Falling Walls Falling Walls Science Summit 2023

Breaking the Wall of How a Scientist Should Look Like

Justin Yarrow, Mandisi Heshu , Justin Yarrow

Science Engagement

SuperScientists is drawing living ~40 scientists in Africa as the superheroes they are and making trading cards and other materials that teach about science and the people behind it. We want learners to see scientists’ superpowers – catch a single virus and read its genome! – and that they are real people that look like them. When we ask learners to name a scientist it’s Einstein or no one. SuperScientists speaks a language kids understand, promotes Black and women scientists and is fun.

Tags: Climate change, Diversity, Education, Engineering, Environment & Nature, Gender, Green Tech, Med-Tech, Ocean pollution, Science Communication, Space & the Universe, Trust in science.

Justin Yarrow, Mandisi Heshu

CodeMakers

With an early interest in science, Justin studied zoology at a University. He learned about Drosophila development and was hooked. Justin completed a PhD in cell biology, studying cell migration. However, science was too far removed from social issues. He worked in South Africa during the height of HIV and eventually worked on national programmes with the DOH. CodeMakers was started in 2015 in the hope of giving young people the wonder that comes from science and understand how things work.

Mandisi has a background in theatre. He and his family have been involved in the National Arts Festival in Makhanda (Grahamstown) for years, before he joined the SuperScientists project at CodeMakers.

Justin Yarrow

CodeMakers NPO

Justin is scientist by training who left research for more practical and hands on application of science in the world. He is a scientist by training and started our NPO to spread the joy and wonderment of science.

Further Activities to have a look at