EDUCATION | GIRLS | SCIENCES 

The Eastern Africa Network for Women in Basic Sciences (EANWoBAS) has always held annual mathematics and science camps, but this year because of the pandemic, it was organised virtually.

The conference, which virtually took place recently on zoom, slid and google form platforms, was held for two days. 

Caroline Taliba, the project coordinator, revealed the number surpassed their expectations.

“We had organised for 200 participants from Uganda and other East African nations, plus Zambia and Ethiopia,” Taliba revealed. “Unfortunately, all slots were all taken and we had to lock some participants out.”

The chairman of EANWoBAS, Dr Betty Nannyonga Kivumbi, a senior Lecturer at Makerere University said that the e-camp aimed to support the learner’s beyond classroom content.

“We want to demystify the notion that Mathematics and Science are very abstract and difficult subjects,” she quipped.  

“In addition to letting the youth use Communication Technology as a way of interesting learners in Mathematics and Science fields.”

The director of Physics at the International science program Sweden, Prof. Karla Puglia said learners needed to grasp mathematics because it was found in every science subject.

Furthermore, Dr Karla advised the learners to work together with people who are good in mathematics and sciences.

Pupils take Mathematics and Science lessons out of the classroom during the 2020 Mathematics camp. (Credit: Maureen Nakatudde)

 “It helps to have a network of other people who love mathematics around you,” she said. “If you like mathematics and sciences, you should put to study and then achieve your dream profession.”

The guest of honour, Professor Padmanabhan Seshaiye from Mason University, USA challenged the participants to think of something, which never required mathematics in life. 

He tasked the learners to get mathematics out of the classroom to real-life because that is where it is needed.

The e-camp included participants from primary one to senior six who were divided into groups. These were each given a different facilitator to equip them with different mathematics skills

Despite that, the advanced level camp only had male participants. Dr Marjorie S K Batiibwe of Makerere University observed that there was also a need to encourage girls to take on science subjects the more they climbed the academic ladder.

“We need to encourage more girls competing at the level because the essence of the camp is to motivate and mentor more girls to join STEM-related courses at tertiary level,” she said.

The e-camped brought different ways of learning mathematics from music, aerobics, quiz, to critical thinking and problem.

“The essence of this was to see young people appreciating mathematics and science in a different outlook from what they see in the classroom,” Assumpta N. Kasamba a mathematics teacher at Gayaza High School revealed

Since some children enjoy using music, Godfrey Ntubiro a Curriculum Specialist at National Curriculum Development Centre said it would be good if it was used. They, therefore, introduced topics of science using music. After that, Ntubiro gave the youth an assignment of making a tune of their own while mimicking the concept they have learnt.

Besides that, the children did Mathematics with leisure. While doing aerobics under the guidance of Ntubiro, the learners made different styles like lines, triangles and squares.

At the end of the camp, quizzes were administered for all levels. Taliba explains the winners received e-certificates and presents were sent to them later in the week.