INITIATING AND SUSTAINING SCIENCE FAIR PROGRAMS (SFP) IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE.

BY DR. JERRY ORHUEEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INITIATIVE FOR SUSTAINABLE

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (Organizers of the Nigerian Science Fair)

The Educational Environment in Nigeria• Total land area of 923,768 sq Km • Population of approximately 146 million with children between the ages of 0 and 14

accounting for some 41.7% (over 60 million people) of the total population figure• Major challenges: Poor spending on education, poor commitment to human development,

lack of commitment to implement the numerous well thought-out educational policies and programs, week infrastructural base that is further complicated by la lack of suitably qualified manpower, poor and unreliable data base.

Origin of the Nigerian Science Fair• A recognition that no nation can develop beyond the capacity of her Educational System,• A conviction that proper and qualitative education is the right of every child and not a

privilege,• A determination to ensure that no child is denied this right on account of poverty, social

status, religion or geographical location• A persuasion that any investment in education that is not geared towards solving the

problems in the society is a wasted investment• The Birth of the Initiative For Sustainable Educational Development (ISED) and the Nigerian

Science Fair (The story behind the passion)

Getting Started ( Initiating a Science Fair Program)• What you need to start is not necessarily money but a strong will and a rock-solid

commitment. (You need a drive)• Recognize that you are not alone in the struggle• You must reach out; If people of like minds won’t find you, then you go find them. (they may

not be very qualified persons but they must be passionate about the goal)• You require a clear vision; rehearsing this vision before your key men works like magic.• It is best to begin working with existing structure rather than attempting to build new ones

(Government agencies/ministries, Science clubs, Science Teachers Association, National Union of Teachers etc)

• You don’t have to wait until you have a perfect idea,; your ideas are refined as you meet obstacles

Sustaining the Project• Cease every opportunity to talk to people about your vision and what you do• Be persistent and persevering. No one will give you any chance unless you are persistent• Be ready to bring in fresh disciples but never isolate the sceptical. They are likely to be your

army reserved for tomorrow• Be a crusader (Give life to your vision by engaging in activities)• Avoid too much talk about money (Tell people what you have done, what you are doing and

what you hope to do. Those who are interested would want to find out how you get your funds)

• Avoid the temptation of making merchandise of the project but institute for yourself strong ethical and moral standards. Your strongest weapons for sustaining the work are your character and integrity.

• Realize everyone has something to contribute, it doesn’t have to be money• Encourage all who buy into the vision but be sure they won’t all remain with you.(Hidden

motives are revealed over time)• Interact regularly with the students and their teachers. They form your primary constituency.

(You need them more than you need the government or indeed anything else)• Focus on the bright prospects of the children rather than on the failure of government and

the school system• Try to build a structure that trickles down to the grassroots• Seek to compliment and not to compete. Open up what you do and attempt to build a

network involving other persons or organizations.(Many more are likely to join the network if they are convinced you are not attempting to build an empire for yourself.

Common Problems Facing the SFP in Nigeria • Weak infrastructural base further complicated by a lack of adequate manpower• Poor funding of education (the “no money syndrome”) and misdirected priorities• Lack of incentives for teachers particularly those in the sciences • General apathy of government officials, school owners, school heads and teachers (If you

must overcome this, you must focus on the enthusiasm of the children and the very few interested teachers)

• Wrong appointments into administrative positions and the “what is in it for me” syndrome• Unnecessary infightings in government circles and undue bureaucracy• High level of societal distrust/suspicion and diplomatic bottlenecks.• High level of poverty (Inquiry-based learning is expensive but holds the answer to the

nation’s emancipation from the shackles of underdevelopment • Lack of proper co-ordination and integration of all efforts to promote inquiry-based learning • More importantly, the educational structure is still extremely traditional and missionary in

nature

The Campaign Strategy• Focused largely on students and teachers• Central message is “ The conditions may not be right but you can make things happen”• Encourage them not to kill ideas but rather develop a mind to think and a heart to dare• Teach them to develop a mind that is inquisitive, analytical, critical and to have a firm

conviction and a resolute inner being• Encourage them to ask question about their surrounding and work to try find an answer

The ISED Manual for Inquiry-based Learning (IBL)

Introduction to and Requirements for IBL• IBL contrasted Vs traditional Memory-based learning

In most instances, these are lacking, you must therefore teach them• To source for alternatives to the ideal• To use his/her inner strength to conquer outward limitations

Developing the Research question/Hypothesis• Defining the research question• Focus on issues related to your immediate environment• Go for relevance not sophistication

Introduction to creative thinking• Critical Vs creative thinking • Basic principles • The creative cycle• Common methods used in creativity

Building a research team• Why build a research team?• How do I pick my team mates?• How do I enhance team spirit and morale?

Mentoring• Why need a mentor?• What do I look out for in choosing a mentor?• How do I relate with my mentor?

Research Discipline and Ethics• Qualities of a good scientist/researcher (great power of imagination, keen

observation, attention to details, patient investigator, great power of inference, respect for research ethics)

• Respect for ethics must include honest reporting of findings and respect for nature

The art of writing scientific reports• Types of a scientific paper, Sections of a scientific paper, What to look out for in a scientific

paper

The Nigerian Science Fair-5 years after inception • A humble beginning• Several training workshops and seminars• 5 National finals• 2 trips to the Intel-ISEF• Growth from only one state in 2004 to a visible and viable presence in 6 states cutting across

3 of the six geopolitical zones of the country• A rapidly growing awareness and acceptance• A rapidly expanding mentor base• Growing number of friends in high places

What next?• to raise the tempo of activities and programs, embark on expansion• Capacity building• Bridge-building and networking• Influence both the formulation and implementation of educational policies• Increase media advocacy and expansion of the mentorship base• International collaboration to assist with manpower development and facilitate the issuance

of visas• Source for more funds.