Crestway High School Students Experience Chemistry First-Hand

On Thursday, 24 July 2025, the UCT Department of Chemistry hosted 18 learners from Crestway High School in Retreat for a hands-on laboratory experience. The visit was coordinated by Dr Samantha Douman, who welcomed the group and gave an inspiring introductory talk highlighting careers in chemistry. The event followed a request from Professor Jonathan Jansen, a distinguished professor of education at Stellenbosch University, who teaches chemistry at Crestway as part of a broader effort to revive the school’s science programme.

The day’s focus was on introducing students to acid–base titrations. After a health and safety briefing by Monique Muller and Sophie Rees-Jones, the learners took to the benches under the guidance of Claire Lawrence-Naidoo and Laa-iqa Rylands, who demonstrated proper laboratory techniques and glassware handling. Thanks go to Abduraghman Gamieldien and first-year laboratory assistants Jonathan McKarthy and Joey Paulse for preparing the workstations, and to Dr Dalielah Jappie for compiling the practical instructions.

The enthusiasm and engagement of the learners were evident throughout the session. Initiatives like this not only ignite curiosity but also contribute to meaningful transformation in science education.