{
  "id": 6745288,
  "title": "UJ urges high school learners to pursue careers in STEAM",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/uj-urges-high-school-learners-to-pursue-careers-in-steam",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-11T09:47:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ITWeb",
    "slug": "itweb",
    "url": "https://www.itweb.co.za/article/uj-urges-high-school-learners-to-pursue-careers-in-steam/dgp45qaBQXXvX9l8"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Moira De Roche, VP of the International Federation for Information Processing, explains that a lack of understanding of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) among educators hinders students' interest in pursuing careers in these fields. To address this, she urges educators, schools and stakeholders to enhance their knowledge of STEAM, enabling learners to envision potential careers in these areas.\n\nThe University of Johannesburg (UJ) recently tackled this issue by hosting its second annual STEAM Expo, which attracted over 2,000 learners from the Vaal and Pretoria regions. The expo, themed \"AI and 21st Century Learning,\" aimed to expose learners to STEAM disciplines and career opportunities through interactive exhibitions, information sessions, and practical demonstrations.\n\nUJ's senior director of the Division for Teaching Excellence, Dr. Gloria Castrillon, emphasizes that the event's primary objective was to provide high school learners with hands-on exposure to UJ's STEAM faculties before they finalize their subject choices in Grade Nine and apply to universities in Grade 12. By incorporating the arts and humanities, UJ showcased the interdisciplinary nature of problem-solving in STEAM.\n\nMotheo Mkize, an educator at Freedom Park Secondary School, highlights that learners from underprivileged backgrounds often lack exposure to STEAM fields, which can prevent them from progressing beyond matric. The expo allowed these learners to engage with UJ students and faculty mentors across various disciplines, gaining practical insights into the STEAM world.\n\nPhD student Muhammad Ayyub, from the Department of Botany and Plant Biotechnology, explains that the demonstrations at the expo aimed to bridge the gap between theoretical learning in schools and practical experience in STEAM. He states, \"We understand that students in their schools are being taught the theoretical aspects. So we are displaying it practically, to bring it as close to them as possible and give them a taste of the practical STEAM world.\"\n\nBila Ahmed, a Grade Nine learner from UJ Academy, shares how the expo solidified his career choice: \"Visiting the health science stall has helped me have a better understanding of the subject choices I will soon have to make, which will translate to me doing pharmacy.\" Learners also received guidance and assistance with university applications and admissions at the event.",
  "summary": "The University of Johannesburg hosted a career expo to increase interest in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics fields among learners.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}