I'm going to pat my back a little bit here. In development work, there are a lot of buzz words thrown around. Sustainability. Investment. Stakeholders. Counterpart. I have held firm to most of these words and feel that my work has been sustainable and filled with community investment. Good job, Sean. Now I want to do something that no one in my community has talked to me about. I want to do a science camp.
Growing up, I was always bad in science. I lacked patience and wasn't curious in that way. I owe my high school success in biology and chemistry to Jon Oram and Matt Boron's paper placement. I don't believe a knack for any subject comes naturally, there is a catalyst in every case. From this catalyst, the individual's motivation is what turns a great moment into consistent practice and eventually the work becomes second nature. I want to be that catalyst in a joy for science with my Grade 5 English class.
So I marked July 5-12 for the camp. To keep costs down and make things real and relevant, I decided to have the camp at school. I asked 4 of my fellow, more intellectually inclined Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV) to assist in leading experiments. I contacted the University of Limpopo, Tshilidzini Hospital and Gym4You to come and speak at the camp. I went to the two local secondary schools to send out applications for Scientists in Training (SITs). The result is a fun-filled week.
The first two days, the PCVs will teach the SITs how to do the experiment, explain the science behind it and allow them to do a practice presentation. After these first two days, 60 grade 5 children will be broken into 4 groups. Each day they will learn a new experiment but the first day they will learn how to do an experiment by learning the scientific method. With the scientific method at their disposal they will tackle density, mass, volume and states of matter, in a fun-filled, hands-on way. In the afternoons, after lunch, local businesses and institutions will come and share their practical application of science. Children will learn about nutrition and exercise, electricity, impact of local diseases, bird identification and receive career guidance.
It's a great chance. A great chance for these kids to learn the sciences in a way that is usually only seen by the wealthy city dwelling people of South Africa. A great chance for local businesses to uplift their community intellectually and instill in them a sense of hope for future employment. A great chance for the PCVs to share in the common bond of curiosity. It is also a great chance for you to get involved with my work in South Africa. Check out http://halambanisciencecamp.blogspot.com/ to see how.
