|
|
Kenya: Budding Scientists
 |
 |
|||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
||||||||||
The East African Standard (Nairobi)
19 March 2008
Posted to the web 18 March 2008
Lynesther Mureu
Nairobi
Collins Mutwiri is excited about the experiment he is about to demonstrate to his fellow pupils.
On the table before him, at Nairobi's National Museums archaeological centre, is a model of a mountain with a vent. Using a chart he explains the process of volcanic eruptions. He then picks up a packet of glucose, opens it then pours its contents into the 'vent'. To the pupils' amazement, an ashy eruption runs down the slopes of the mountain.
As they clap, Collins explains the happenings using a flip chart. "Doing things practically has helped me understand concepts better. It is easier to remember something you have done," says the Greenyard Primary School pupil. He uses material from the National Museums library to supplement his textbooks.
His classmate, Ahmed Hussein, says researching on natural occurrences has spurred in him a desire to be a scientist. "I want to understand what really happens under the earth's surface. What causes tremors?" he says.
The two are members of the Young Researchers Club started by the Museums to help children between 8-13 years understand nature and culture.
Nature and culture are the two thematic areas of the archaeological centre that is home to a number of pre-historic fossils. "
At that age, children are adventurous and keen to learn. The outdoors bring the best out of them," said Mr David Mbuthia, the co-coordinator of the club at the Museum. Now in its tenth year, the club is an initiative of the interactive section of the museum that aims to make learning livelier.
Members usually go for educative excursions to different forests and cultural centres. "We realised the traditional approach made children view museums as boring. The gallery tours, films, slide shows and scientific talks were too technical for children," says Mbuthia.
Club members take part in quizzes, debates, write for the YR magazine, and attend talks and field trips. "Our country lacks sufficient scientists because children are introduced into science late. Scientific skills need to be enhanced from a tender age," says Mbuthia.
The annual membership fee of Sh300 entitles a child to free and unlimited entry to the museum and the library.
|
As they recruit more members, the club is particularly targeting girls, as they tend to shy away from science subjects.
"We also use the opportunity to speak and discuss with the children social issues such as HIV/Aids," says the co-coordinator.
The children socialise through activities such as mini science congresses.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Copyright © 2008 The East African Standard. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Make allAfrica.com your home page | RSS Feed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top | Site Guide | Who We Are | Advertising | Search | Subscribe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Questions or Comments? Contact us. Read our Privacy Statement. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
