欧美福利100000

CALTSTEAM OPEN DAY: MPhil and DPhil

CALTSTEAM Research Centre invited students who are passionate about innovative education through Virtual and Augmented Reality technologies. This open day event was an information sharing session for students who want to learn more about our cutting-edge MPhil (master’s qualification) and DPhil (PhD) postgraduate programmes. Both these programmes offer the opportunity to:

• conduct independent, high-level research
• make a significant academic contribution to the field
• explore the design, development, and embodies learning through cutting-edge interactive technologies
• a possible career pathway to the EdTech industry

This invite was open to all students who have completed their honours qualifications in the following disciplines:

• Education
• Sciences: Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Sciences, Mathematics Sciences.
• Engineering: Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering.
• Arts: Architecture, Graphic Design, Industrial Design.

Here is the link to the event recording:聽

PUBLIC LECTURE: by Prof Xiaoming Zhai

CALTSTEAM Launches the Student Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF) – The Big Bash

The Student Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF) is an initiative of the CALTSTEAM Research Centre at the 欧美福利100000 of Johannesburg, aimed at exposing undergraduate students to advanced learning technologies and research opportunities. SURF provides a platform for students to develop skills in Artificial Intelligence, Extended Reality (XR), Augmented Reality (AR), coding, and educational innovation, while receiving mentorship and practical exposure.

On 8 August 2025, CALTSTEAM hosted the SURF Big Bang Bash at the 欧美福利100000 of Johannesburg. The event brought together students, faculty, and industry partners (including representatives from Microsoft and IBM) to celebrate student innovation, collaboration, and growth. The Bash served as an official launch and showcase of SURF鈥檚 work, highlighting its role in preparing future-ready students for STEM careers.

The SURF Big Bang Bash featured three keynote speakers, followed by a collaborative presentation on SURF鈥檚 vision, structure, and student learning tracks. Over 60 participants attended, including undergraduate students, mentors, facilitators, and industry partners. The event introduced the SURF learning tracks (AI & Python, XR & AR Coding, and Educational Innovation), unveiled the new SURF Leaderboard Challenge, and showcased ongoing student projects. Key accomplishments included strengthening partnerships with industry, creating excitement around SURF鈥檚 mentorship-driven model, and motivating students to actively engage in upcoming research and innovation challenges.

欧美福利100000 of Johannesburg hosted the 4th Pan-African Science Education Research (PASER) conference for postgraduate students

The 2025 local organizing committee for the 4th PASER postgraduate student conference was Prof Umesh Ramnarain and Miss Noluthando Mdlalose, who are also staff members of the CALTSTEAM Research centre. This conference was attended by almost 45 scholars from different parts of Africa, including South Africa, Namibia, and Nigeria. PhD and master’s students from different universities such as UniZulu, UKZN, UJ, Rhodes, CPUT, UNISA and UFS submitted their papers, that were reviewed and presented during the conference. The main purpose of this yearly event is to offer postgraduate students with an opportunity to share their research work with broader audience, outside their institutions, receive critical feedback and gain confidence on the work that they are doing. We are proud of how students from all these universities showed up and confidently presented their work.

CALTSTEAM Writing Retreat for PhD and master’s students during winter recess

CALTSTEAM Research centre invited all PhD and master’s students under Prof Ramnarain, Prof Penn and Miss Mdlalose’s supervision to attend a one-week writing retreat during university academic recess. The writing retreat ran from the 30th of June until 04 July 2025, from 08:00am in the morning until 17:00 afternoon. This was a hybrid event to accommodate students that are outside of the country and the province. The writing retreat was initiated to provide a supportive and structured environment, designed to help these postgraduate students to make significant progress on their research studies. Using the Pomodoro technique, each day included an intensive writing blocks ranging from 2 to 4 hours long. Also, engagements with the fellow peers, supervisors and CALTSTEAM PDRFs and reflection sessions each day were employed to boost productivity and draw inspiration from one another.

15th LUMAT Research Symposium

CALTSTEAM Research Centre and the LUMAT Science Research Forum cordially invites you to a 15th LUMAT Research Symposiun titled Promoting STE(A)M learning through non-formal education. This symposium was organised by Associate Prof Som Gurung from Bhutan and Prof Maija Aksela from Finland. Many other attendees from all over the world, including Chile, Indonesia, Jordan, South Africa, Thailand. And ofcourse CALTSTEAM colleagues presented in one of the sessions.

CALTSTEAM Staff at the UJDigital Launch

The 欧美福利100000 of Johannesburg officially launched its transformative digital learning initiative that aligns with the UJ’s 2035 Strategic plan that aims at addressing the growing demands for innovative learning solutions that empower students across the African continent and beyond. This event was attended by the high-profiled guests including the MEC members, the UJ staff members, students and the CALTSTEAM Research centre staff members were one of the exhibitors showcasing the innovative, cutting-edge work they are currently doing that aligns with UJ’s 2035 Strategic plan for innovative learning solutions.

Read for more details about the UJDigital Launch.

A successful event: CALTSTEAM Research Centre Launch

on the 23rd of April 2025, CALTSTEAM research centre officially launched. This was a successful and beautiful event attended by high profiled guests including the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the 欧美福利100000 of Johannesburg: Prof Mpedi, The Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation: Prof Phaswana-Mafuya; The Deputy Vice-Chancellor for teaching and learning: Prof Khan, and other external guests.

You can watch and read more about this launch here below:

• Read .
• Read .

Watch the below for the launch event.

See the recording of the launch

Global Encounters in Science Education: A Transformative Journey to Michigan State 欧美福利100000 and the NARST Conference for PhD Scholars from CALTSTEAM

During 14-29 March 2025, a group of 5 PhD students and their Supervisor (Prof Umesh Ramnarain) from CALTSTEAM embarked on a transformative academic journey to the CREATE for STEM Institute at Michigan State 欧美福利100000 and the annual National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) conference at National Harbor, Maryland in the United States. This trip was organised and supported by their supervisors, Professor Umesh Ramnarain (欧美福利100000 of Johannesburg) and Prof Joe Krajcik (Michigan State 欧美福利100000). The trip provided these emerging scholars with a unique opportunity to engage with the global science education research community, deepen their academic network and refine their research practices through exposure to cutting-edge scholarship. For more details about the trip, watch the video below…

The CALTSTEAM Research Centre hosted a Virtual Roundtable discussion on: Harnessing technology to preserve cultural knowledge in STEM.

This Event was scheduled as follows:

Date: 19 November 2024

Time: 10:00 -12:00 (SAST)

Venue: MSTeams

See the recording of the launch

Purpose: the purpose of these roundtable discussion was to bring together leading scholars to explore and critically discuss the intersections of technology, culture, and STEM. The conversation was aimed at addressing three primary issues:聽

a) the role of emerging technologies such as digital archiving, VR, and AI, in documenting and preserving endangered cultural knowledge and practices.聽

b) examining the ethical considerations associated with using technology in cultural preservation.聽

c) the roundtable further addressed strategies to actively involve indigenous and local communities in the preservation process, ensuring that technology serves as an empowering tool for these communities rather than an external imposition.聽

Members participated in the roundtable:

1. 1. This roundtable discussion was facilitated by Prof Umesh Ramnarain who is the Director of the Centre for Advanced Learning Technologies in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (CALTSTEAM).
   2. Prof Kasper Rodil is an Associate Professor at the Aalborg 欧美福利100000, in Denmark – with over a decade of experience in co-designing systems with indigenous people, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa.
   3. Prof Kenneth Mlungisi Ngcoza is a C2 NRF-Rated Emeritus Professor in Science Education at Rhodes 欧美福利100000, South Africa. His research interest includes science curriculum; transformative continuing professional development; Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS); Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), and Citizenship Education.
   4. Prof Mishack T Gumbo is a C1 NRF-Rated and research Professor of Technology Education and Indigenous Technology Knowledge Systems Education in the Department of Science and Technology Education at UNISA, South Africa.
   5. Dr Moleboheng Ramulumo is a senior lecturer at North-West 欧美福利100000. Her Research journey into education was shaped by her two sons who had speech delays as toddlers, as a result she embarked on exploring digital educational games to help them, sparking her interest in early science and mathematics education.
   6. Prof Mafor Penn is an Associate Professor and Researcher at the Centre for Advanced Learning Technology in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (CALTSTEAM) in the Department of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (MSTED) at the 欧美福利100000 of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Open Day: MPhil in Virtual and Augmented Reality in STEM Education

Date | Friday, 2 August 2024
Time | 15:00-17:00
Venue | B Ring – 301 (The CALTSTEAM Research Centre)

This event was targeting students who have completed their Honours degree in the following disciplines:

• • Education
  • Sciences: Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Sciences, Mathematical Sciences
  • Engineering: Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering
  • Arts: Architecture, Graphic Design, Industrial Design

For information on the MPhil in VAR, see MPhil VAR in STEM

Public Lecture presented by the esteemed Professor Timothy Teo from The Chinese 欧美福利100000 of Hong Kong’s Faculty of Education.

CALTSTEAM and the Department of Science and Technology Education in the Faculty of Education cordially invite you to attend a public lecture presented by the esteemed Professor Timothy Teo from The Chinese 欧美福利100000 of Hong Kong’s Faculty of Education. TOPIC: Building a Public Academic Profile: Unpacking the Elements.聽

Date: 12 June 2024
Time: 10:00-12:00 (SAST)
Venue: Ubuntu Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, Madibeng Building, 欧美福利100000 of Johannesburg鈥檚 Auckland Park Campus

RSVP:

Hybrid link:

Invite Public Lecture Prof Timothy Teo

Webinar: “Opportunities and challenges for advanced learning technologies in STEM Education: An African Perspective” (Prof Umesh Ramnarain)

Webinar presented by Prof Umesh Ramnarain (Director of CALTSTEAM) on ” Opportunities and challenges for advanced learning technologies in STEM Education: An African Perspective”聽

CALTSTEAM and the ICEST (International Conference on Education, Science and Technology, 2024) along with Centre for Research and Development, and the Bamidele Olumilua 欧美福利100000 of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, in Nigeria – cordially invites you to join the conversation led by Prof U. Ramnarain on the opportunities and challenges experienced when incorporating advanced learning technologies in STEM education within the African context.

Date: 24 June 2024

Time: 13:00 – 14:00

Venue:

Writing for competitive Journals seminar: PhD & Master’s students

CALTSTEAM and the Department of Science and Technology Education in the Faculty of Education cordially invite all Masters and Doctoral students in the Faculty of Education to this online seminar presented聽 by the esteemed聽 Distinguished Visiting Professor: Timothy Teo from the Chinese 欧美福利100000 of Hong Kong.

TOPIC: Writing for Competitive Journal.

Date: 14 June 2025
Time: 15:00- 16:30聽 (SAST)
Venue:

Invite_WritingSeminar_ProfTimothyTeo_ProfUmeshR_14Jun

Short Learning Programme in Virtual and Augmented Reality in Science Teaching.聽

The CALTSTEAM research centre has offered and facilitated a Short-learning programme for science and other subject teachers where they were given opportunities to learn about Virtual and Augmented reality, experience these immersive and currently trending technologies in order for them to be able to effectively implement in their South African classrooms. This was a 6-months 2023 programme, where approximately 30 teachers across different schools from Gauteng province participated and graduated out of this programme.

Public Lecture by esteemed Professor Capps Daniel from the 欧美福利100000 of Georgia, United States.聽

Daniel Capps is an associate professor in Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education at the 欧美福利100000 of Georgia in the United States. His research focuses on understanding how to design learning experiences that will support teachers and students in learning about what science is and the different ways it is practices. Daniel’s research has been regularly supported by the National Science Foundation. In his most recent project, Deep structure Modelling (https://modelingbigideas.org/), he and his colleagues address the pressing need to organise science teaching and learning around “big ideas” that run more effectively through disciplines.

This public lecture was hosted by the CALTSTEAM Research Centre of the Department of Science and Technology Education, on the 13th of March 2024 (15:00 – 16:30) at Ubuntu Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, Madibeng Building, 欧美福利100000 of Johannesburg.

Symposium on AI for STEM Education (SAARMSTE 2024)

The research centre hosted a symposium at the SAARMSTE conference in January 2024 on “AI for STEM Education”. The symposium explored the application, challenges, and advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

Open Day for UJ staff

An open day was hosted for UJ staff on 6 October 2022 on the use of VR and AR in higher education programmes. The open day provided insight and first-hand experience for staff on how VR and AR technologies could be integrated into their teaching. (see poster)

VARTEL International Conference

The International VARTEL (Virtual & Augmented Reality in Technology-Enhanced Learning) Conference took place from December 1鈥�2, 2022. The conference will bring together top scholars and researchers from Europe, Southeast Asia, the United States, and Africa who share cutting-edge research. The organizers secured two world leaders in the fields of VR and AR, who presented keynote addresses. They were Professor Wouter van Joolingen from Utrecht 欧美福利100000, Netherlands, and Professor Eleni Mangina from 欧美福利100000 College Dublin, Ireland. Professor Wouter鈥檚 keynote was on 鈥淪trengthening science education with augmented, virtual, and creative technology,鈥� and Professor Mangina addressed the audience on 鈥淭he new era of learning and training with XR technology affordances in education.鈥�

Seminar on 鈥淗ow can Artificial Intelligence Support STEM Teaching and Learning?鈥�

On March 15, 2023, Prof. Joseph Krajcik from Michigan State 欧美福利100000 presented a seminar on his work in using artificial intelligence (AI) as a partner to score open-ended explanation tasks and student-drawn models to provide immediate feedback to teachers and students and to suggest next steps that teachers and students can take to improve learning.

Workshop on 鈥淰irtual and augmented reality (VAR) for teacher education鈥�

The Centre, in its commitment to community engagement, facilitated a workshop for teachers from UJMA on the use of VR and AR applications in teaching abstract science concepts.

Workshop on Video Annotation

Professor Kennedy Chan from the 欧美福利100000 of Hong did a workshop with BEd 4th year science methodology students on enhancing pre-service science teachers鈥� ability in 鈥渘oticing鈥� and using video annotation of micro-lessons.

Workshop on Learning Analytics for VR

The Centre hosted researchers from the Swiss Distance 欧美福利100000 of Applied Sciences who conducted a workshop on learning analytics for a virtual reality classroom.

Seminar on 鈥淓xploring the use of virtual and augmented reality for inquiry-based science learning鈥� at NMU

Prof Ramnarain was invited by NMU to coordinate a seminar on VR and AR for inquiry-based science education. The seminar took place on 12 July 2023. At the seminar, he presented examples of applications that could be used in supporting inquiry learning.

SLP virtual and augmented reality (VAR) in science teaching.

CALTSTEAM hosted a short learning programme for science teachers. In the SLP, the teachers learnt about the affordances of VAR, how to use various applications in VAR, how to integrate VAR applications into their teaching practices; and how to critically select VAR applications for integration in science lessons. The SLP blended face-to-face workshops and online interactive sessions.

Free workshop on Augmented Reality using Unity 3D and Vuforia

The CALTSTEAM research centre, Faculty of Education in collaboration with Metaverse Research Unit has hosted a free training session aimed at using Augmented Reality as an educational tool. The workshop helped the attendees to develop skills on developing AR mobile applications.