“I sometimes think that, general and popular treaties are almost as important for the progress of science as original work.” ~Charles Darwin, 1865.
This statement echoes in other words my personal belief that science should be the least costly to investigate, because it is the most common to observe. Somehow, however, this doesn’t seem to be the case, mainly due to lack of science equipment (and the high cost associated with acquiring them). For the past five months, Edu Spots’ STEM programme (EduSTEM) has been engaging with teachers and students from both Ghana and the UK in a bit to bridge this gap and enhance the hands-on STEM experience of students across the Edu Spots network communities and beyond.
We are excited to announce that, building on the success and lessons of a six-week trial in Akumadan, Edu Spots has completed a two-day workshop on low-cost science experimentations and equipment improvisation for volunteers and science teachers in Bosomadwe; beginning on Wednesday, 29th January, and ending on Thursday, 30th January, 2020.
On 29th January, participants gained skills on low-cost demonstration of refraction using a glass of water (serving as a theoretical basis for the construction of a hand lens). Participants also learnt how to improvise a beaker, eureka can, and a force meter using empty plastic bottles. Manual of this and other equipment improvisation is available for download on the EDUSTEM webpage.
The next day, participants were trained on basic electronic circuits using the Dext Science Set, following which participants gained skills on how to form and sustain STEM clubs.
11 teachers attended the work shop on the first day. This number increased to 19 teachers on the second day. Following this training, participants will form a STEM club open to the whole community with weekly sessions held at the ‘Spot’ using weekly session plan suggestions from EduSTEM. Ongoing support will be provided in areas of trainings and resource provision where necessary. The EduSTEM clubs shall be progressively replicated across the network.
Follow us on
www.eduspots.org as we explore cost-effective, sustainable alternatives to hands-on STEM education!
Written by:
Ali Eliasu,
Edu Spots Head of STEM and Sustainability.
