Click here to watch this video!I am a Scientist is an exciting educational enrichment programme for primary school children that aims to bridge the opportunity gap and promote equitable science outcomes in South Africa. Through virtual and in-person programmes, children discover the wonder of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) in the world all around them, and are inspired by local STEM experts and authentic materials. I am a Scientist brings the excitement of STEM to South African children of different backgrounds, ages and abilities - creating a more diverse future workforce by showing every child that she or he can become a scientist!Programmes like these in disadvantaged communities may help bridge opportunity gaps in science education. Research shows that racial and gender disparities are reflected in the unequal visibility of South Africans in STEM fields. In 2017, Marina Joubert and Lars Guenther reported in the South African Journal of Science that 78% of South Africa’s most visible scientists are white, despite the fact that white South Africans make up only 8% of the country’s population. A full 63% of the most visible scientists are white men. This might lead to devastating misconceptions among South African children about who can and should pursue science and STEM careers. “Promoting equity in science and STEM in South Africa means changing mind-sets, fighting racial and gender biases, and challenging stereotypes that limit children’s professional goals,” said Gretchen Wilson-Prangley, CEO of Play Africa. “We’ve designed this programme to show every child that she or he has a right to science, science education and science literacy. We want to unlock new possibilities for children traditionally excluded from, and under-represented in, STEM fields.”Play Africa’s “I am a Scientist” programme is made possible by a grant from 3M, a science, technology and manufacturing company based in St. Paul, MN, USA. 3M recently announced a new global, education-focused goal to advance economic equity by creating five million unique STEM and skilled trades learning experiences for underrepresented individuals by the end of 2025.  Naresh Sanjith, 3M Country Leader South Africa & Sub Saharan Africa, is championing the partnership and says, “Looking at the impact this project has the potential to make around the country, 3M is fully supportive of this effort. With so many communities isolated and in need of developing new skills, Play Africa & 3M can help meet a critical demand in underserved communities that have little or no access to literacy resources – a situation made even more dire in the wake of COVID-19.” “Our partnership with Play Africa on their “I am a Scientist” programme represents another step towards advancing Science Technology Engineering & Maths [STEM] opportunities for children and students in Soweto and the greater Johannesburg. It also signifies the commitment we both share in fostering global citizenship and help improving lives around the world.”“I am a Scientist” has received additional support from Rand Merchant Bank and Constitution Hill.“Together with our partners, we’re helping children learn that they can be changemakers,” said Wilson-Prangley. “Children are full citizens in our society, and we’re helping them learn skills today to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. We want children to know that science is all around them, wherever they are, and that a lifelong passion for science can be ignited anywhere.”

CLICK HERE to see this videoPlay Africa has joined Goethe-Institut Johannesburg to host the Science Film Festival and to inspire the African scientists of tomorrow! See how we're opening new pathways to science by running a dynamic, fun and inclusive STEM programme for more than 300 children in Johannesburg’s inner city.As a dynamic African children's museum, we know that not every child can come to us -- especially during an era of COVID. See how our flexible, responsive cultural institution brings learning to children where they are... inspiring a new generation of scientists through accessible, engaging film screenings and related play-based learning activities. The world is on the brink of scientific and technical revolutions. We empower South Africa's children through age-appropriate STEM activities starting from birth through age 10. Every child deserves the wonder and awe of science!Videography by Eugene AlbertsPlay Africa is a dynamic, growing and agile children’s museum in Johannesburg, South Africa. We empower and equip all children and families for the future through #play, #creativity, #innovation & #connection.

CLICK HERE to watch this videoWe’re a growing, agile children’s museum in Johannesburg, South Africa. We empower and equip all children and families for the future through #play, #creativity, #innovation & #connection.In October, more than 350 children in Johannesburg’s inner city participated in a dynamic #STEM learning that aims to be accessible, entertaining and fun. The Science Film Festival aims to inspire a new generation of scientists through film screenings and related play-based learning activities. Taking place at 13 different locations over 8 weeks, it brought the wonder and awe of scientific subjects directly to children in their own classrooms and communities. Play Africa, a children’s museum based at Constitution Hill, used the film screenings and related activities to promote science literacy and build awareness of scientific, technical and environmental issues through films and hands-on educational activities. “To help create the South African scientists of tomorrow, we are making science fun and accessible to all children,” said Play Africa programme manager Mpho Tsele. “Through Play Africa’s partnership with the Science Film Festival, we are showing children that they don’t need a lab coat to be a scientist. Science is all around us. It’s in the colours of the rainbow, it’s in how our food grows, it’s in the water we drink and how we recycle. ” Since its inception by the Goethe-Institut Thailand in 2005, the Science Film Festival has become one of the biggest film festivals worldwide, with over 1 million visitors. It is organized in each country by the Goethe-Institut in close cooperation with local partners.  “The Science Film Festival presents scientific issues in an accessible and entertaining way to a broad audience and demonstrates that science can be fun for children from all ages,” said Dr. Nadine Siegert, Head of Culture and Development at the Goethe-Institut South Africa. “Through the festival, we are continuing our work in the field of science education as we did with the I am Science project from 2016-2019. We are very happy to have found a project partner in Play Africa who is as enthusiastic about children’s education as we are.” The programme received additional support from Rand Merchant Bank, Constitution Hill and Care for Education. This year’s theme is the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were created to be a “shared vision of humanity and a social contract between the world's leaders and the people.” The ambitious goals to fix climate change, end poverty and fight inequality and injustice were designed to motivate citizens, not just policy-makers. “Play Africa wants all children to know they can be changemakers,” said Play Africa CEO Gretchen Wilson-Prangley. “We see children as full citizens in our society, who are learning the skills today to tackle the challenges of tomorrow. We want all children to know they can play a role, however small, in responding to the Sustainable Development Goals.”  This is the second year that Play Africa has partnered with the Goethe-Institut South Africa to bring the Science Film Festival to children in Johannesburg. Wilson-Prangley said the team had to get creative in an era of COVID-19. “Last year, we welcomed children and families at public screenings at Constitution Hill,” Wilson-Prangley said. “This year, due to COVID-19, we’ve developed an innovative solution by partnering with inner-city housing companies, so we can offer relevant, meaningful STEM education experiences to children in high-rise apartment buildings. We want children to know that science is all around them, wherever they are, and that a lifelong passion for science can be ignited anywhere.”For more information about this programme, contact info (at) playafrica {dot} org [dot] za.

WATCH THE VIDEO (2017)Play Africa is a small children's museum based at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, South Africa. Watch how Play Africa brings together children and families from diverse backgrounds and abilities for shared, equitable creative learning through play. From STEM learning to arts programmes, Play Africa gives every child the opportunity to explore a range of curated exhibit spaces in the former prison courtyards of Constitution Hill. Parents are important partners in children's engagement, spending special time forming bonds of attachment and discovering new opportunities for growth. Through its work, Play Africa fosters social cohesion and nurtures a sense of belonging in all children and families.This video features its collaboration with Johannesburg-based businesses, creating opportunities for employee volunteers to make an impact in education.

WATCH THE VIDEO.April 2018RMB showcases Play Africa, a small, community-connected children’s museum based at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, which partnered with Gauteng Department of Education to launch a first-of-its-kind sensory play exhibit for children with autism. This video, taken at Gateway School in Ruimsig, Gauteng, features images of the custom-built sensory wall, along with interviews from MEC Panyaza Lesufi, autism specialists, parents and Play Africa team members about the project, created to foster social inclusion and acceptance of children with disabilities.

WATCH THE VIDEOThis video features Play Africa's partnership with two no-fee government schools, Pohopedi Primary and Mfundo-Mtoti Primary, in Poortjie, Orange Farm, about 45 km south of Johannesburg's city centre. Play Africa equips children and families for the future through child-led programmes that promote creativity and innovation. It empowers parents and teachers with playful learning approaches that bring global thinking to classrooms and communities. As a children's museum, Play Africa pioneers equitable public spaces for high-quality early learning in South Africa. In six years of successful operations, it has become a globally-acclaimed platform to foster social inclusion and bring families together through play-based learning. Play Africa is grateful to founding partner Rand Merchant Bank for supporting its work to promote creative, critical thinking and a growth mindset among South Africa's children. This partnership in Orange Farm was made possible through support from Discovery Vitality, Care for Education and the Gauteng Department of Education.

WATCH THE VIDEOBridges of Peace is an original Play Africa program designed to strengthen social inclusion of refugees, asylum- seekers and other migrant communities through facilitated workshops and exhibits that promote empathy and compassion. For South Africa’s democracy to thrive in future generations, children need to learn to live, play, learn and work alongside one another with tolerance and peace. This begins by nurturing a shared sense of belonging and affirming the values of the Constitution and the rule of law.Play Africa is a growing, agile children’s museum in Johannesburg, South Africa. We empower and equip all children and families for the future through play, creativity, innovation and connection. Based at the iconic Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, South Africa., Play Africa creates a society that honours children and champions their rights, celebrating imagination and encouraging experimentation, innovation and problem-solving. Its hands-on play areas encourage children to test their independence and gain confidence in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths), the arts, self-expression and civic engagement. Through this exhibit and facilitated programmes, Play Africa aims to:1. FOSTER EMPATHY AND UBUNTU THROUGH DIALOGUE AND PLAYExplore concepts of inclusion, diversity, empathy and ubuntuBuild awareness about xenophobia and its consequencesInvite learners to build on these themes through Play Africa's original, child-centred learning environment designed to develop emotional awareness and to encourage interpersonal connection2. CELEBRATE THE RICH DIVERSITY OF CULTURES IN SOUTH AFRICAShare examples of the importance of ubuntu and human connection as a way to address xenophobia or misdirected hate towards othersReinforce the right of every child and every person to live in peace in our Constitutional democracyEncourage personal expression on diversity and inclusion3. INSPIRE CHILDREN TO BECOME CRITICAL THINKERSEmpower children to become self-directed learners through development of five key areas: creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration and new competencies.As in all our programmes, we capture qualitative and quantitative data to ensure we successfully deliver on our objectives.CONTEXTXenophobia and intolerance of refugees and asylum seekers remains a serious challenge in urban Johannesburg, despite South Africa’s many strides towards a more democratic, rights-based society. Refugees and asylum seekers face violence, intimidation and fear – as evidenced by the recent uptick in attacks in early 2019. The basic human rights of refugees and asylum seekers are routinely violated by host country staff within South African institutions, including schools, hospitals, police and other services. By virtue of their age, children remain the most vulnerable members of migrant communities. This is compounded by high incidences of family poverty, violence, social exclusion, neglect, and poor education on children’s rights within urban Johannesburg. Laws protect all children, but in practice many of the country’s migrant and refugee children, like host-country children, still lack basic protections, much less a chance to learn through play in safe, inclusive and equitable environments.

WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS VIDEOHow do we build resilience in our children? How can we as parents support their emotional well-being?Join Play Africa, Johannesburg's children's museum, for this important conversation with Wits University Department of Social Work senior lecturer Dr Ajwang' Warria, clinical psychologist Ruth Ancer and psychologist and author Paul Bushell. This conversation on Facebook Live was moderated by Play Africa play and learning supervisor Mpho Tsele. This is a safe space designed to support you as parents!About Play Africa ConnectsPlay Africa Connects is a series of unique online dialogues for South Africans to connect with compassion through technology, created in response to the COVID-19 crisis, in partnership with Goethe-Institut Johannesburg. Additional support is provided by Rand Merchant Bank. Play Africa Connects provides a unique, non-judgmental space for all families -- including families in vulnerable communities -- to share ideas about how to cope with disruption and uncertainty.Play Africa (playafrica.org.za) is a growing, agile children’s museum in Johannesburg, South Africa. We equip all children and families for the future through play, creativity, innovation and connection.

WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS VIDEOJoin Play Africa for a discussion with Basheera Surty of Diketo - Inclusive Education and Vicky Lamb of Autism South Africa. This conversation on Facebook Live was moderated by Play Africa play and learning supervisor Mpho Tsele. Audience members were invited to comment and ask questions. This is a safe space designed to support you as parents!About Play Africa ConnectsPlay Africa Connects is a series of unique online dialogues for South Africans to connect with compassion through technology, created in response to the COVID-19 crisis, in partnership with the Goethe-Institut Johannesburg. Play Africa Connects provides a unique, non-judgmental community space for all families -- including for vulnerable communities -- to share ideas about how to cope with disruption and uncertainty.Play Africa is a growing, agile children’s museum in Johannesburg, South Africa. We equip children and families for the future through play, creativity, innovation & connection.

WATCH THE VIDEOHow can we empower children to learn about the Constitution and rule of law? How can we give children insight into career possibilities as children learn about different roles in the judicial system?Play Africa, a children’s museum based at Constitution Hill, launched its new Children’s Court, an interactive exhibit that uses play to introduce children to South Africa’s judicial system. The Children’s Courtroom nurtures children’s own concepts of themselves and their rights as secured in South Africa’s Constitution. Through facilitated play and dialogue, the programme strengthens children’s rights by introducing all children to the core values of the Constitution, the rule of law, and different ways they can make their voices heard in a democratic society.  “We’ve created an exciting new learning environment that will ignite new career possibilities in the minds of children, while instilling core principles of the Constitution and the rule of law,” said Play Africa founder and CEO Gretchen Wilson-Prangley. "Despite South Africa’s strides towards a democratic, rights-based society, the reality is that children’s rights are routinely violated, and children remain the most vulnerable members of our society. Our Children’s Courtroom is a safe space where children can learn how to make their voices heard in a court of law, so South Africa’s democracy can thrive in future generations."  “We are excited to partner with Play Africa in this important work. Exposing children to the justice system and teaching them about the rights and duties of citizens is an investment in their future success and that of our country as a whole,” said Fatima Laher, head of Pro Bono at Bowmans, a leading African law firm, which provided funding for the manufacture of the exhibit.  Retired Constitutional Court Justice Edwin Cameron was the guest speaker at the event. He delivered remarks on the Constitution and children’s rights. Constitutional Court Justice Zukisa Tshiqi cut the ribbon formally launching the child-scale exhibit, made of stainless steel and wood. Its several components – from the judge’s bench to the witness box – are designed to be fully modular, so it can be set up temporarily in other settings. “Play Africa would like this exhibit to become a powerful resource for outreach programmes and for other child advocacy organisations working in South Africa,” said Wilson-Prangley. Play Africa is a pioneering “children's museum” based at the iconic Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, South Africa, a former prison complex that is now seat of South Africa’s Constitutional Court. Situated inside the Old Fort, Play Africa operates in the courtyards just 15 metres from the cell where former President Nelson Mandela was once incarcerated. As a cultural institution, its exhibits and programmes are designed to stimulate imagination, experimentation, innovation and problem-solving in children, as well as their families and educators. “Constitution Hill is proud to be the home of Play Africa and stands behind it’s initiatives and programs,” said Dawn Robertson, CEO of Constitution Hill Development Company. “The greatest significance is that we are able to encourage community participation thus supporting the growth and development of children in the inner city for the foreseeable future.”