UNESCO and UNN to hold Science Fair and Experiments for undergraduates and secondary schools
The most recent advances in methods of teaching and learning science would be on display next week as the University of Nigeria collaborates with UNESCO and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) to mount a three-legged Science Fair from June 17-22.
The UNESCO-UNN Science Fair would feature a micro-science and global water experiment, mobile learning science workshop as well as engineering without borders science outreach training for science teachers and students.
About 1200 students and 85 teachers from secondary schools in the neighbourhood of the University would participate in the workshops and carry out practical experiments with the latest tools. They would participate in the UNESCO-IUPAC micro science and global water experiment designed to offer secondary school students the opportunity to conduct practical works in physics, chemistry and biology, using kits that come with booklets describing the experiments. The kits are veritable mini-laboratories that are compact, affordable and can be reused. UNESCO developed them in the late 1990s within the framework of International Basic Science Programme.
The UNESCO-ICTP Mobile-Learning Workshop, the first of its kind in Africa, is targeted to guide academic staff in developing countries to be conversant with the newest mobile educational possibilities and the creation of scientific contents for mobile devices. The programme offers a balanced mix of technical details, general overview, societal impact and a sense of possibility with 'Scientific Mobile Learning'. The training will accommodate 100 members of the academic staff and will be held at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium of the UNN.
Vice Chancellor Prof Bartho Okolo said the University is collaborating with UNESCO on the projects as part of efforts to ensure that UNN operates at the highest global standards in teaching and learning.
It would be recalled that UNESCO in February inaugurated a Scientific Advisory Board and flagged off the commencement of the International Biotechnology Centre UNESCO Category 2 at the University of Nigeria.