MICROSCIENCE THE WAY FOERWARD FOR KENYAN SCHOOLS

MICRO SCIENCE A MEAN OF IMPROVING PHYSICAL SCIENCES PERFORMANCE

“We need to go micro-science - using modern technology that is cheap,” says Prof. Shem Wandiga, the chairman of Kenya Chemical Societies (KCS), “in the pursuit of chemistry and physics – thus most schools can afford necessary facilities for practicals.”

Indeed, physical sciences are the worst hit in most schools in Kenya from lack of access to laboratory facilities, says the director for the Centre for Science and Technology Innovations, Kenya, “biological draws most of its materials from nature.”

“Micro-science cost is reasonable – for Ksh 15,000 you can buy a kit and Chemicals for doing experiments for 40 students, for a whole year,” says Wandiga, “we're in the era of nano - measurements, microchips, and milligrams (mg) quantities.”

However the greatest challenge in adapting this new technology is retraining the teachers who have been trained in macro-science, points out the chemist, “we have to accept that the world is going small: when students graduate they are going to use small (micro) qualities in their scientific endeavors.”

The don says that all chemistry practicals can be done by harnessing microchemistry. Huge costs involved in the purchase of Bunsen burners, gas cylinders and refilling the cylinders will be history – oil burners energy will be sufficient. This will bridge the gap of lack of facilities, that is prevalent in most schools in Kenya save national and some provincial schools. In learning electricity, electronics, magnetism, semiconductors, solenoids in physics – micro-physics will become handy.

For science to play its rightful role – as an agent towards industrialization: Teachers need to be retrained to appreciate science than before; be armed with new methods of disseminating science; be horned with new ideas on the evolving technologies; yes, new means of carrying out experiments, articulates Wandiga, “thus they can do what they are doing better.”

“The problem in Kenya - we train for job – not for life,” says the current chairman of the Pan African Chemistry Network, Kenya, “if we're training for job we need to expand our job market – attract investors and entrepreneur who can open up the Kenyan chemical industry.”

Job opportunities for science graduates will motivate learners in primary and secondary schools to pursue pure and applied sciences with enthusiasm, the veteran researcher says,adding that, Kenya needs to invest in cheap source of electricity thus we can be able to add value to our raw resources before exporting.

Example, process titanium, sodium chloride and coal to end products. Titanium metal is in high demand in earo-industry ( making of planes, shuttles, ship), says the chemist, “the KCS is out to promote chemical sciences – by fostering a network for scientist to convergence, often.”

The association is mustering its acumen to see that theoretical knowledge is transferred to the industry, research findings are integrated in Government policy framework. From October 5-9, they will be meeting in Mombasa for a symposium, a conference on theoretical chemistry. KCS will soon be coming up with a professional exam for its members.


MOTIVATION A MAGIC TOWARDS THE APPRECIATION OF SCIENCE


Michelle Ndunge of Lake View Avidrose Academy, Ruai, 10 years old, was the youngest delegate in the August 25 – 28, Pan African Chemistry Network , that was hosted by Chiromo Campus, University of Nairobi.

It was exciting listening to imminent scientist from around the world, says Michelle, “I'm aspiring to be a scientist.”

She dared to take the less traveled road. Listening Green Chemistry demystified; dozens of research findings presented; and the intricate application of chemistry called forth to respond to the prevailing water crisis. This will make a difference in the young girl, says Dr. Isaac K'owino, of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, “young people are supposed to attend such conferences to spur their interest towards science.”

It's quite insightful how the passion seed of science are sown in young minds: “A simple German scientific documentary, of the '80s that was aired by KBC TV, featuring exciting applications of science in daily life ignited my fondness towards science,” says Dr. Patricia Gitari, a chemistry don, “Students need to be firmly rooted in the basic fundamentals of science which the rest of 'complicated' theories and concepts are build upon,” yes, “be exposed to its applications in daily life – theories upon theories stifle the interest of students.”

“One day I killed a frog and observed blood oozing out . I begun questioning...,” narrates Daniel Mutonga, a second year Medical student, “I partook Ben Carson's testimony as it graciously drizzled via the pages.” “ Science has something new to learn every day,” says Yvonne Gachugi, a third year Industrial Chemist, to her science is an opportunity in solving daily problems.

For Ann Nyambane, a third year, Industrial Chemist,says that her teachers at St. Cecilia Mishikhu High School encouraged her to applicate science subjects, more, by their approach of breaking down scientific concepts to a daily reality. “Science is for everyone,” says Mary Oriaro, a fourth year, Chemistry and Information Technology student, Maseno University, “through the practicals one embraces a foresight to discover, innovate,and add value to existing knowledge.”

Indeed, “ students need to be involved in all scientific activities,” says Prof. Jacob Midiwo, the local chairman of the Pan African Chemistry Network. During the conference Kenya national school science congress chemistry winners, university students from the divergent institutions and chemistry branches were involved, actively.

“Students need to see science in action,” Midiwo says, “learners need to be exposed to - science at work and its noble career - from tender years - thus they start affiliating themselves with science, able to appreciate and understand contextual concepts a while, earlier.

Nevertheless, “for us science subjects are not a problem, including mathematics,” says Keree Kiboi, Friend Kamusingu High School, chemistry teacher, “we spend term one, of Form One, to explain to students how and why they should learn sciences.”

Thus the students secure a fortified background in learning the subjects, he says. Kamusingu uses previous results to set academic targets, example in one year they had 48 As in chemistry, this encouraged them to registrar 78 As the following year, which in turn catapulted them to 108 As.

The willingness of the administrators to support the teachers with necessary teaching resources and setting high discipline standards plays its magic, says Kiboi, “teachers must be willing to put in undying sacrifice – offering remedial classes, decided team work, lubricated consultations and counseling and being close to students to freely share their problems.”

Science should be felt, done, seen and read for it to be appreciated,understood, a rouse creativity and spring innovations, the dons say.


CHEMISTRY NATIONAL SCHOOL SCIENCE WINNERS FETED

The Royal Society Of Chemistry (RSC), UK, with mission of advancing the chemical sciences, honored this year Kenya science congress, chemistry, top three winners with an opportunity to interact and share their innovations with researchers and scientist from across the world during the Pan Africa Chemistry Network conference.

Students need to realize that science is an agent of solving prevailing problems, says the RSC, CEO, Dr. Richard Pike. “We believe that chemistry can help answer many problems facing humanity.”

“Relying on what others have done has reduced us to mitumba (second-hand) technology adaptors and beggars,” says Kaburu M'rubu, VC Gretsa University, Thika. “Innovation can however make us technology donors. And though technology innovation requires resources, it actually begins in the mind.”

“Science makes everything possible,” says Churchill Agutu and Zahra Sheikh from Jalaram Academy, Kisumu, they scoped the first position from their water sterilizer, that was innovated from table salt, water and electricity, they are looking forward to pursue Biochemistry and Genetic Engineering.

"Science is real," says Antony Mundia and Alfred Swanya of Eutychus Academy, Riruta, who scooped the second position. Their innovation is a soft board from waste papers and farm weeds. Mundia is eying to be a Medical Engineer while Swanya is aspiring to pursue Pure Chemistry.

“We like living in a clean and beautiful environment,” says John Mutua and Stella Mumo, thus they muscled their chemistry knowledge to reverse the prevailing trend by innovating a mean to recycle polythene wastes.

For Nyakora Daniel Singh of St. Anthony's Boys High School science is “real and interesting,” he is aspiring to pursue medicine; they innovated a Strongram Fuel from pine tree – this will go a long way of complementing the energy mix.

“We invited them here,” says Prof. Shem Wandiga, for other students to realize their creativity, innovations, and application of science in solving our daily problems is appreciated and recognized beyond Kenya.

RSC accorded them coverage in their August RSC News magazine, RSC's Visual Element Trumps, t-shirts and cash, 25,000, 20,000 and 15,000 respectively were a warded.