Johannesburg is dwelling to South Africa’s biggest science centre, the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, positioned within the coronary heart of Newtown. Since opening its doorways in 2004, the 6 000-square-metre centre has performed a number one position in making arithmetic and science interactive and accessible to learners throughout the town and past.
Petunia Mpoza, Senior Manager: Integrated Marketing and Communications, says the centre’s influence goes far past bettering marks within the classroom. “Our aim isn’t solely to assist learners obtain higher grades, however to plant a seed and dispel the parable that maths and science are laborious. We have state-of-the-art science laboratories the place we convey textbook ideas to life by way of sensible experiments.”
The centre boasts a wide range of programmes and facilities. These include free information and communication technology courses, robotics training, a clubhouse offering school holiday programmes, and even a climbing wall that blends physical activity with problem-solving.
The centre also houses a career centre providing online career assessment and counselling, a multimedia studio used for broadcasting live lessons and revision sessions, and a research component that supports innovation and inquiry-based learning. Plans are underway to integrate the arts through collaborations with local creatives, exploring the science behind artistic expression.
Visitors can expect fully interactive exhibits that stimulate the senses, inviting them to see, touch, smell and experience science in action. “We’re championing the fifth industrial revolution,” says Mpoza, highlighting the centre’s dedication to making ready learners for a quickly evolving digital world.
The centre lately partnered with China Science and Technology Museum to launch the Life, Information, Science, Technology, Education, and Network (L.I.S.T.E.N) Science Space Exhibition.
Mpoza says the exhibition affords an edutourism expertise that brings collectively tradition and innovation by way of interactive shows, agile robotic canine, immersive digital actuality and interesting open science courses. “The exhibition goals to advertise mutual studying and deepen scientific and cultural alternate for the collective development of science literacy.”
Sci-Bono was established as a partnership project of the Gauteng Department of Education to strengthen capacity in science, engineering and technology. It has evolved into a dynamic learning space focused on STEM, science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Today, the centre has expanded its scope to embrace STREAM education, incorporating science, technology, research, engineering, arts and mathematics.
The centre is open to the public for fun, family trips and excursions, hosts birthday parties and boasts a gift shop for science-inspired gifts. Entrance fee is R60 for adults, R40 for pensioners, students and children between 3 and 18 years, and those under three enter free. It is open weekdays, Saturdays and on public holidays from 09:00 to 16:30 and on Sundays from 09:00 to 15:30.
Written by Brümilda Swartbooi
17/02/2026
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