STEM Through Sport: Inspiring the Next Generation Through Netball and Science

The Laboratory for Microscopy and Microanalysis at the University of Pretoria is part of an outreach programme that will expose young girls to the wonderful world of microscopy.

The STEM Through Sport outreach programme, a collaboration between CHIETA and the University of Pretoria, uses netball as a dynamic platform to expose and inspire young girls to explore opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Focused particularly on girls from township and rural communities, the programme combines sport with hands-on STEM activities, career guidance, and interactive exhibitions to create an exciting learning experience through play, within their own communities.

The 2026 Provincial Netball Games Series will take place across five provinces, bringing together young participants aged 9–17 years in an environment where sport, science and opportunity intersect. Through this unique model, young girls will engage with STEM concepts while playing the sport they love, highlighting that science is not separate from everyday life, but part of the world they experience daily. By making STEM visible, relatable and exciting within their own communities, the programme aims to encourage young girls to consider science-related subjects, studies and careers in the future.