Science Fair: NGOs challenge 1000 girls to take up science

By Elizabeth Uwandu

The 2017 Science Fair aimed at challenging students to explore global Technology world for innovation and advancement, held recently in Lagos is set to enter World Guinness Record for training over 1000 Primary and Secondary school students and promoting science education for the girl child.

The event, organised by the Science Ambassadors Foundation (SAF) in collaboration with the Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, sought to increase the desire for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) among the participants.

 Mrs Peace Nnabugwu, Country Director, SAF, Nigeria, while emphasising the need for the growth of STEM in Nigeria, stated that poor funding and enabling teaching environment have hindered the country from being among the ten most industrialised countries in the world who used the impact and importance of science technology to enhance on health, transportation, communication and in everyday consumer products.

 Her words, “Unfortunately, due to poor funding of research and experiments, the teaching and learning in the field of science and technology in Nigeria has declined over the years. Also, the increase in the use of alternatives to practicals in the teaching of STEM subjects has made the learning of science more difficult. It is therefore important for government to encourage schools to improvised STEM learning in order to solve existing problems.”

 In his Keynote address, Prof. Toyin Ashiru, Group MD/CEO, Tri-continental Limited, urged the participating schools and students to take STEM careers seriously, saying it produces professionals that build communities, transform nations and solve complex problems in today’s world and the future.

 “For our nation, investing in the future of STEM is a priority. “We must begin to appreciate scientists and innovators even more than we celebrate musicians and actors..

 “We need to encourage the students to understand the merits of taking as many Mathematics and Science courses as possible and those courses need to be taught by engaged and enthusiastic teachers using hands-on and minds-on activities.” ” he declared.

Science Ambassadors Foundation (SAF) Marketing & Green  Sustainability Director – Ebisike Ebube George added that the fair had over 50 schools were represented at the event which also featured live experiment on metals using Dalic Technology. And a panelist discussion which looked at the advent of science in the 21st century in comparison with science in the 19th and 20th centuries.

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