On Wednesday 22 March, the Graeme College grade 12 physical science learners were warmly welcomed onto the Rhodes campus. The day started with an informative tour around the buildings, a peek into the new Biotechnology water testing facility, followed by the opportunity to put the young scientists’ theoretical organic chemistry knowledge into practice by making esters in the first year chemistry lab. We are so grateful to Mrs Sewry from the Chemistry department for inviting us onto campus and allowing us this exciting hands-on experience. It was incredibly beneficial to see (and smell!) the process outside of the pages of a textbook. On the way home, we were kindly invited into the solid state physics lab where we learnt about some of the sophisticated equipment used in the department and the questions that can start to be answered using this technology. A huge thanks to Mr Youthed for sharing his enthusiasm and expertise with us.

Congratulations to the following pupils who have been selected to attend the Science Internship Programme:

• Sideeq Flannegan
• Samuel Hockly
• Makabongwe Mancam
• Ali Mehdi Rizu

A Science Internship programme is available to schools within Makhanda at Rhodes University, in partnership with South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB). The objective of this programme is to enhance the quality of pupils at high school level. It is also to boost excellence within tertiary education, in order to form responsible, motivated, internationally competitive scientists. This is done by instilling enthusiasm and awareness for Science in young learners.