017 on a high note, having reached a record number of 30 008 visitors during the course of the year. “With schools closed and the goal agonisingly close, special public events this week ensured

FOCUSING ON
SKILLS IN
PREPARATION

visited by up to 30 000 learners
each year, mostly from severely
disadvantaged, rural schools

Essential Skills
for Matric Science

consolidate

and

broaden
their skills

191851223_3978934988854598_7900469272260003856_n

run for
learners
to generate
enthusiasm

A resource centre
of equipment,
audiovisual aids
and
reading matter

what matters most is

Early
Childhood
Development
Centre

what matters most is

dedicated
children’s
museum

what matters most is

4 educational districts

what matters most is

the Department
of Education

Science on the Move

Allow Educators Access to these Vital
Teaching-Aids

At A Glance

For school bookings and more information contact the Science Centre on:

035 902 6993

076 398 1071

MthembuSI@unizulu.ac.za

Silindile Mthembu

silindilemthembu1@gmail.com

I Have A Warrior's Heart, But I Am Not Unmoved By Your Words

Director

035 902 6991

082 452 8566

FishD@unizulu.ac.za

Dr Derek Fish

I put the brains and brawn together and now look at me. Best of both worlds.

Projects Officer

035 902 6905

malingan@unizulu.ac.za

Nsikelelo Malinga

The only way to know how strong you are is to keep testing your limits

HIV AIDS Manager

035 902 6990

thambarand@unizulu.ac.za

Diloshni Chetty

Get in Touch

BOOKINGS

Come Explore the wonders of Science With Us

We are here to help and answer any question you might have. We look forward to hearing from you.

Organizing a Visit: UNIZULU SCIENCE CENTRE – 2025

Visit South Africa’s best Science Centre, a proud double NSTF Award winner, and enjoy a four-hour experience for only fifteen rands (R15) per visitor.

What’s included in your visit: Four Engaging STEM Experiences:

Science Shows:

- Term 1: “Sounds of Science” – learn about sound, waves, music and our ears!
- Term 2: “Materials Matter”– a Chemistry show about what makes up Matter!
- Term 3: “Electrical Energy” – explore the electrical energy in lightning and circuits
- Term 4: “Spinning in Space” – take a trip to space where everything’s spinning!

Optional shows offered throughout the year: Digestion show ‘From Gums to Bums’, Light Show, Maths Show and a Planetarium Show
For Grades 10-12: Opportunity to select a curriculum topic or prescribed experiment for presentation. NB: Grade 12 students visiting will each receive a free “Essential Skills” Exam Preparation booklet, with videos for the teacher.

Explore over 200 Interactive Science Exhibits from across the globe, including some from the London Science Museum.

Hands-on Workshops, Games and Extra Programs

Career Guidance Session at the adjacent Zululand Careers Centre presented by a qualified career counsellor.

Entry fees: Local schools and visitors will be charged R15 per learner. Visitors from outside our designated area will be charged R20 per learner (the actual cost to us is R85 per learner). There is a minimum fee of R450 for local groups of fewer than 30 people and R600 for groups of fewer than 30 people located further away. Payable as cash on arrival or via EFT.

Maximize Your Visit: We recommend a full four-hour visit, preferably from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, to ensure your learners enjoy a comprehensive experience, including a break. If you cannot arrive by 9:00 AM, please make special arrangements with us. Although you are welcome to shorten your visit by excluding some activities, the fee remains the same. Please contact us for further details.

Booking Instructions: Please note NEW PHONE NUMBERS

Call or Whatsapp us on the Science Centre phone: 0763981071
Use 0824528566 if you can’t get through on the number above
email us on: mthembusi@unizulu.ac.za
Message us on our Facebook Page (Unizulu Science Centre)
Contact us through our website: sciencecentre.unizulu.ac.za

We look forward to welcoming you for an enriching and unforgettable experience!

For school bookings and more information contact the Science Centre on:

I Have A Warrior's Heart, But I Am Not Unmoved By Your Words

I put the brains and brawn together and now look at me. Best of both worlds.

The only way to know how strong you are is to keep testing your limits

BOOKINGS

Come Explore the wonders of Science With Us

Organizing a Visit: UNIZULU SCIENCE CENTRE – 2025

REMEMBER FEBRUARY VISITS ARE FREE! (For one group per school)

Sasol Foundation | Coding and Robotics For Rural children