Science Congress 2011

This month was the zonal and district science congress competitions, and this year Bande Girls’ had 7 projects that competed at the zonal level. Of these 7 projects, 6 were chosen to continue and compete at the district competition. Because of this impressive showing Bande placed 2nd out of all the schools who competed at zonals this year. I was extremely impressed with the students work and the experience was beneficial to their education, especially in their development of critical thinking and problem solving skills. Most of the students that presented this year also presented last year and they have made huge strides in their confidence and public speaking skills which also includes a huge improvement in their English. I was also impressed with the amount of responsibility that the teacher who is the head of the math and science department took on in preparing the students for the event. Last year was the first year our school competed, and most of the planning and responsibility fell on me, so this year it was great to see another teacher become invested in the activity and it makes me confident that the school will continue to place an emphasis on science congress even after I have left the school. Yay for sustainability!

Here are some pictures of my students preparing for their presentation and also celebrating afterward!

This years science congress was held at Rabwao Secondary School, where my PCV friend Chris works, and is not too far from Lake Victoria. After the students had all finished presenting the other teacher from Bande, Mr Akello, and I took the students to the lake. They had a blast playing in the water and some of them had never been down to the lake before. Aren't they hilarious? They always keep me entertained!

The students and I down at Lake Victoria

Susan and Salvera working on their posters for their push-pull method of pest control on farms project.

The night before the zonal competition, students working on their posters for their presentations.

Winnie and Engrede practicing their presentation on an alternative charcoal using sawdust.


Phostine and Nancy working on their coconut oil extraction project.

Nevina and Zerah who presented how to make glue using different trees and plants.


Clare and Trizah presented a biology talk about drinking fresh juice instead of buying concentrate or factory manufactured juice.

Veronica and Viviane with their homemade wart remover project

Mercy and Ephie looking through their write-up about an ammonium phosphate fertilizer made using all local materials.