We are spending the next two months at St Gerald Mayuge, a secondary school in rural Kenya. One area in which the school faces challenges is in the delivery of practical science lessons to its pupils. All funds raised here will go towards improving the provision of practical science at the school, by refurnishing its existing lab space. These changes will broaden access to a holistic science education, as well as the career prospects, of these pupils.
St Gerald Mayuge is a new school, and although it has committed and passionate science staff, they are limited by a lack of science resources. Their current science facility lacks the basic infrastructure required for pupils to realise their potential as future scientists. Among the challenges facing the science staff is lack of secure access to gas and water to carry out practical lessons. Furthermore, essential lab equipment e.g. a microscope is also missing.
Our project would furnish the existing 'lab' space, to equip it with the basic amenities required to properly run practical lessons. This may include (subject to the funds raised) upgrading pupil access to gas, creating safe storage for new and existing science equipment, and fitting the lab with tables and stools appropriate for lab use.
These changes would both nurture pupils' interest in science and enable science staff to focus on teaching. Pupils find it difficult to achieve good results in their practical exams when they have not been able to practice. Therefore, these changes would help to improve science scores, and allow pupils true access to the vast range of career opportunities that learning science affords.
