About LRS

Introduction

LRS is based upon these challenges that high school learners are to be trained to become researcher right at that tender age. Therefore, an existing Learner Research Summit (LRS) project hosted by CSET and CLAW needs to be expanded to provide a structure through which many high school learners in Gauteng Province can demonstrate mastery of research-based project, and research presentation skills that is driven by their own interest in a topic. This allows them to work within the same parameters as experienced researchers. While the projects can assess the learners’ knowledge of content, concepts and skills, the level of depth and complexity to which they have understood them, it also allows learners to think deeply and analytically and to question a topic which has particular resonance and meaning for them.

The methodology which will be used to achieve this will include, investigating important ideas and questions, writing up their research findings, compiling the research process and publishing a reviewed in an annual LRS publication document and presenting the research to the audience work at annual LRS summit. These methodologies will be applied to selected schools in Gauteng Province (Pretoria, Atteridgeville, Soweto and Florida).

CSET and CLAW Background

The College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) and the College of Law (CLAW) at UNISA are the responsive, enabling and accessible provider of Open Distance Learning programmes in Africa. CSET and CLAW support the community engagement goals and strategies of UNISA.  To focus its Community Engagement activities while ensuring consistency with UNISA’s goals and strategies, CSET and CLAW have established three flagship projects that capture the essence of its vision of being responsive, enabling and accessible. These flagships engage high school learners in research projects to equip learners with research skills. These research projects are designed to raise the learners’ awareness and understanding of science as well as entice learners into science, engineering and technology through research to help them overcome the fear of these subjects which form the foundation for higher studies in the scientific fields.

Beneficiaries or Target Group

The project previously targeted secondary school learners (Grade 9 to Grade 12). These learners were drawn from the previously disadvantage groups and from underdeveloped schools in Atteridgeville and its surroundings in Pretoria. The expansion of the project aims to incorporate schools in Soweto and Florida.

Area of Operation

The project has 15 schools already in existence with 170 learners from Pretoria Vicinity. The expansion will include 10 additional schools (4 school from Florida and 6 schools from Soweto). These additional schools are purposefully selected because of their historical background and their geographical location which is close to CSET. Again these schools do not have science or technology laboratories which are very vital for the learning and conducting research in Science, Engineering and Technology. The total number of learners from the 10 new schools will be 160 learners.