02 Jun 2015

Science teachers have been urged to adopt non-traditional methods in order to improve learning at primary and secondary schools. 

During the Science Circus Teacher’s training workshop in Palapye recently, the teachers were urged to use everyday objects available in their environment to make science education interactive.

The workshop was organised by Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) in collaboration with the Australian University through centre for public awareness of science.  Teachers were trained to be interactive based on curriculum and promoting locally available materials and equipment in their classrooms.

Dr Graham Walker, science circus Africa project officer, said in an interview that their aim was to take science to the teachers and students in an interesting way and show teachers that they can teach in an interesting way hence make learning fun by using objects easily found around them. 

He said as the objects were already available, teaching science was thus not expensive as it does not require laboratories and apparatus. Dr Walker said the teachers’ science circus workshop was imported as it imparted new skills and knowledge to be used in the classrooms.

He said they had an opportunity to visit schools and had science shows with the students. The workshop was packed with different practical science activities that showed teachers how to utilise home or domestic materials to make learning simple. 

Five science teachers from primary and secondary schools were invited. Speaking in interviews, they said they were impressed by the enthusiasm of the workshop as practical activities were demonstrated and taught.

They said they faced numerous challenges in their schools such as shortage of experimental materials. The teachers said the orthodox academic teaching has proved it difficult for students to quickly learn as science demands a practical approach.

Teachers said the workshop was an eye-opener and they would apply the newly acquired knowledge in their classrooms. ENDS