LOCATION: Aminus, Namibia
PROJECT LAUNCHED: 2015
PROJECT LEADS: Namibia University of Science and Technology, formerly known as Polytechnic of Namibia
PROJECT OVERVIEW
In Namibia, science is a difficult subject to teach due to a lack of resources and qualified, trained teachers. Schools that do offer physical sciences do not have adequate science laboratories that reinforce learning through hands-on experiences.
In order to develop Science and Engineering Education and kindle an interest in students at a young age, the Polytechnic of Namibia, with help from non-profit UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), has decided to help build a stronger science program for secondary schools in Namibia with the use of a mobile science laboratory. The mobile science lab will connect science education with in-depth, hands-on demonstrations and enable teachers to become more innovative in illustrating the basic concepts of science, thus enhancing their own teaching of the subject.
The pilot project and program will occur in one chosen school in three phases, with the first being an installation and supply of the mobile science lab to Rietquelle Junior Secondary School, a rural school located outside of Aminus. The second phase will be the training period for teachers on the use of the apparatus. In the final phase, the university students and IEEE graduate members will work with teachers to perform a project that will reinforce the knowledge of science acquired.
The third phase project will be to design and install a solar-powered, programmable community alarm clock that the teacher will plan and high-school students will have input on. The project includes aspects of physics, chemistry and mathematics. A maintenance manual will be created to encourage high-school students to operate and maintain the clock. A book of experiments will be included with the mobile science lab to enable further use of the apparatus. Final-year university students will receive academic credits for their endeavor in the project.
PROJECT PARTNERS
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