Young Scientists Tanzania Exhibitions launched

The Irish Embassy through its Irish Aid in collaboration with Pearson Foundation has launched a Young Scientists Tanzania Exhibition in Dar es Salaam as part of its economic development programs in the country with more than 100 schools participating.

The event was hosted by participants from various schools from different regions of Tanzania showcasing their scientific talents in fields of; Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics. The aim of this exhibition is to encourage science education in the country by bringing together students from across Tanzania to exchange ideas and also learn from scientific firms.

“This exhibition will help us improve our scientific skills and in the long run, raise our living standards,” said Nicholas Clinton, a student of Mirongo Secondary school, Mwanza while demonstrating how to protect a house from being hit by lightning using domestic materials such as charcoal and salt.

Among other exhibitors, were private science and technology training institutions like the Institute of Physics (IOP) UK, which has recently opened a training centre in Morogoro, which focuses on delivering the right approach of teaching science related subjects to secondary school students.

“During a pilot study in Morogoro, we realized that most teachers lack simplified teaching skills hence making it difficult for students to easily learn and understand new concepts,” said Obeid Sitta, teaching director and logistics organizer for IOP. Other demonstrations included testing sound waves and how to generate electricity power through the use of wind by students from Olorieni Secondary School, Arusha.

Speaking to the media, the third secretary to the Irish Ambassador, Nicholas Michael explained that this exhibition was a complimentary project of Irish Aid which mainly focuses on supporting the government in terms of funding the Agricultural and Health sector.

“We have been holding the same kind of Science and Technology exhibitions in Ireland since 1985 and it has developed many young talents and improved our economy greatly. Therefore, as part of our development programs we wanted the same for Tanzania,” he said.

The Young Scientists Exhibition is a major annual event in Ireland, starting with 240 exhibitors in its first event in 1985 to 550 exhibitors in 2011 of the total 1700 entrants. The exhibition also includes an overall prize of 1ml /= and 10 laptops to the best school exhibitor and an education trip to Ireland.