Promoting Practical Science Education to Shape Future Innovators
Schools are being urged to connect classroom science with real-world applications to enhance student learning and prepare future innovators. Experts emphasize that practical, hands-on lessons are essential for developing critical thinking and entrepreneurial skills in young learners.
Schools have been encouraged to integrate classroom science with practical, real-world applications to enhance the relevance and impact of education on the future generation.
Cale Santus, a curriculum specialist at the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), emphasized that connecting classroom science with daily life will enable students to better understand societal needs while excelling in exams and becoming valuable contributors in the future.
“I was particularly impressed by a presentation where a teacher asked students to explain the real-life importance of an experiment on volume,” he remarked during the Practical Teaching Campaign (PTC), addressing both teachers and students from various schools.
The competition, organized by Science Teaching and Innovation Africa (STIA), was held at Pope Paul Memorial Centre in Ndeeba, Kampala, on August 21, 2024.
Amon Rugira, the STIA Country Director, noted that practical teaching equips learners with the entrepreneurial skills necessary to navigate and succeed in a rapidly changing world.
“Our focus is on applied science, and we utilize a practical, research-based approach that fosters innovation and enhances the learning process for all students,” he explained.
Cleophus Mugenyi, the Commissioner of Basic Education at the Ministry of Education, highlighted that literacy levels across the country remain below standard, largely due to the predominance of theoretical teaching methods.
“The country requires more innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs to prepare for the future. This can be achieved by linking classroom science with everyday life,” Mugenyi stated.
Background
The Science Teachers Initiative (STI), a registered non-profit organization composed of senior educationists and innovators, is committed to enhancing education quality and promoting critical thinking and innovation among young people in Africa.
STI’s mission is to leverage scientific knowledge, innovation, and research to address socio-economic challenges. This is achieved by developing and utilizing practical, hands-on learning and teaching materials that foster lifelong learning.
