First ever school science fair in Karamoja

INNOVATION

MOROTO - A first ever science fair in Karamoja sub-region was held Wednesday at Moroto High School, with as many as 20 schools taking part.

Participants showcased projects to improve community livelihoods in the region.

The fair is part of a campaign by the education ministry to improve learners participation during lessons to build and make sense of knowledge.

Officials from the education and sports ministry, led by the commissioner of private schools, Hajji Ismail Mulindwa, inspected the various projects.

In a speech read on her behalf by Mulindwa, education minister Janet Museveni said that although the country is struggling with science education, her ministry has developed firm benchmarks and set targets that will transform the teaching of science in the country.

She lauded the students for developing prototype innovations that can be harnessed to change their communiities

There were 56 prototype projects exhibited in disciplines such as Maths, Chemistry, Biology and ICT.

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Here are some of the projects


Students of Apostles of Jesus Seminary explained their community radio station project.

Another student from Apostles of Jesus Seminary Moroto unpacked his project titled 'Making local tiles from polythene and sand' as another way of recycling polythene.

This female student from Arerek Progressive Academy. Here she explained her project to adjudicators, saying she has made manure by decomposing plant residues.

Alcohol has been known to destroy communities in Karamoja. The student below is from Moroto High School, the hosts, and has been investigating its effects on human health. He explained to adjudicators from the education ministry his project that essentially seeks to investigate the effects of alcohol on communities in Karamoja.

Beatrice Awor from Morulem Girls Secondary School's blueprint project lays focus on making white charcoal out of paper. Charcoal from trees is largely outlawed in Karamoja on account of widespread deforestation.

Awor's is one of many innovations being broached up to help eradicate deforestation in the region.
 

Brenda Anyakun of Kangole Girls Secondary School displayed her local fridge project to ministry officials.

This tudent from Abim Secondary School explained her plant self watering system. During the fair, students were expected to display their innovative and creative ideas and projects they are working on based on knowledge acquired in class.

Veronica Napeyok from Pokot S.S. showcased her local milk preservation innovation. The fair attracted schools from all the seven districts of Karamoja.

Themed 'Innovations for improving community livelihoods', the fair aims at encouraging learners to critically think about developing ideas to respond to community challenges. Akol Regina of Pope John Paul 11 Memorial College, Kaabong makes soap out of a local tuber.

Deborah Iriama from Kangole S.S. explained how she makes charcoal from cow dung. She uses cow dung, fine sand, maize cobs and water to make charcoal.