8ta Maths and science initiative popular among students

8ta launched the maths and science initiative, Educ8, to help disadvantaged grade 12 learners to better prepare for their final year examinations this coming October.

With only five weeks into the initiative, Educ8 has proved to be very popular with seats being sold out already.

The revision sessions started running at SterKinekor cinemas nationwide from Sunday 31 July and will end on Sunday 2 October 2011.

“The overwhelming response proves that there is a hunger for learners to excel in maths and science. 8ta will continue to identify projects that afford us the opportunity to make a real difference in our communities,” said Stephen Blewett, 8ta Executive Marketing and Sales.

The sessions currently assist over 4000 learners every Sunday. Organisers are expecting to help an additional 9 000 learners with maths and 15 000 learners with science. The aim is to help 30 000 learners in total.

The “theatre of learning concept” engage learners in an entertaining and educational networking opportunity. Subject experts are also available at each movie theatre to assist and answer questions from the learners.  Each revision session is filmed from a single venue and broadcasted simultaneously to 15 digitised Ster Kinekor theatres nationwide.

Other partners in the initiative include BHP Billiton SA, SABC, Samsung SA and Primestars (project implementers).

Learners receive course bags, stationary and refreshments from 8ta as well as a comprehensive summary of study notes.

The educators in this EduC8 program are Jacques du Plessis (Mathematics) and Phillip Joubert (Science). Jacques is currently the subject head for the B-Ed Mathematics Education program at the University of the Witwatersrand, and Phillip is the Head of Department for Science at St Benedicts College in Bedfordview.