Project Update:

This week we taught the last of the practical science teaching seminars! There were hiccups here and there, but overall it went really well. With all the seminars combined, there were over 200 teachers trained in the scientific method, (they’ve never heard of it) higher-order thinking skills, inquiry teaching, assessment, active participation, and other things. We also showed (in small groups) 15 science demonstrations or experiments that use materials that cost either nothing or very little. The demonstrations all came from the Ugandan curriculum so the teachers can actually use them.

The response from the teachers was very positive. On the first day of the seminar, we took surveys to see what people thought or what they would change. In the “other comments or suggestions” section, over 70% of the teachers said they would suggest future seminars, or just longer seminars so there is more training time. We have also heard of several teachers who have already started to share the information with their colleagues (YES!). Right now we are trying to organize one more seminar that will be for the head teachers. This one will focus on student-centered learning and inquiry, and how the head teachers can sustain the information we have already given the other teachers.

Through the seminars, we have become good friends with Mike, the District Education Officer. He has been extremely helpful, and he is so supportive of what we’ve done. He even introduced us to his boss, the Chief Administrative Officer- over all of education in Mbale. He also seemed impressed with what we’ve done, and they agreed that we could go to the Teacher Education College this week! That way we can get an idea of how the teachers are trained, and start at the root of the problem.

The seminar

Jordan teaching condensation