Explore the world beyond the classroom.
How Launchpad came to exist
Learning for the enjoyment
We believe that learning is a dialogue.
Most classrooms have an unavoidable constraint: one teacher, thirty learners, a syllabus, and a timetable. Even the best teachers have to keep moving. If one learner asks a question that takes the class off on an interesting tangent, they often have to say:
“That’s a great question, but we don’t have time for that today.”
No one is at fault — it’s simply the reality of classroom teaching. Traditional classrooms have the difficult task of balancing the needs of many learners while working within a fixed curriculum. That structure is essential, but it doesn’t always leave room to pause, explore an unexpected question or follow a learner’s curiosity as far as it might lead.
The best learning can happen when a learner is free to ask questions without feeling that they’re holding the class back.
Some of the most valuable moments in learning begin with a question that wasn’t on the lesson plan. Launchpad was created to complement the classroom experience by providing the time and space for thoughtful questions, guidance for deeper conversations and genuine exploration.
Thoughtful questioning and discussion ultimately lead to:
→ Better understanding.
→ Better critical thinking.
→ Better research.
→ More confidence and expert knowledge.
→ More independence.
Uncovering unknown disciplines
Curiosity cannot flourish where opportunity to explore does not exist.
Imagine a Grade 9 learner.
They know about:
- Maths
- Physics
- Biology
- Geography
- History
But they may never have heard of:
- Astrobiology
- Bioinformatics
- Synthetic biology
- Computational neuroscience
- Materials science
- Medical physics
- Planetary geology
- Epidemiology
- Systems engineering
- Human factors engineering
- Remote sensing
- Network science
- Cryptography
- Computational linguistics
Some of the above-mentioned disciplines are transforming the world, yet many learners won’t encounter them until university, if at all.
These are missed opportunities. Adolescence is a period of exceptional intellectual curiosity and cognitive development. We often underestimate what young people are capable of appreciating. At this stage, learners are capable of grasping surprisingly sophisticated ideas when presented in an accessible and engaging way.
The goal is not for them to learn university-level content, comprehend every equation, every theory, or every technical detail. The goal is to reveal that these ideas exist and to inspire learners to ask, “How does that work?” That question is often the beginning of lifelong learning. A glimpse into a field they have never encountered before can be enough to ignite a passion that shapes the rest of their education.
Understanding grows later, but curiosity must come first.
School provides an essential foundation, but it cannot possibly encompass the full breadth of modern knowledge. Entire disciplines, emerging technologies and fascinating careers often remain invisible until university or beyond. Launchpad aims to widen that horizon. By introducing learners to the remarkable diversity of scientific, technological and creative fields that exist today, we hope to spark interests they never knew they had and help them see possibilities they may never have imagined.
Meet the Founder
Launchpad was founded by Anke van Dyk, an educator and researcher with a passion for science, lifelong learning, and helping young people discover what they are capable of.
Through years of teaching, tutoring, research, and public engagement, she has seen that some of the most meaningful learning begins with a simple question and the opportunity to explore it without rushing to the next topic.
Launchpad brings together her experience in science, education, and mentorship to create an environment where curiosity is nurtured, understanding is valued, and learners are encouraged to think deeply about the world around them.
Topics that spark her curiosity include:
- How scientific ideas develop over time.
- The intersection of science, philosophy, and society.
- Emerging technologies and their impact on humanity.
- Making complex ideas accessible to everyone.
- Helping people discover disciplines they never knew existed.
Founder & Director, Anke van Dyk
- PhD Candidate in Astronomy at the University of Cape Town & South African Astronomical Observatory
- Mathematics & Physical Sciences Educator
- Science Research Mentor
- Science Communicator & Public Speaker
Looking to the future
Launchpad is intended to grow into a collaborative learning community where learners, educators, researchers and industry professionals work together to explore meaningful ideas and prepare young people for the challenges of tomorrow.
The challenges facing our world are increasingly complex, interconnected and difficult to solve. Addressing them will require more than general awareness or quick answers: it will require discerning people who can evaluate evidence carefully, recognise misleading claims, understand complex systems and contribute genuine expertise. By exposing young people to a broader landscape of knowledge and encouraging them to pursue ideas in depth, we can help develop a generation equipped not only to adapt to the future, but to take part in shaping it.