The Wonderful World of Sci-Enza

In the heart of the Natural and Agricultural Faculty of University of Pretoria lies SciEnza, an interactive science center that prides itself on a “hands-on” experience when it comes to learning science. Since its launch in 1977, it has been operating for a total of 46 years and asserts itself as the oldest interactive Science Center on the African continent. Many of us know the name, but not the history of this institution and what is has to offer. With mirror mazes, chemistry experiments and a Camera Obscura that is enough to make even the most stoic of students excited, Sci-Enza opens it’s doors for UP once again.

On December 10, 2020, Sci-Enza released an article as a tribute to Lȍtz Strauss, the mind behind the centre. According to the tribute, Strauss was appointed as a mere technical assistant in the Department of Physics at the university, only to be given the position of lecturer a year later. Afterward, he obtained a MSc and PhD in nuclear physics at the university. A speedy promotion was warranted. This ‘no-nonsense man”, taught introductory physics sending thousands of students toward their degrees. He even published two textbooks during his career here.

According to Puleng Tsie, the Sci-Enza manager, it all started when Strauss visited America. “When he was there, he visited the San Francisco Exploratorium. He loved the idea of hands-on science,” she said. When he came back, he was determined to establish UP’s very own science centre. With a team of students, the inauguration of Strauss’s idea began. “They started to incorporate school learners and holiday programs for staff members. Just like that it grew, and it was called The Exploratorium”.

From its inception, it was an informal setting situated in the NW 1 building, where the Camera Obscura still sits today. The centre got bigger, and before long it had to be relocated into the Technical Services building. A remodelling was underway, and after some issues surrounding the trademark of its name, Discovery was born. But according to Tsie, the name lacked a ring to it, hence the center was renamed Sci-Enza. It is a combination of “science” and “sebenza”, which is isiZulu for “work” or “to do”. “It’s a nice evolution of a centre actually,” said Tsie, “it explained itself much better within an African context.”

The journey to being a renowned science centre was a tumultuous one, especially with Covid-19 that preyed on institutions. The centre had no choice but to close in 2020. With the many outreach programs Sci-Enza hosts and the hundreds of visitors they receive, it is understandable why they had to close. Pulang comments that bouncing back from the ramifications of Covid was especially hard, “When you are closed for a long time, you must reintroduce yourself and build back up again.”

When walking into Sci-Enza as a young school learner you are greeted with a world of wonders; from frogs that are split open, to mirrors that supposedly defy the laws of gravity. There seems to be no end to the fast world of science. “The idea is to fit as many sciences as we can in this building.” said Puleng, “We want to showcase the diversity of science. It’s everywhere.” Puleng says pursuing an interest in the sciences can be very daunting. She reasons people have a misconception that the sciences are reserved for only selected individuals. She hopes that by illustrating the most basic concepts, through puzzles and games, it will emphasize the fact that big, complicated topics often come from small beginnings.

It is without a doubt that Stauss’s vision came to fruition. “Every time we hear of students telling us that Sci-Enza sparked their interest in the sciences, we get super excited.” said Puleng . “We get so little time with anybody that walks through the centre. When we have their attention, the idea is to “light that bulb” and make them wonder about the world they are in.” When people leave, staff members of Sci-Enza never really know whether they made an impact, but when school children come back years later wearing their UP-student cards, they are delighted. “We live for those moments,” said Puleng.

When you’re visiting Sci-Enza, stop by the mirror maze and make a fool out of yourself. Go take a look at the creepy “whisper mirrors” and discover the history of parabolic sound radars. If you have the time, also visit the Camera Obscura on top of the NW 1 building, where you can see the entirety of Pretoria if the weather permits it. There is no better time to unleash your childlike wonder than now.