Civil Engineering March 2021 | Vol 29 No 2

Civil Engineering March 2021 71 so in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, online teaching and learning has shown significant growth in supply and demand. The internet now provides anyone with the means to find literally anything, making personal and professional development as easy as clicking. However, the amount of information is vast, and finding and selecting useful content can be a challenge. Learning can take place more effec- tively through exploration and discovery if an environment is created for doing so. Such learning leads to better retention of the content and possible problem solving in relation to the content. The STEMulator does just that, creating an online exploratory environment. The STEMulator is now ready and easily accessible to learners, teachers and the community at large. With each layer of the STEMulator platform, one is able to visually dive a little deeper into every object in the fascinating world of STEM. In addition to the full online version, the STEMulator can be loaded onto USB memory sticks and server-routers to reach and function in even the most remote geographical areas. GET INVOLVED As a non-profit company, the STEMulator is open to collaborate through collective effort with any individual or organisation. Any virtual contributions to the STEM environment can be hosted on the plat- form, subject to an editorial process. If you or your organisation are passionate about helping young minds reach the stars, get involved in the STEMulator project to encourage maths and science education, leading to careers in STEM. Big dreams need big support. New ideas, feedback, suggestions, collaborations, and content contribu- tions are welcome. To get involved email info@‌stemulator.org or call the STEMulator project leader Richard Gundersen on +27 (0)82 654 6476 . A personal message from Dawie Botha The SAICE built environment cartoon has been used with great success for many years to assist with a better understanding of the built environment professions. SAICE actively conducted a programme to facilitate decision-making and the cartoon was utilised extensively and especially as a career guidance tool.  I am extremely pleased about how the rootstock which SAICE planted has grown into a wonderful tree which showcases and explains not only the built environment, but also the world of scientists. Much of this was made possible since we at pro SET are the custodians of the ‘old’ AS&TS Trust fund, to which SAICE had contributed a substantial amount through our membership in the past. My personal thanks to the pro SET committee and to the staff at NSTF for taking this project to become a worldwide first.  I hereby encourage my fellow civil engineering professionals to share this widely, contribute and participate and enjoy the fruits of our labours from long ago. My best wishes and regards, Dawie Botha Dawie Botha was the executive director of SAICE from 1991 to 2010 and is the current co-chairperson of the proSET committee driving the STEMulator project. STEMulator displays a variety of clickable areas, representing many fields of interest Various parts of the human body can be explored Learners can interact and discover more about the composition of cars