Mabaso creates virtual science labs
Mbangiso Mabaso is the founder of SI Realities, a virtual science laboratory which leverages augmented reality and virtual reality to make science learning easy, fun and engaging. Born and raised in Botshabelo in the Free State, he completed his education in Botshabelo before embarking on his tertiary education. Completing a diploma, he worked at MultiChoice before resigning to complete his degree but ended up pursuing entrepreneurship instead. Most of his education is self-taught through free learning platforms such as YouTube and Udemy.
Having explored numerous projects, Mbangiso has been exploring entrepreneurship since 2013. His experience includes running an NPO which distributed blankets and computers, selling solar lights, selling craft beer, fast food, and developing a cooler bag that can charge your phone via solar energy. A project which got the support from SAB needed the development of an app, which he poured all his resources into and resulted in the developers delivering a less than satisfactory final product. This spurred him to learn how to build his own apps, which led to the development of his first game and then SI Realities.
Photo by Mpumelelo Macu
The idea for the project was born when Mbangiso was still in school and learning about electricity. Wanting to learn more and experiment he and his friends visited a science lab only to be disappointed by the lack of equipment and the state of disrepair in which the lab was in. When his nephews entered the same school he realised that something needs to be done and he researched the issue, finding that 80% of public schools don’t have adequate science facilities, making understanding concepts difficult for learners. Noting that those that had access to such facilities did better in university than those that did not, he decided to create a program to address the issue.
SI Realities is a virtual science laboratory focusing on life, natural and physical science. Using the camera on a tablet users scan a small cube which the tablet then overlays with a specific science apparatus or experiment using augmented reality which the learners can interact with and learn from on the tablet. Moving the cube results in the apparatus moving in virtual space. This reduces the costs associated with having traditional laboratories which can cost anywhere between R500 000 and R1 million to set up. To make the content more enticing, SI Realities uses elements of gamification, allowing learners to play and learn at the same time.
Photo by Mpumelelo Macu
The project faces challenges such as needing to provide enough content for the platform at a rapid pace. Lack of internet on Mbangiso’s part increases this challenge. Funding is another hurdle, with the project largely self-funded. The goal is to take SI Realities beyond just underprivileged classrooms and into the hands of learners at home, at private schools and those that are being homeschooled. Once the platform is stable in South Africa the plan is to take it to the broader continent and eventually evolve into a virtual classroom in which learners from all around Africa can interact and learn together.
Photo by Mpumelelo Macu
Mbangiso heart warms when he sees the smile on a person’s face after making a difference in their lives. Seeing a child open up to the learning experience lets him sleep easily at night and like he has a billion rand in his account. Having found out about Amaphiko in 2014, he has always admired it and is hoping to gain help in business development that will help them become a profitable and sustainable business. He is also looking to grow personally as an entrepreneur as well as to network with fellow social entrepreneurs.
This article first appeared on Red Bull.