Chemistry Aid: Unlocking the Potential for Low-Cost Teaching in

3rd World Countries

A Workshop

Mauritius

A Workshop Organised by J Ogunde, A J Rest, and R G Wallace

Scientific A

dvisory and

Information Netw

ork (SAIN),

Kenya and Chemistry Aid

(Kenya)

Educational Techniques Group Trust ( Royal Society of

Chemistry), Chemistry Video Consortium and Chemistry Aid (UK) c/o School of Chemistry,

University of Southampton, UK

Educational Techniques Group

Trust( Royal Society of

Chemistry) and the School of

Science and Technology,

Nottingham Trent University,

Nottingham, UK

The Workshop, which will be in an interactive format, will be divided into three parts:

• Sharing ideas about how-low cost techniques, for example kitchen Chemistry, and high-cost techniques such as using multimedia resources can be used to provide students with “hands-on” experiences of “live” Chemistry so as to enable them to convert “chalk-and-talk” abstract theoretical teaching into “live” teaching, to enhance their motivation for Chemistry and improve their performances in national examinations

• A “brain storming” session to develop funding models and sources of funding to enable the new ideas for teaching Chemistry, for example the use of solar generators to provide electricity and ICT in rural schools to be implemented in Developing Countries

• A “hands-on” “swap-shop” session of resources developed by participants to enable participants to share and experience tried-and-tested resources, for example Chemical Reactions in Ziploc Bags so as to have confidence in introducing these resources in their own counties.

Structure of the Workshop

• Part 1 - Practical Considerations of delivering "Live Chemistry" • Part 2 - Demonstration of "Low Tech" and "High Tech" techniques

• Part 3 - Practical Considerations and Funding for implementing schemes

• Part 4 - Conclusions

Practical Considerations of delivering "Live Chemistry"

=> break up into small groups to provide answers, especially for rural schools which do not have electricity and running water

Suggested topic for discussion

Problems with Glassware

Glassware is costly, easily broken, difficult to replace quickly National examinations require students to use glassware, e.g. burettes Solution = use plastic ware where possible for routine use. This is much more robust

and easily available from supermarkets Solution = schools to share equipment

Demonstration of "Low Tech" and "High Tech" techniques

=> hands-on session for participants to use techniques brought by ETGT team and any techniques and materials which delegates have brought themselves

Practical Considerations and Funding for implementing schemes

=> break up into small groups to come up with realistic solutions for applying for grants to implement schemes

Suggested topic for discussion

Persuading teachers and administrators to adopt the "High Tech" and "Low Tech“ methods described earlier and funding the costs of schemes to implement changes.

A way of doing this is to use a "Chemistry Bus" to do Road Shows

Conclusions

Ideas from groups put onto flip charts

Ways ahead networking ideas news and innovations via Chemistry Aid web site participants e-mail addresses making use of the RSC Learn Chemistry on-line web site

…… to all the participants and the conference organisers

Any Questi ons?