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Agriculture

• Ant – Ants are social insects of the family Formicidae , belonging to the order Hymenoptera alongside bees and wasps. With over 20,000 described species , ants...
• Avocado – Avocados ( Persea americana ) are nutrient-dense fruits grown on tall trees native to Mexico. South Africa has become a major avocado producer , with ideal...
• Bananas – Bananas ( Musa species ) are the world's most widely consumed fruit , ranking fourth in global food production behind rice, wheat, and corn. These...
• Bee – Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, belonging to the order Hymenoptera . With over 20,000 known species , bees are found on every...
• Bird – Birds are some of the most active and interesting animals on any farm. The Pigeon (or Dove) is a gentle, smooth-feathered bird often kept on farms. Pigeons...
• Butterfly – Butterflies are winged insects belonging to the order Lepidoptera , which they share with moths. There are approximately 20,000 known species of butterfly,...
• Cabbage – Cabbage ( Brassica oleracea ) is a leafy vegetable that forms a tight, round head of overlapping leaves. In South Africa , cabbage is one of our most...
• Carrots – Carrots ( Daucus carota ) are root vegetables that store energy underground in a long, colourful taproot. In South Africa, carrots thrive in cool climates...
• Cattle – Cattle (Bos taurus) are livestock animals that are commonly raised for their meat, for milk (from cows) and for their hides which are used to make leather...
• Centipede / Millepede – Centipedes are fast-moving, carnivorous arthropods belonging to the class Chilopoda . Despite their name suggesting 100 legs, centipedes can have anywhere...
• Cherries – Imagine biting into a juicy, sweet cherry straight from the tree. That burst of flavour comes from careful science and dedicated teamwork . In South Africa,...
• Chicken – Head stationary despite body movement Chicken Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) are domesticated birds that are kept as livestock. Humans consume chicken...
• Cocoa – The Amazing Plant and How It Grows Cocoa comes from a small tree called Theobroma cacao, meaning "food of the gods." It grows in warm, rainy places like...
• Cotton – Did you know that the T-shirt you're wearing right now probably started its life as a fluffy white plant? That plant is cotton ! Cotton is a soft, fluffy...
• Crow – Have you ever seen a big, shiny black bird strutting around the farm or flying over the fields? That's the Crow! Crows are large, intelligent birds that are...
• Donkey – Have you ever seen a strong, patient animal with big ears and a calm personality working hard on a farm? That's the Donkey! Donkeys ( Equus asinus ) have...
• Duck – Have you ever seen a bird with a waddling walk, webbed feet , and a loud "quack"? That's a duck! Ducks are water-loving birds commonly found on South...
• Fly – Flies belong to the order Diptera , meaning "two wings" , and represent one of the largest insect orders with over 160,000 known species . They are found in...
• Frog – Have you ever heard loud croaking near a farm dam or pond at night? That's the sound of a frog! Frogs are amphibians — animals that live both in water and...
• Goat – Have you ever watched a curious animal climbing rocks or eating almost anything in sight? That's a goat! Goats are tough, clever, and adventurous farm...
• Grapes – Grapes ( Vitis species ) are climbing vines that produce clusters of sweet, juicy berries . South Africa ranks among the world's leading grape producers ,...
• Grasshopper – Grasshoppers are herbivorous insects belonging to the order Orthoptera , found on every continent except Antarctica . They are recognised by their powerful...
• Insects – Insects are small air-breathing arthropods (such as ants, beetles, butterflies, bees) with a three-part body (head, thorax and abdomen), three pairs of...
• Irrigation – Irrigation is the application of controlled amounts of water to land for the purpose of agricultural production. Adequate irrigation will influence the...
• Lettuce – Lettuce ( Lactuca sativa ) is a leafy vegetable that forms crisp, cool heads or loose leaves. In South Africa, it's grown in cool areas like the Western...
• Lizard – Have you ever spotted a quick, sun-loving creature darting across the rocks or walls on a farm? That's a lizard! Lizards are small reptiles that are very...
• Maize – Maize (Zea mays) also commonly known as corn, is an essential part of the diets of people all over the world. It can be cooked, ground into a flour and it...
• Mantis – Mantises are predatory insects belonging to the order Mantodea , with over 2,400 species found across tropical and temperate regions worldwide. They are...
• Nematology – Nematodes , also known as roundworms and eelworms, are one of the most diverse and abundant groups of animals on earth. They are found on every continent...
• Olives – Olives (Olea europaea) are fruit from olive trees that originated in the Mediterranean region. Olives have been grown by humans as a food source since 3 000...
• Onions – Onions ( Allium cepa ) are bulb vegetables — swollen underground storage organs full of layers that store food and water for the plant. In South Africa,...
• Oranges – Oranges grow on Citrus sinensis trees, which thrive in warm, sunny climates such as those in South Africa , Spain , and parts of the United States like...
• Orchard – Crops are plant or plant products that are grown deliberately. Food crops, such as fruit and vegetables, are harvested for human consumption. Grains, such...
• Papaya – Papaya ( Carica papaya ) is a fast-growing fruit tree that loves warm, sunny climates — especially in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal . A single...
• Peaches – Peaches come from the Prunus persica tree, a stone fruit native to China but thriving in South Africa's sunny orchards , especially in the Western Cape ....
• Peanuts – Peanuts ( Arachis hypogaea ) are legumes — plants in the same family as beans and peas! They grow underground in pods, which is why they're sometimes called...
• Pig – Have you ever seen a smart, pink animal with a curly tail and a big snout rooting around in the mud? That's a pig! Pigs are highly intelligent farm animals....
• Pineapples – Pineapples are actually a multiple fruit — they form when many small berries grow together and fuse into one amazing tropical package! In South Africa, the...
• Plants – Plants form one of the six big groups or kingdoms of living things. They have complex cells, make their own food and, usually, they cannot move (except for...
• Potatoes – Potatoes ( Solanum tuberosum ) are stem tubers — swollen underground stems that store energy for the plant. They're one of South Africa's most important...
• Sheep – Have you ever seen a fluffy white animal grazing quietly in a field? That's a sheep! Sheep are one of the most common farm animals in South Africa. They are...
• Soil – Soil is the loose surface material consisting of inorganic particles, organic matter, water and air that covers most of the land surface. Soil retains...
• Spider – A sac spider , Cheiracanthium species, that can be found on different crops. Photograph by Peter Webb.
• Spinach – Spinach ( Spinacia oleracea ) is a leafy vegetable packed with power — it's full of iron , vitamin A, vitamin C, and folate, which help your blood, eyes,...
• Sunflower – Sunflowers ( Helianthus annuus ) are tall, bright yellow flowers with huge heads that follow the sun across the sky — a behaviour called heliotropism . In...
• Tomatoes – Tomatoes ( Solanum lycopersicum ) are technically fruits because they develop from the flower and contain seeds — yet in cooking and in South African...
• Wheat – Wheat (Triticum) is a type of grass that has edible seeds called cereal grains. Wheat is a staple food item for people all over the world and is the second...

Animal World

• African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) – The handsome black-and-white African Penguin is endemic to mainland Africa and is the continent’s only breeding penguin species. This flightless bird feeds...
• Elephant – Elephants , the largest land animals , roam Africa and Asia in forests, grasslands, and savannas. Their long trunks act like hands, noses, and tools, used...
• Lion – Lions , often called the "kings of the jungle" , are majestic big cats that roam the grasslands and savannas of Africa. They live in groups called prides ,...
• Polar Bear – Polar bears , the giants of the Arctic , thrive on sea ice and snowy landscapes. Their white fur and thick blubber keep them warm in freezing temperatures,...
• Tiger – Tigers are the largest wild cats in the world, living in forests , swamps , and grasslands across Asia. Their orange coats with bold black stripes make them...

Body

• Five Basic Senses – Humans have five basic senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. The sensory organs (skin, eyes, ears, nose and tongue) send information to the brain...
• Human Digestive System – Your digestive system turns the food you eat into nutrients, which the body uses for energy, growth and cell repair. The digestion process starts in your...
• Human Muscles – Muscles are a type of soft tissue found in humans and most animals. Muscles allow us to consciously move our limbs so we can jump in the air, chew our food...
• Human Nervous System – The nervous system is a sophisticated collection of nerves and specialised cells called neurons that transmit signals between different parts of the body....
• Human Skeleton – The skeletal system includes all the bones and joints in the body. Each bone is a complex living organ made up of many cells, protein fibres, and minerals....
• Kidneys – Human kidneys are vital organs responsible for filtering waste products and excess fluids from the bloodstream to produce urine. Each person has two...
• Liver – The human liver is a vital organ with multiple functions essential for maintaining overall health and well-being . It is the largest internal organ in the...
• Lungs – Human lungs are remarkable organs responsible for the crucial task of breathing, which provides oxygen to the body's cells and removes carbon dioxide , a...
• The Ear – The ear is the organ that enables hearing and, in mammals, body balance using the vestibular system. In mammals, the ear is usually described as having...
• The Eye – The eye is a fused two-piece unit, The anterior (front) segment is made up of the cornea, iris and lens. The cornea is transparent and more curved, and is...
• The Heart – The heart is an organ that pumps blood throughout the body via the circulatory system, supplying oxygen and nutrients to muscles and tissues and removing...

Car

• Braking System – A good braking system is essential for stopping your vehicle. Pressing the brake pedal , which is attached via levers to the master cylinder , applies...
• Car Aircon System – The air conditioning system operates similarly to a refrigerator, using a compressor and a refrigerant gas to remove heat from the air inside the car and...
• Car Exhaust System – The exhaust system is the piping and devices that the burnt gases from the engine travel through before discharging into fresh air. Depending on the system...
• Internal Combustion Engine – The typical car engine shown here is a 4-stroke petrol engine . The chemical energy from burning petrol causes an explosion inside the engine that forces a...
• Steering System – A steering system is required to allow the driver to aim the vehicle in the direction of travel by turning the front wheels . The steering wheel in the car...

Construction

• Building Design – Building design refers to the broadly based architectural, engineering and technical applications to the design of buildings. All building projects require...
• Building Structure – This is the exciting stage of actually constructing the new building. The plans for the building would have been drawn up by an architect with the help of...

Energy

• Coal Fired Power Station – Coal-fired power stations produce electricity by burning coal, to boil water, to produce high pressure steam, to drive a turbine, connected to a generator...
• Hydro Power – Hydropower , or hydroelectricity , is generated from the energy of flowing water. For water to flow requires a slope like a river or pressure from deep...
• Nuclear Power – Nuclear power stations produce electricity using the heat from a nuclear reaction, to boil water, to produce high pressure steam, to drive a turbine,...
• Overland Power Transmission and the Electricity Grid – Have you ever wondered how the lights turn on in your home or how your TV gets power? It all starts from a power station and travels through the electricity...
• Photovoltaic Energy – Photovoltaics (PV) are special semiconducting materials that convert light into electricity. They have gained in popularity as their efficiency and...
• Wind Turbines – Wind turbines produce electricity from the energy of the wind. Quite simply the wind turns a propeller, which spins a generator that creates electricity....

Factory

• Aerospace Parts Manufacturing – Four steps make up the construction of an airplane. Engineers must first plan and design the airplane before doing anything else. CAD software simulations...
• Eggs – Eggs are a versatile and nutritious food that are consumed all over the world. They are a rich source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, and can be...
• Electronic Component Manufacturing – The design stage of the manufacture of electronics comes first. Engineers design the plans for the apparatus. They must consider the intended application of...
• Flour – Flour is a fine powder made by grinding grains, seeds, or roots. It’s a key ingredient in many foods, like bread, cakes, and pasta. People have used flour...
• Food and Beverage Manufacturing – A bottling line is a collection of manufacturing devices that collaborate to bottle liquids or drinks. These lines may be found in beverage-making...
• Industry 4.0 – As a result of growing interconnectedness and intelligent automation, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as Industry 4.0, theorizes rapid change...
• Juice – Juice is typically made by extracting the liquid from fruits or vegetables using a juicer or blender. The production of juice typically involves several...
• Meat – Manufacturing The meat manufacturing process, from farm to table, involves several key stages. First, livestock such as cattle, goats, or chickens are...
• Milk – Milk is a highly nutritious beverage that is consumed by millions of people worldwide. It is produced by mammals, such as cows, goats, and sheep, and is...
• Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing – The chassis frame is raised by robotic arms, and the body shell is then bolted to it. At the end of the manufacturing process, the body and chassis...
• Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing – Due to the individualized nature of a patient's prescription, the capsules must be produced individually from those intended for other patients. Each...
• Storage – The logistics chain is a complicated process with many phases that must run without a mishap in order for the items to reach their destination quickly and...
• Textile Manufacturing – The clothes and textiles sector includes businesses that process raw wool, cotton, and flax to manufacture fabric. This holds true for all clothing,...
• Transportation – One of the most important economic operations within the manufacturing industry is transportation and logistics. Transport connects a business to its...

Hospital

• Consulting room – Consulting Rooms are where patients meet doctors. A variety of medical practitioners have consulting rooms. Some offer general care, and some have...
• Intensive Care Unit (ICU) – An intensive care unit in a hospital provides continuous monitoring of patients who are acutely unwell or injured and require critical medical care, special...
• Laboratory – Laboratories are where tests are conducted on medical samples taken from patients. These samples may include blood for analysis and human tissue for...
• MRI – Magnetic Resonance Imaging – MRI is a technique used in radiology to form pictures of the anatomy. MRI is used for medical diagnosis, staging and follow-up of disease without exposing...
• Operation Room (Surgery) – Surgery generally refers to operations on a human body, usually repairs, that involve working under the skin inside the body to investigate or to fix...
• Ultrasound – An ultrasound scan, also called sonography, is a medical practice that uses high-frequency sound waves to create live images from the inside of your body....
• X-Rays – X-rays are a particular type of radiation, electromagnetic waves, used to create pictures of the inside of your body. X-rays pass through your body and the...

House

• Appliances - Kettle – Most household electric kettles have a heating element inside or in the floor of the kettle. The element has an electrical resistance that causes it to get...
• Architecture – At its simplest, architecture is the design of buildings, groups of buildings and often the space between buildings. But the scope of architecture goes well...
• Bread – Bread is one of the oldest and most widely consumed foods in the world. It is a staple in many cultures and is made by combining flour, water, yeast, and...
• Cheese – Cheese is a delicious and popular food that has been enjoyed for centuries. It is made by coagulating milk and separating the curds from the whey. The curds...
• Electricity – A home electrical system is an intricate maze of wiring designed to deliver power from a local utility to your home safely and efficiently. Electricity has...
• Fridge – Have you ever wondered how your food stays fresh for days instead of going bad in a few hours? The answer is hiding in your kitchen — the fridge (or...
• From chocolate to packaged chocolate – After tempering, the warm, liquid chocolate gets poured into molds – bars, shapes, or ones with fillings like nuts. Machines vibrate the molds to pop out...
• From Pump Station to Home: The Journey of Water Pipes – Water is essential for life, and its journey from the source to your tap is made possible by a fascinating system of engineering. In South Africa, this...
• Fungi – Fungi are all around us, in the soil, our bodies and the air, but are often too small to be seen with the naked eye. There are 120,000 classified types of...
• House Plumbing – A home’s plumbing system is a network of pipes and devices that bring fresh water into the house, distribute hot and cold water throughout the house and...
• Microwave – Have you ever used a microwave to quickly heat up last night's leftovers or make popcorn in under three minutes ? This everyday kitchen appliance is...
• Milk – An experiment involving placing drops of food coloring on a shallow dish of whole milk, then adding a drop of dish soap.
• Smartphone – How many times a day do you pick up your smartphone ? This small device in your pocket is actually one of the most powerful pieces of technology ever...
• Solar energy – In a house, the sun’s energy is generally harnessed in two ways ; one to heat water, the other to create electricity from photovoltaic cells. Both reduce...
• Stand Mixer – Have you ever watched someone mix cake batter perfectly without getting tired ? That's the job of the stand mixer — one of the most helpful appliances in a...
• Stove / Oven – Have you ever watched someone bake a cake or cook a pot of pap and wondered how the kitchen appliance does all that magic? That's the stove and oven working...
• Television – How often do you sit down to watch your favourite shows, sports, or YouTube videos on the television ? This everyday screen is actually one of the most...
• Toaster – Have you ever popped a slice of bread into a toaster and watched it turn golden and crispy in just a few minutes? This simple kitchen appliance is actually...
• Vacuum Cleaner – Have you ever wondered how your home stays clean without sweeping the floor for hours ? The answer is the vacuum cleaner — one of the most useful inventions...
• Washing Machine – Have you ever wondered how your clothes get clean so quickly without hours of scrubbing by hand ? That's thanks to the washing machine — one of the most...
• Wi-Fi Router – Have you ever wondered how your phone, laptop, and TV can all connect to the internet at the same time without any wires? That magic is done by the Wi-Fi...

Mine

• Mine Conveyors – Mine Milling Conveyors Mine milling conveyors play a vital role in African mines by efficiently transporting mined ore for processing. These conveyors...
• Mine Cooling and Ventilation – Underground mine ventilation provides a flow of air to the underground workings of a mine of sufficient volume to dilute and remove dust and noxious gases...
• Mine Elution Plant – Mine elution plants are crucial in extracting precious metals like gold from ore in mines. These plants use a process called elution to remove metal ions...
• Mine Excavator – Mine Excavators Excavators in mines are powerful machines designed to dig, scoop, and move large quantities of earth and minerals. They play a crucial role...
• Mine Floatation Plant – Mine flotation plants are essential in mining operations across Africa. These plants use a process called flotation to separate valuable minerals like gold...
• Mine Haul Trucks – Haul trucks in mines are colossal vehicles designed to transport vast quantities of rocks, minerals, and ore from mining sites. These mammoth machines play...
• Mine Railway – Mine railways are vital in African mines, making transportation of minerals and materials efficient. These railways consist of tracks and specialized...
• Mine Reclaimers – Reclaimers in mines are vital machines used to efficiently recover valuable minerals and ores from stockpiles of mined materials. These enormous mechanical...
• Mine Scooptrams – Scooptrams are vital machines in mining operations, designed to excavate and transport rocks and ore underground. They're like heavy-duty, remote-controlled...
• Mine Shafts and Headgear – Mine shafts are essential structures in mining operations. They serve as vertical tunnels that allow miners to access underground resources like minerals...
• Mine Warehouse – Mine warehouses in Africa serve as crucial storage facilities within mines. They house essential equipment, tools, and supplies needed for mining...

Nature

• Basic Water Cycle – The natural water cycle is powered by the sun's energy and by gravity. The sun heats the Earth's surface water, making it evaporate. Gravity makes the...
• Clouds – The building blocks of clouds are water and particles of dust, dirt, or sea salt —known as cloud condensation nuclei. These nuclei are everywhere in the...
• Earth – Earth, our home planet, is a unique and vibrant world teeming with life. It is the third planet from the Sun and the only planet in our solar system known...
• Earthquakes – An earthquake is a sudden shake of the ground caused by seismic waves that pass through the crust of the Earth. The Earth’s crust is made of several huge...
• Geological Processes – Have you ever wondered why mountains are so tall, why rivers carve valleys, or why earthquakes shake the ground? These are all caused by geological...
• Geological Time – A graphical illustration of the relationship between Geological Time (Hadean at 4.5 Ga) and the Explosion of Life in the Cambrian 542 Ma (from Marshak, 2011...
• Igneous Rocks – Figure 2: Cross section showing the formation of both volcanic (extrusive) and plutonic (intrusive) igneous rocks (Nelson, G.B.,2023).
• Jupiter – Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, is a gas giant with a mesmerizing appearance and a host of fascinating features. It is the fifth planet...
• Lake – Lakes are large natural bodies of fresh water surrounded by land. The water flows in from mountain runoff, rivers, rain, snow and even from groundwater that...
• Landslides – A landslide is defined as the movement of a mass of rock, debris, earth, or soil down a slope. Landslides occur when the gravitational pull on a rock mass...
• Mars – Mars, often called the " Red Planet " due to its rusty hue, is a cold and barren world with a fascinating history. It is the fourth planet from the Sun and...
• Mercury – Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun, is a fascinating world of extremes. It's the smallest planet in our solar system, with a diameter just a bit larger...
• Metamorphic Rocks – Diagrams showing the formation of metamorphic rocks from both sedimentary and igneous types of rocks adapted from Earle (2019)
• Mountain – Mountains are rocky geological features on a landscape that are created through the tectonic movement of the surface of the earth or even through volcanic...
• Neptune – Neptune, the eighth and farthest planet from the Sun, is a frigid and distant world with a dynamic and turbulent atmosphere. It is the fourth largest planet...
• Our Galaxy – Our galaxy, known as the Milky Way, is a spectacular celestial phenomenon that enchants observers with its vastness and beauty. It spans an immense distance...
• Plate Tectonics – Different plates of the world Example of plate break-up or rifting Plate Tectonics Plate tectonics is a scientific theory that explains how the Earth’s...
• Rock Types – Rocks are all around us, making up the Earth’s crust, from the mountains we climb to the pebbles on the beach. In geology, rocks are grouped into three main...
• Saturn – Saturn, known for its majestic rings , is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest in our solar system. It is a gas giant like Jupiter, composed...
• Sedimentary Rocks – Sedimentary rocks are formed at or near the Earth’s surface by the accumulation and compaction of sediment or the precipitation from solution at normal...
• The Milky Way – The Milky Way, our home galaxy, is a vast and majestic cosmic structure that stretches across the night sky like a shimmering river of stars. Named for its...
• The Moon – The Moon, Earth's only natural satellite, is a fascinating and mysterious world that has captivated humans for thousands of years. It orbits around Earth at...
• The Rock Cycle – Rocks might seem like they never change, but they’re part of a slow, amazing process called the rock cycle. This is how rocks transform from one type to...
• The Sun – The Sun is the star at the centre of our Solar System. It is by far the most important source of energy for life on Earth. The interactions between the Sun...
• Uranus – Uranus, the seventh planet from the Sun, is an ice giant with a mysterious and enigmatic atmosphere. It is the third largest planet in our solar system and...
• Venus – Venus, often called Earth's " twin " due to its similar size and composition , is a mysterious and inhospitable world. It is the second planet from the Sun...
• Volcanoes – Volcanoes are fascinating natural phenomena that have captivated humans for centuries. They are formed when molten rock, known as magma, rises to the...

Plane

• Aeroplane cockpit – The cockpit is the cabin at the front of the plane where the pilot (and co-pilot) fly the plane. They are the only people with a forward-looking view and...
• Aeroplane Engine – Jet engine A turbojet engine is a gas turbine engine that works by compressing intake air with a multi-stage compressor (axial, centrifugal, or both),...
• Aeroplane fuselage – The fuselage is the main body of an aeroplane to which everything else is attached. It is a long hollow tube, made as light as possible, yet strong enough...
• Aeroplane landing gear – The landing gear of an aeroplane, also called the undercarriage, is a complex system consisting of structural members, hydraulics, energy absorption...
• Aeroplane wing – For a wing to work, it has to move through air to produce lift. A bird uses muscles, planes have engines – propellers or jet engines. Engines pull the plane...

Satellite

• Satellite – Satellites are man-made objects that are put into orbit around the earth to collect and/or relay information back to earth using radio waves. Early...

School

• Animal Biology (zoology) – Animal biology encompasses a vast array of topics that illuminate the intricacies of the animal kingdom, from the smallest insects to the largest mammals ....
• Atoms – Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter, forming the basis of everything in the universe, from the air we breathe to the stars in the sky. These...
• Cells – Cells are the fundamental units of life, serving as the building blocks of all living organisms. These microscopic structures exhibit remarkable complexity...
• Electricity circuits – A simple circuit serves as a fundamental building block in understanding electricity and electrical systems, encompassing circuit components , Ohm's law,...
• Energy: Potential and Kinetic – Energy in its various forms powers the workings of the universe, driving motion, change, and transformation. Energy has many diverse realms, including its...
• Photosynthesis – Photosynthesis is one of the most fundamental processes in nature, driving the conversion of light energy into chemical energy and supporting life on Earth....
• Plants (plant biodiversity /categorisation) – Plants are an integral component of our planet's ecosystem, playing a vital role in sustaining life as we know it. From the towering trees of the Amazon...
• Prism / Refraction – The prism stands as a marvel of optics, offering a gateway to explore the intricate behavior of light, the phenomenon of refraction, the mesmerizing...
• Telescope – Telescopes stand as humanity's windows to the cosmos, offering unparalleled glimpses into the vast expanse of space and the wonders it holds. This...
• Test tubes – Test tubes are iconic symbols of scientific inquiry , serving as vessels for conducting experiments, observing reactions, and analyzing substances in the...

Science

• African Cultural Artifacts – Have you ever seen beautiful masks, beaded jewellery, or carved wooden figures in a museum? These are African cultural artifacts — incredible objects made...
• Cave People – Have you ever wondered what life was like for humans thousands of years ago ? Long before houses, cars, or smartphones, early humans lived as cave people !...
• Dinosaur Eggs with Embryos – The embryos in the Bernard Price Institute collection of Karoo vertebrates at the Evolutionary Studies Institute of the University of the Witwatersrand....
• European Historical Relics – Have you ever seen a shiny metal helmet in a museum and wondered who wore it hundreds of years ago? These European historical relics, especially helmets,...
• Fossils – Have you ever found a rock that looked like a leaf, a shell, or even a bone from millions of years ago? That’s a fossil! Fossils are the preserved remains...
• Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias) – The Great white sharks are the largest known predatory fish and are probably South Africa's most famous shark family, playing a significant role at the top...
• Herbarium – Botanists on a field trip, collecting plant specimens in a herbarium press .
• Herpetology – Have you ever wondered who studies frogs, lizards, snakes, and other reptiles and amphibians ? That exciting job belongs to herpetologists — scientists who...
• Jets – Have you ever looked up at the sky and seen a plane flying incredibly fast, leaving a white trail behind it? That's probably a jet ! Jets are powerful...
• Locomotive Train – Have you ever heard the loud whistle and seen clouds of smoke from an old-fashioned train chugging along the tracks? That's the magic of the old steam train...
• Microscope – Have you ever wondered how scientists can see things that are too small for our eyes ? The answer is the microscope — one of the most important tools in...
• Robots – Have you ever watched a robot move, talk, or build something and thought, "That's so cool!" ? Robots are machines that can perform tasks automatically,...
• Sailboat – Have you ever looked at the ocean and imagined gliding across the water powered only by the wind ? That's the beauty of a sailboat ! A sailboat is a...
• Southern Right Whale – Hanging from the ceiling in the Marine Hall at Bayworld Museum in Gqeberha, is the 20 metre long, complete and articulated skeleton of a southern right...
• Steam Engine – Have you ever wondered what powered the very first trains, factories, and big ships before electricity and diesel ? The answer is the incredible steam...
• Tank – Have you ever seen a massive, heavily armoured vehicle with a big cannon rolling across the ground? That's a tank — one of the most powerful machines ever...
• Triceratops – Imagine coming face-to-face with a dinosaur the size of a large truck, with three sharp horns and a massive bony shield behind its head. That’s the...

Transport

• Arch Bridge – An arch bridge is one of the oldest types of bridges , with examples dating back to ancient civilizations . The arch bridge uses a curved, semi-circular...
• Bus – A bus is a large road vehicle designed to carry many passengers , typically along a fixed route on a regular timetable . Buses are the most widespread form...
• Cargo Ship – A container ship is a cargo vessel that transports goods in standardised intermodal containers — steel boxes (typically 20 or 40 feet long ) that can be...
• Helicopter – A helicopter is a rotary-wing aircraft that generates both lift and thrust through one or more spinning rotor blades . Unlike fixed-wing aircraft,...
• Lift Bridge – A lift bridge (or vertical-lift bridge ) is a type of movable bridge in which the bridge deck moves vertically upward to allow ships to pass beneath it. The...
• Opening Bridge – A bascule bridge (from the French word for "seesaw" ) is a type of movable bridge with one or two leaves that rotate upward on a horizontal axis . When a...
• Suspension Bridge – A suspension bridge is a type of bridge in which the deck (the load-bearing portion) is hung below suspension cables on vertical suspenders. The first...
• Swing Bridge – A swing bridge is a movable bridge that rotates horizontally around a central pivot point to open a waterway for passing ships and boats. When the bridge...
• Train – A high-speed train is a type of rail transport that operates significantly faster than traditional rail , typically exceeding 200 km/h (124 mph) in regular...

Maths Gr 7-9 classroom

• All about pi – Pi Day Around the world, maths fanatics celebrate Pi day every year. Pi day falls on 14 March, because π ≈ 3,14. Some people prefer to celebrate on 22 July,...
• Circumference of a circle – When the wheel has turned halfway around, it reaches a point 3 and a bit units along the number line. When the wheel has made a whole turn, it is double...
• Patterns and functions – Fractals: In 1982 Mandelbrot defined fractal as follows:"A fractal is a rough or fragmented geometric shape that can be split into parts, each of which is...
• Probability – Remember that while probabilities are great for estimating and forecasting , we can never tell what actually will happen. The more information we gather,...
• The Pythagoras Theorem – About Pythagoras Pythagoras of Samos (c. 570 – 495 BCE) was a Greek philosopher and mathematician. He is best known for proving Pythagoras’ Theorem but made...

Natural Sciences Gr 4-6 classroom

• Food pyramid – The food pyramid serves as a visual representation of dietary guidelines and healthy eating habits, guiding individuals towards a balanced and nutritious...
• Fossils – Fossils are windows into the distant past, offering tantalizing glimpses of ancient worlds and the creatures that once roamed the Earth . This captivating...
• Lunch Box – The humble lunch box is more than just a container for food— it's a cornerstone of nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and sustainability . In today's...
• Phases of the moon – The phases of the Moon captivate human imagination, embodying the rhythmic dance of celestial mechanics and the timeless allure of the night sky, including...
• Rock (geology) – Rocks are the solid foundation of Earth's crust, serving as geological time capsules that bear witness to the processes and events that have shaped our...
• States of matter – Plasma represents the fourth state of matter, characterized by ionized particles and the presence of free electrons. It is typically formed at high...
• Vase – The vase stands as an enduring symbol of artistic expression , cultural heritage, and human creativity, offering a window into the rich tapestry of art...
• Wire toy car – The wire toy car represents a marvel of engineering and technology, combining simplicity with ingenuity to create a fun and educational play experience for...

Periodic table Gr 4-6

• Aluminium – Aluminium, a lightweight and versatile metal, holds a prominent place in various STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines,...
• Calcium – Calcium holds a significant place in the realm of chemistry and everyday life. It is classified as an alkaline earth metal and is represented by the symbol...
• Carbon – Carbon, a humble yet extraordinary element, is a cornerstone of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, playing a multitude of...
• Copper – Copper is a remarkable metal that has played a vital role in human civilisation for thousands of years. It is one of the first metals discovered and used by...
• Gold – Gold, often associated with treasure and luxury, also plays a crucial role in the fascinating world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and...
• Magnesium – Magnesium is a fascinating element that holds great importance in both nature and human biology. It is the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust...
• Mercury – Mercury, the element, is a fascinating substance with unique properties and a rich history of use dating back thousands of years. It is the only metal that...
• Nitrogen – Nitrogen is an essential element that plays a fundamental role in the balance of life on Earth. It is the most abundant gas in the Earth's atmosphere,...
• Oxygen – Oxygen, the life-sustaining gas we breathe, is a vital element across various STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines. In...
• Palladium – Palladium, a lesser-known but incredibly valuable metal, holds a significant place in the realm of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)....
• The Periodic Table – As early as 1669, naturalists began to discover individual elements. By 1809, at least 47 were known, and by the mid-1800’s, naturalists were attempting to...

Physical Sciences Gr 10-12 classroom

• Bunsen burner – The Bunsen burner stands as an indispensable tool in laboratory settings , facilitating experiments, demonstrations, and research across various scientific...
• Diagrammatic vectors – Diagrammatic vectors offer a visual representation of quantities that have both magnitude and direction, playing a fundamental role in fields such as...
• Kinetic spring (energy) – The kinetic spring is a fascinating embodiment of elasticity and wave motion , representing a dynamic interplay of physical principles that govern the...
• Magnetic fields – Plasma represents the fourth state of matter, characterized by ionized particles and the presence of free electrons. It is typically formed at high...
• Newton's balls (Newton's cradle) – Newton's balls, also known as Newton's cradle , is a captivating demonstration of momentum, collisions, and energy conservation , showcasing fundamental...
• Skateboard physics – Skateboarding is not just a sport; it's a dynamic interplay of physics principles that govern motion, balance, and performance on a wheeled platform. This...

Teacher guides and curriculum outlines

Lesson guides and curriculum outlines in the STEMulator classrooms.

Curriculum outline - Maths

• Grade 7 Data Handling – Grade 7: Data Handling Collect, organize and summarize data: - Collect data - Organize and summarize data Represent data: - Represent data Interpret,...
• Grade 7 Measurement – - Surface area and volume - Calculations and solving problems
• Grade 7 Numbers, Operations and Relationships – - Mental calculations - Ordering and comparing whole numbers - Properties of whole numbers - Calculations using whole numbers - Calculation techniques -...
• Grade 7 Patterns, Functions and Algebra – Grade 7: Patterns, Functions and Algebra Numeric and geometric patterns: - Investigate and extend patterns Functions and relationships: - Input and output...
• Grade 7 Space and shape – - Classifying 2D shapes - Similar and congruent 2D shapes - Solving problems
• Grade 8 Data Handling – Grade 8: Data Handling Collect, organize and summarize data: - Collect data - Organize and summarize data Represent data: - Represent data Interpret,...
• Grade 8 Measurement – - Surface area and volume - Calculations and solving problems
• Grade 8 Numbers, Operations and Relationships – - Mental calculations - Ordering and comparing whole numbers - Properties of whole numbers - Calculations using whole numbers - Calculation techniques -...
• Grade 8 Patterns, Functions and Algebra – - Algebraic language - Expand and simplify algebraic expressions
• Grade 8 Space and shape – - Classifying 2D shapes - Similar and congruent 2D shapes - Solving problems
• Grade 9 Data Handling – Grade 9: Data Handling Collect, organize and summarize data: - Collect data - Organize and summarize data Represent data: - Represent data Interpret,...
• Grade 9 Measurement – Grade 9: Measurement Area and perimeter of 2D shapes: - Area and perimeter Surface area and volume of 3D objects: - Surface area and volume The Theorem of...
• Grade 9 Numbers, Operations and Relationships – - Properties of numbers - Calculations using whole numbers - Calculation techniques - Multiples and factors - Solving problems
• Grade 9 Patterns, Functions and Algebra – - Algebraic language - Expand and simplify algebraic expressions - Factorize algebraic expressions
• Grade 9 Space and shape – - Classifying 2D shapes - Similar and congruent triangles - Solving problems

Curriculum outline - Natural Sciences

• Grade 7 Energy and Change Curriculum – - Potential energy - Kinetic energy - Potential and kinetic energy in systems - Law of conservation of energy
• Grade 7 Life and Living Curriculum – - The concept of the bioshpere - Requirements for sustaining life
• Grade 7 Matter and Materials Curriculum – - Physical properties of materials - Impact on the environment
• Grade 7 Planet Earth and Beyond Curriculum – - Solar energy and the Earth's seasons - Solar energy and life on Earth - Stored solar energy
• Grade 8 Energy and Change Curriculum – - Circuits and current electricity - Components of a circuit - Effects of an electric current
• Grade 8 Life and Living Curriculum – - Introduction to ecology - Ecosystems - Feeding relationships - Energy flow: Food chains and food webs - Balance in an ecosystem - Adaptations -...
• Grade 8 Matter and Materials Curriculum – - Atoms - building blocks of matter - Sub atomic particles - Pure substances - Elements - Compounds - Mixtures of elements and compounds
• Grade 8 Planet Earth and Beyond Curriculum – - The Sun - Objects around the Sun - Earth's position in the Solar System
• Grade 9 Energy and Change Curriculum – - Types of forces - Contact forces - Field forces (non-contact forces)
• Grade 9 Life and Living Curriculum – - Cell structure - Differences between plant and animal cells - Cells in tissues, organs and systems
• Grade 9 Matter and Materials Curriculum – - Chemical equations to represent reactions - Balanced equations
• Grade 9 Planet Earth and Beyond Curriculum – - Extracting ores - Refining minerals - Mining in South Africa

Curriculum outline - Natural Sciences & Technology

• Grade 4 Energy and Change Curriculum – Grade 4: Energy and Change Curriculum Energy and Energy Transfer: - Energy for life - Energy from the Sun Energy Around Us: - Energy - Input and output...
• Grade 4 Life and Living Curriculum – Grade 4: Life and Living Curriculum Living and Non-living Things: - Living things - Non-living things Structure of Plants and Animals: - Structure of plants...
• Grade 4 Matter and Materials Curriculum – - Solids, liquids and gases - Change of state - The water cycle
• Grade 4 Planet Earth and Beyond Curriculum – Grade 4: Planet Earth and Beyond Curriculum Planet Earth: - Features of the Earth - Earth and space The Sun: - Our closest star The Earth and the Sun: -...
• Grade 4 Structures Curriculum – Grade 4: Structures Curriculum Structures for Animal Shelters: - Animal shelters Strengthening Materials: - Ways to strengthen materials Strong Frame...
• Grade 4 Systems and Control Curriculum – Grade 4: Systems and Control Curriculum Movement and Energy in a System: - Movement and musical instruments Rocket Systems: - Modelling a...
• Grade 5 Energy and Change Curriculum – - Cells and batteries - Mains electricity - Safety with electricity
• Grade 5 Life and Living Curriculum – - Many different plants and animals - Inter-dependence - Animal types
• Grade 5 Matter and Materials Curriculum – Grade 5: Matter and Materials Curriculum Metals and Non-metals: - Properties of metals - Properties of non-metals Uses of Metals: - Other properties of...
• Grade 5 Planet Earth and Beyond Curriculum – - Fossils in rock - Body and trace fossils - Importance of South African fossils
• Grade 5 Structures Curriculum – Grade 5: Structures Curriculum Skeletons as Structures: - Frame and shell...
• Grade 5 Systems and Control Curriculum – Grade 5: Systems and Control Curriculum Systems for Moving Things: - Wheels and...
• Grade 6 Energy and Change Curriculum – - Fossil fuels and electricity - Cost of electricity - Illegal connections
• Grade 6 Life and Living Curriculum – - Different ecosystems - Living and non-living things in ecosystems - Food Webs
• Grade 6 Matter and Materials Curriculum – - Solutions - Soluble substances - Saturated solutions - Insoluble substances
• Grade 6 Planet Earth and Beyond Curriculum – Grade 6: Planet Earth and Beyond Curriculum The Solar System: - The Sun, planets and asteroids - Moons Movement of the Earth and the Planets: - Rotation...
• Grade 6 Processing Curriculum – Grade 6: Processing Curriculum Food Processing: - Need for processing food - Methods for processing food Processes to Purify Water: - Clean...
• Grade 6 Systems and Control Curriculum – Grade 6: Systems and Control Curriculum Systems to Solve Problems: - Using electric circuits Systems to Explore the Moon and Mars: - Vehicles used on the...

Curriculum outline - Physical Sciences

• Grade 10 Chemical Change Curriculum – - Separation by physical means - Separation by chemical means - Conservation of atoms and mass - Law of constant composition
• Grade 10 Electricity and Magnetism Curriculum – - Magnetic field of permanent magnets - Poles of permanent magnets - Attraction and repulsion - Magnetic field lines - Earth’s magnetic field - Compass
• Grade 10 Matter and Materials Curriculum – - Materials - Heterogeneous and homogeneous mixtures - Pure substances - Names and formulas - Metals and non-metals - Electrical and thermal conductors and...
• Grade 10 Mechanics Curriculum – - Reference frame - Position - Displacement and distance - Average speed - Average velocity - Acceleration - Instantaneous velocity - Instantaneous speed
• Grade 10 Waves, Sound and Light Curriculum – - On a spring - Wavelength - Frequency - Amplitude - Period - Wave speed - Sound waves
• Grade 11 Chemical Change Curriculum – - Molar volume of gases - Concentration - Limiting reagents - Volume relationships in gaseous reactions
• Grade 11 Chemical Systems Curriculum – Grade 11: Chemical Systems Curriculum Lithosphere: - Mining - Energy...
• Grade 11 Electricity and Magnetism Curriculum – - Magnetic field associated with current-carrying wires - Faraday’s Law
• Grade 11 Matter and Materials Curriculum – - A chemical bond - Molecular shape - Electronegativity and bond polarity - Bond energy and bond length
• Grade 11 Mechanics Curriculum – - Resultant of perpendicular vectors - Resolution of a vector into its parallel and perpendicular components
• Grade 11 Waves, Sound and Light Curriculum – - Refraction - Snell’s Law - Critical angles and total internal reflection
• Grade 12 Chemical Change Curriculum – - Factors affecting rate - Measuring rate - Mechanism of reaction and of catalysis
• Grade 12 Chemical Systems Curriculum – Grade 12: Chemical Systems Curriculum Chemical Industry: - Fertilizer...
• Grade 12 Electricity and Magnetism Curriculum – - Electrical machines (generators, motors) - Alternating current
• Grade 12 Matter and Materials Curriculum – - Functional groups - Saturated and unsaturated structures - Isomers - Naming and formulae - Physical properties - Chemical reactions (substitution,...
• Grade 12 Mechanics Curriculum – - Momentum - Newton’s second law expressed in terms of momentum - Conservation of momentum and elastic and inelastic collisions - Impulse
• Grade 12 Waves, Sound and Light Curriculum – - With sound and ultrasound - With light - red shifts in the universe

Teacher guide - Maths

• Grade 7: Numeric and geometric patterns – Investigate and extend patterns Investigate and extend numeric and geometric patterns looking for relationships between numbers including patterns:
• Grade 7: Probability – Perform simple experiments where the possible outcomes are equally likely and:
• Grade 8: Area and perimeter (Circles) – The Grade 7 to 9 school classroom for Mathematics on the STEMulator provides you and your learners with some ways to investigate the properties of the...
• Grade 8: Area and perimeter (The number pi) – The Grade 7 to 9 school classroom for Mathematics on the STEMulator gives you a window into the irrational numbers, with a focus on pi ( π ). Numbers are...
• Grade 8: Numeric and geometric patterns – Investigate and extend patterns Investigate and extend numeric and geometric patterns looking for relationships between numbers including patterns:
• Grade 8: Probability – Consider a simple situation (with equally likely outcomes) that can be described using probability and:
• Grade 8: The Theorem of Pythagoras – Example of solving problems using the Theorem of Pythagoras (Grade 8):
• Grade 9: Numeric and geometric patterns – Investigate and extend patterns Investigate and extend numeric and geometric patterns looking for relationships between numbers including patterns:
• Grade 9: Probability – Relative frequency If you toss a coin (this is the event ) 20 times, you can expect it to land on heads about 50% of the time, right? Wrong! Try this...
• Grade 9: Properties of numbers – Describe the real number system by recognising, defining and distinguishing properties of:
• Grade 9: The Theorem of Pythagoras – Example of solving problems using the Theorem of Pythagoras (Grade 8):

Teacher guide - Natural Sciences

• Grade 7: Biodiversity – The STEMulator has many opportunities to explore biodiversity and classification.
• Grade 7: Introduction to the Periodic Table of Elements – The STEMulator brings you an interactive Periodic Table of Elements, based on the school tile, in the Grade 7 – 9 Natural Sciences classroom. The elements...
• Grade 7: Renewable and non-renewable sources of energy – The STEMulator has interesting information about the types of energy sources located on the Energy tile. You can visit the coal power station, the nuclear...
• Grade 8: Atoms – [Note: a glowing splint is used to test for the presence of oxygen gas. It re-lights in oxygen gas]
• Grade 8: The Solar System – The STEMulator brings the Sun and the planets orbiting it alive for your learners! We discuss the heat and light, the magnetic fields around the sun, the...
• Grade 9: Compounds – Briefly review and revise concepts dealt with in Grade 8, focusing on compounds
• Grade 9: Energy and the national electricity grid – researching about alternative sources of energy that can be used to drive generators for the national grid. Compare them in terms of sustainability and...
• Grade 9: Systems in the human body – [Note: The intention of this topic is to provide learners with an overview of the structure and functions of organs and systems in the human body]

Teacher guide - Natural Sciences & Technology

• Grade 4: Energy and change – Use the STEMulator to see how soundwaves transmit sound to our ears. To find the Body tile on the STEMulator, look for a person standing alone in the park...
• Grade 4: Materials around us – The STEMulator has a powerful demonstration of the water cycle on the Nature tile, with clear definitions provided of the important terms we use:
• Grade 5: Animal skeletons – The STEMulator displays a number of skeletons and shows how they work. On the Science tile, go to the museum to investigate the enormous skeletons of a...
• Grade 5: Fossils – The Museum on the Science tile of the STEMulator has a room with a fossil page to explore.
• Grade 5: Plants and animals on earth – Plants and animals on earth Many different plants and animals • there are many different plants and animals living in different habitats on Earth * (South...
• Grade 5: Systems and control – On the STEMulator, the car and the aeroplane both hav; vertical-align: top;" valign="top">
• Grade 6: Food Processing – Click on the Olive picture to see how olives are harvested, where they grow and how olives are processed to make olive oil. [olive picture from STEMulator]
• Grade 6: Mains: Electricity – The tile on the STEMulator provides The STEMulator explains and demonstrates a range of energy sources on the Energy tile. You can visit the coal power...

Teacher guide - Physical Sciences

• Grade 10: Periodic Table – The position of the elements in the periodic table related to their electronic arrangements
• Grade 10: The hydrosphere – The hydrosphere consists of the earth’s water. It is found as liquid water (both surface and underground), ice (polar ice, icebergs, and ice in frozen soil...
• Grade 11: Vectors in two dimensions – Resolution of a vector into its horizontal and vertical components