The University of the Free State (UFS) is taking the stories of South Africa’s young science innovators beyond classrooms and laboratories through a new television series that celebrates curiosity, experimentation, and the power of ideas.

The series, IdeeMakers, was launched at the Naval Hill Planetarium in Bloemfontein on 18 March 2026. Developed in partnership with kykNET, the Tritech Science and Technology Competition, and Bloemfontein-based Storytown Productions, the eight-part documentary follows the journeys of aspiring young scientists as they investigate real-world challenges and prepare their projects for the national Tritech competition. 

For the university, the initiative reflects a broader commitment to making science accessible and inspiring future generations to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

“By sharing the real stories of young people and their ideas, we inspire others to embrace what is possible. We don’t just showcase science, we expand what young people believe is possible,” said Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies at the UFS, during the launch. “Projects like this bring us closer to our vision of contributing meaningfully to responsible societal futures.” 

Each episode captures the process of discovery that lies at the heart of scientific enquiry. Participants develop research projects, test their ideas, and present their findings while working alongside mentors and educators who help guide their investigations.

The series also introduces audiences to researchers at the UFS, who demonstrate how classroom questions can connect with cutting-edge research at universities. In doing so, the programme highlights the pathways through which curiosity can develop into scientific careers and innovative solutions to real-world problems.

At its core, the project reflects the university’s belief that knowledge should not remain confined to academic spaces. Through storytelling and public engagement, IdeeMakers brings research and scientific thinking into the homes of viewers across South Africa.

Welcoming guests to the launch event, Prof Ylva Rodny-Gumede, Executive Director: Advancement at the UFS, said the initiative demonstrates the importance of sharing knowledge with wider audiences.

“Through this series, the remarkable work of scholars and innovators is brought beyond the walls of the university and shared with a broader public,” she said. “It highlights how ideas generated in our academic spaces can spark meaningful conversations and inspire new ways of thinking.” 

Prof Reddy agrees, “The future of science often begins with a simple question. Our role as universities is to create spaces where that curiosity can grow. Innovation thrives when classrooms, universities, and society are connected by purpose and opportunity.”

The stories featured in the series centre on the Tritech Science and Technology Competition, a national platform that encourages young participants to explore scientific questions through research and innovation. The competition has become an important space where emerging talent can experiment with ideas, connect with experts, and gain exposure to the possibilities of scientific careers.

For the UFS, supporting initiatives such as Tritech forms part of a wider effort to strengthen science education and nurture the next generation of thinkers and problem-solvers. Through outreach initiatives, partnerships with schools, and research-led engagement programmes, the university continues to promote scientific curiosity and critical thinking across communities.

The series also demonstrates the importance of collaboration in advancing knowledge. By bringing together schools, universities, media partners, and the broader public, IdeeMakers creates a platform where scientific ideas can be shared more widely and where innovation becomes part of public conversation.

As the series prepares to reach audiences across the country, the stories it tells offer a reminder that the future of science often begins with a simple question.

“Through initiatives like IdeeMakers, we take science out of laboratories and into living rooms where inspiration truly begins. At the UFS, we believe that the most powerful ideas often start with a learner who is brave enough to ask ‘why’ or ‘what if’,”  remarked Prof Vasu Reddy.