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 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 strifle 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 remmedal 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment