Written evidence submitted by Kenneth Monjero, Science Fun Kenya (COM0004)

SCIENCE COMMUNICATION AND PARTICIPATIONS, KENYA

 

The trends in attitudes to science, and public engagement with science

There has been minimal public participation in science other than science products. In Kenya, there is a great gap between scientists and the public. The government and private sector has however tried to gap in but it still needs a lot to be done.

The balance of effort needed to increase public engagement in science by ‘new audiences’ and by the ‘already interested’.

There has been much efforts to engage farmers in agricultural science. Training institutions has also build up capacity to engaged young minds in science through training and outreach programmes.

A noble way has been to engage children and public in science through science centres/science museums of which there in none in Kenya other than what we are starting at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization.

Any further steps needed by the media and broadcasters to improve the quality, accessibility and balance of their science coverage; and science coverage in broadcasters’ programme-making.

There is need for capacity building in journalism and increased participation in science technology and innovation. We also plan to bring the on board in our science fun centre.

The communications strategies being taken to encourage young people to study STEM subjects in higher and further education, and to encourage those people towards STEM careers.

There has been efforts in the formal education sector on STEM but we look forward to utilize science centre in an informal way of hands on exhibits, demonstrations and science shows in the science centre and outreach to schools.

The extent to which public dialogue and consultation is being effectively used by Government in science and technology areas of policy-making.

The Government has tried to put in place various science policies and implementation remains a challenge.

The strategies and actions being taken by Government to foster public engagement and trust of science more widely, and high quality reporting of science in the media.

Capacity building has been the aim of the government and also regulations and policies on mass media. This has brought about transition on science reporting by science journalist.

The start of science centre is from capacity building and exposure from developed Countries where there has been great impacts by science centres/ Museums. There in no science centre/museum in Kenya thus starting the first one.

There is need for collaboration, funding and more capacity building thus any connections and networks will be highly appreciated;

Below is the concept for science centre/museum Kenya;

 

 

Introduction

A science centre is a learning institution where young learners and the general public are engaged, nurtured and empowered through hands-on exhibits, educational programs and events.

One of the best ways to inspire children, public and training institutions in science technology and innovation is to engage them in interactive hands-on simple exhibits and demonstrations as with the case of informal science centres. For future career development, children should be engaged at the earliest ages using science centres platform to connect with science and technology, with family support.

Under the Science Technology and Innovation (ST&I) foundation of Kenya Vision 2030, enhancing ST&I awareness is one of the key strategic areas/thrusts in the Sector Plan for ST&I. Increasing the quantity and quality of science popularization and education activities in the country through the development of science centres is an important element of advancing this strategic area. By supplementing conventional science population activities, Science Centres assist in tackling ST&I public communication and advocacy issues by broadening social inclusion and reducing regional imbalances.

Background

Although there are 600+ science centres worldwide, Kenya has none. Kenya’s first exposure to science centres was participation by a Kenyan delegation Ministry of Education science and technology, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Kenya Wildlife Service and African Virtual University in the 6th Science Centre World Congress, held in Cape Town, South Africa, in September 2011. Since that time, there have been intensive capacity building activities, including tours of science centres and participation at three science centre conferences in South Africa (2013, 2014, 2015); the Science Centre World Summit Brussels, Belgium (2014), tour to science centres in New York State in US tour to centres in Montreal and Toronto and participation in the conference of the Association of Science-Technology Centers (2015) in Montreal, Canada. These trips were part of a strategic long-term program to develop future leaders and managers of science centres in African countries.

The science centre concept was first introduced in Kenya through a science centre exhibition at the 1stNational Science Technology and Innovation Week in May 2012. It’s through the attendance to workshops, participation in regional and international conferences and National exhibition that a science centre was conceived at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)-Biotechnology Research Institute (BRI).

A pilot science centre at KALRO is situated within one of the BRI buildings. It is steered by a team of six volunteers who have to nurture it to date and recognize the need for a science centre in Kenya. Many students have taken part in science learning activities at this informal science corner. The science centre team has provided science tours for schools and organized youth visitations interested in learning science.

Mission and vision

MISSION

To promote science, technology, and innovation through science experiences that engage, challenge, and inspire exploration and understanding of the world around us.

VISION

A brighter future for Kenya’s youth through science and technology.

 

Main Scope

The science centre will concentrate on general Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) will also include exhibits on subjects important to Kenya, such as;

  1. Agricultural Science
  2. Climate and Weather Forecasting
  3. Lifesaving skills

 

ACTIVITIES

The science centre strives to bring the newest developments of science to the public in a simple, easy to understand way. Some of our activities that involve exhibitions and demonstrations include:

NB; in all exhibitions, safety will be handled and addressed to children before exhibitions

PLANNED PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES

The Science Centre plans to develop one or more interactive exhibitions over the coming years on topics such as:

WAY FORWARD

    Popularizing the concept of the science centre through the national and county governments

    Create and display science centre exhibitions at the regional level

    Seek partnership opportunities and support from both science centres and stakeholders

 

April 2016

 


Appendices

  IMG_3378

Sciencenter, Ithaca, New York, USA                                South Africa; Mamelodi Science Centre

Science Centre Team                                                                              Science corner.

A school visitation at the Science Centre

Letters of support