1,500 Secondary School Students laud UNN-UNESCO Initiative

1,500 Secondary School Students laud UNN-UNESCO Initiative

As part of the just concluded UNESCO-ICTP-UNN Science Fair and Demonstration, about 1,500 Secondary School Science students who participated in the “Science Technology Workshop and Exposition” which was organized by the University of Nigeria in collaboration with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at the Jimbaz Laboratory, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, have lauded UNN and UNESCO for the 2 day workshop on Global water and Micro science Demonstration experiment, which afforded them the opportunity to conduct practical experiments in Physics, Chemistry and Biology, using compact and affordable kits that have guiding instructions.

The demonstration experiments were based on the Global Micro Science Experiments (kit based science experiments) which was developed by UNESCO and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) in the late 1990s.

According to the UNESCO Facilitator, Mr. Imteyaz Khodabux the workshop was to create awareness on the need for science and how to make it more interesting to students. “Without science, there can be no development”, he said.

He added that this was an “International Year of Water Corporation”, hence, the need to sensitize students on the importance of water and the how to purify water through the use of water-experiment science kits.

Further, Miss Yasemin Dogan, another facilitator who facilitated the “Engineers without borders” said that they were able to teach students on what engineering is all about, what engineers do and how to use basic materials to solve problems. She noted that the idea was for the trainers to teach the students so that they would be able to carry on with the teaching even after the UNESCO team leaves.

She pointed out that the students were now able to make filters and hydro electric generators and commended them for their enthusiasm in learning.
Meanwhile, the participating students commented on their experiences. According to Miss Ugwu Olivia, a SS 2 student from Federal Government Girls College, Lejja, “I really enjoyed the practicals by using cheap materials to purify water”.

Also, Master Valerian Osita a SS 2 Student from Comprehensive Secondary School Ozalla said “I am very happy with this practical because it is necessary for a science student”. He thanked the organizers for putting up such a rewarding workshop while Miss Ejeagha Chinenye a SS 2 student from University Secondary School, Enugu remarked “I enjoyed the practicals”.

According to the Project Coordinator, Prof. Jerry Ugwuanyi, the 1500 secondary school students, from Enugu State were distributed as follows; Nsukka Educational District was allocated 500 students, Obollo Educational District 400 students, University of Nigeria Secondary School, Nsukka, 100 and University Secondary School, Enugu 100.

Others schools were further distributed as College of Immaculate Conception Enugu 50, Mea Mater Elizabeth High School, Enugu 50, Federal Government College, Enugu 50, Federal Government Girls College, Lejja 50, St Cyprian Special Science School 100, St Theresa College 50 and Queen of the Rosary Secondary School, Nsukka 50.

Prof. Ugwuanyi, remarked “this workshop has achieved maximum success”. He continued that “although UNESCO recommended few schools and three educational zones which comprised training 800 secondary school science students and 50 secondary school science teachers, we went beyond the initial plan by providing training for 1500 students and over 85 teachers”.