West Nile science students shine at region's first science fair

How do we develop effective prototype devices that can in the future help our local communities harness and convert solar radiation to heat energy for cooking? How can we best make use of organic pesticides in agriculture and move a model car using solar energy?

These among others were some of the questions young science students from schools in Uganda's West Nile region, where Prof Tickodri Togboa, the Coordinator of the team that assembled the electric car [Kiira EV] comes from were trying to answer, recently at the first-ever competitive school science fair, to be held in their region at Mvara S.S in Arua.

The Education and Sports Ministry organized fair was held under the theme "Innovation for solving everyday problems and improving community livelihoods" and attracted over 30 schools from the region. Over 50 blueprint science projects were exhibited.

Muni Girls Secondary School-Arua emerged the overall winners of the fair on account of their impressive physics project design detailing how communities can use power, force and kinetic energy in the functioning of an irrigation pump.

“When fully developed this prototype can be used in the irrigation of crops during the dry season; to ensure a continual supply of food in arid regions,” Hafusa Akiya, a senior five student at the school and a co-developer of the prototype, said.

Akiya’s colleague, Fadia Queen, a senior three student, said the prototype which was mostly made from metal and consists of a reservoir tank, propeller, propelling sheet and motor took five months to build.

Derrick Atiki of Mvara S.S also gave a good account of himself, as he unpacked his environmentally friendly- prototype water pump appliance, which harnesses solar energy to pump water.

“This water pump does not pollute the environment and its batteries can be charged by the use of wind energy in times of rain. When it is developed, it can be used in schools, in agricultural fields, and hospitals,” Atiki explained.



Acia Marino, the Arua District Education Officer welcomed the idea of holding a science fair in West Nile noting that it will motivate the region's young learners to take up Science Technology, Engineering and Maths education.

"The region is low on science teachers and interest in sciences has generally been low but, I see a change in the tide on account of the high attendance and the competitive STEM applications, displayed. This fair will hopefully help the region's young learners to realize the interdependence of science, technology, and society," Marino said.

Alice Akello, the deputy RDC-Arua encouraged young learners in the West Nile region to embrace hands on-inquiry based STEM education so that they create and develop innovations to improve the livelihoods of people in their region.



“Science has also enabled Uganda to develop its own car-the KIIRA EV car. This fair has allowed our learners to showcase their innovativeness. Fairs like enable our young learners to develop their scientific thinking and can be one of the ways, in which, the government through the Education Ministry can address a falling interest in sciences in some areas of the country” Akello said.

“It is gratifying to see students in West Nile developing blueprint technologies like surface runoff water harvesting and purification systems which can help provide clean water to people across the country.
Innovation encourages risk-taking and problem-solving skills, which are important for not only individual but collective development,” Ronald Mudde, Biology National Trainer at the Education and Sports Ministry said.



George Andama, the Mvara S.S headteacher said there is a need to increase the relevance of science in communities like those of West Nile.

“Most of these communities are underserved by science instruction, poor teacher distribution, and resources. The Education Ministry should make this fair annual as the new curriculum to be rolled out next emphasizes skills development. Our learners have shown a great level of innovativeness in that regard in this fair,” Andama opined.

Patrick Angalia, the Nebbi District Education Officer said annual fairs would solidify on the knowledge economy of the West Nile region.

“When these young people’s innovation projects are supported, they can contribute to positive social and personal outcomes. It is also our hope that our students will get a chance to showcase and compete with other science students at the national science fair,” Angalia said.

In a speech read for him by Mary Nteete, the Principal Education Officer at the Education and Sports Ministry, Alex Kakooza, the Education and Sports’ Ministry’s Permanent Secretary said as a means of promoting quality and equitable education, the government was placing a premium on the promotion of STEM education.



“The education sector has invested a lot of resources in the construction of laboratories, development of instructional materials and re-tooling of teachers. Our efforts have started yielding results for learners, their communities and the country at large. This fair is a testament to the results we are gaining.”

In Uganda, the national average quality of Science and Maths education is still low and in recent times, learner’s achievement [principally girls] in Maths and Sciences have been chequered and on occasion, unsatisfactory.

“There is a need for innovative strategies to boost the girl child’s interest in science subjects and the government has been making significant inroads with its programmes aimed at closing that gender gap in science education,” Kakooza said.

Kakooza revealed that the government was working on a science and ICT policy for education, which would further support the sector in providing clear guidance on STEM education in the country.

“The policies will guide many players who are coming up with innovative strategies of teaching STEM such as e-learning, video conferencing, virtual reality, among others.”

“STEM fields are crucial for sustainable development as they are not only drivers of economic growth but are also enablers of innovations which can address threats posed by global challenges such as climate change, global health epidemics, and increased income inequality.”

The winners according to each category at the fair

In the Mathematics category, Isaiah Ameri and Vincent Edema of Arua Public school impressed with their design of using geometry in trigonometry to measure heights.

In the Biology category, Edith Odaro and Patrick Ajiga from Arua Public school emerged winners with their organic pesticide project.

In the Physics department, the solar heater appliance designed by Sumaya Akunda and Gracious Ayiorwoth of St Mary’s Ediofe Girls S.S-Arua took home the best prize.

The appliance which is used for heating water for domestic use in homes, schools or hospitals, took them 4 months to build.

Brenda Amadrio and Justine Anyuvi of Moyo S.S were crowned the best in the Chemistry category with their natural mosquito repellent extraction blueprint.