MINI-LABORATORY FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Experimentation and practical work form a basic block for teaching science, understanding scientific concepts and enhancing creativity and innovative skills. Unfortunately, up to now teaching science in primary schools is still being done theoretically on the chalk board.

Theoretical teaching of science makes teachers devote much time and effort to repeating information and learners develop a negative attitude towards science subjects. With this in mind, STIAfrica introduced a distinct innovation known as a primary school mini-laboratory.

A mini-laboratory for primary schools is an assembly of instructional materials that contain teaching and learning aids that cannot easily be improvised by the teacher in his or her immediate surroundings, and yet are vital for learner to understand key scientific concepts. It is a cost-friendly essential and fitting alternative for the lack of laboratories in most primary schools.

The mini-laboratory (The new Approach Integrated Science Kit) is an essential alternative to the lack of laboratories and laboratory equipment in most of the primary schools. It is an important supplement to the practical Science STIAfrica textbooks in the teaching and learning of integrated Science.

The mini-laboratory (mobile laboratory) is comprised of teaching-learning aids that a teacher would find hard to improvise. It is curriculum-based and includes all components necessary for learning Science practically. With it a teacher does not need to spend hours explaining scientific concepts on the chalkboard for learners to cram and reproduce. Instead, learners are given learning activities in which they can observe, draw their own conclusions and make their discoveries as they learn. While learners develop important life skills, learning this way is also active, interesting and fun.

The mini-laboratory (science kit) is evaluated and recommended by NCDC and the Ministry of Education and Sports. It covers topics in science from primary four to primary seven and includes sections like the human body models, First Aid, measurement, simple machines, optics and microscopes among others. Most items in the Kit are manufactured locally at the STIAfrica Workshop and Innovation Centre using locally sourced materials.

What are the objectives of the Mini-Laboratory project?

• To promote practical teaching and learning of science in primary schools.
• To simplify abstract scientific concepts and increase pass rate of pupils.
• To cultivate the learning of essential life skills.
• To build a strong scientific foundation right from the primary level
• To promote innovation and skills development.
• To reduce stigmatizing beliefs and reinforce positive attitude towards science, especially with regards to the girl child.