MINISTRY OF EDUCATION KENYA TISP WORKSHOP AT HOTEL INTERCONTINENTAL NAIROBI KENYA 23 RD - 24 TH OCTOBER 2014 Developing and improving science fairs Presented by Mogoba Stephen ADQAS MOEST HQS
Highlights OVERVIEW HISTORY REFORMS BENEFITS CHALLENGES 31 October 2014 2
Overview KSEF-acronym, annual forum target-high school students Projects evaluation- public viewing during judging Incentives-awards & prizes -upgrading Purpose interest/accomplishments/ talent Vision 2030-development programme 2008 to 2030 Heavily focuses on application of STEM to raise productivity and efficiency across the economic, social & 31 political October 2014 Intel pillars ISEF 2014 3
Objectives Promote STEM subjects in secondary schools Demystify STEM subjects Create positive attitudes amongst teachers and students towards STEM Promote creativity, innovativeness and discovery approach to learning Give students chance to apply their ideas 4
Management Organization Committees/calendar/ hosting Judging-team/source/scheme Funding government/sponsors/items National finals hosting/ceremonies Categories talk and exhibit from 8 subjects Awards -trophies/certificates/other awards A yearly theme to guide the innovators* 5
Historical Background KSEF was started in 1962 as Kenya Science Congress (KSC) by KSTA. Targeted Biology, Physics and Chemistry subjects for secondary schools around Nairobi, the Capital city of Kenya. It acquired national outlook in 1965 The national finals were being hosted at Kenya Science Teachers College (KSTC). 6
Background later renamed Kenya Secondary School Students Congress on Science and technology (KSSSCST) and now KSEF The range of subject entries was expanded in 1989 to 7. Subjects included: Mathematics, Agriculture, Home science and technology. Computer science was later included as a category in 2007. 7
Background In 1995 policy changed to make hosting rotational allowing each province to host. I:\KSEF WP 21-9-13.zip Prior to 2011 the congress was run from school, district, region and ended at the national finals. Event displays were dismantled after judging It celebrated golden jubilee in June, 2012 Chief judge reports 8
National event outside Nairobi 9
Constraints Inadequate funding by the government. Projects developed by students- professional input from teachers Sponsors contributions limited Incentives focused on certificates of participation and other tokens to students. Teacher morale 10
Constraints Capacity building workshops for teachers Input from institutions of higher learning Policies to support development of high quality science projects Judging focused on presentation 11
Exposure to international fairs In 2011 visit Eskom Expo for young scientists in South Africa. ISEF 2012 and 2013 Affiliated to the South African Eskom Expo for young scientists and Intel ISEF. One team to compete in Eskom Expo in 2012I:\photo gallery 12
Kenyan delegation in south Africa 2012 Eskom Expo 13
Transformation The Eskom Expo experience and ISEF were shared in mentorship workshop for teachers 2012 A repertoire of ideas were generated from the workshop that led to the transformation of KSC. 14
Shared experiences Categorization of projects focused on more specific fields identified instead of subjects. Volunteer Judging special awards judges and other judges. Training of educators during the finals Universities and other institutions of higher learning are highly involved. 15
Shared experiences Clear vision and mission that inspires all involved Projects identified and upgraded for international competitions. Entries made online in their website. Ethics committee to look at all issues of ethics. 16
Shared experiences International standards followed in the design and presentation of projects Judging emphasizes on the originality and scientific method approach. Display areas standardized and provided to schools for compliance Eskom Photos C:\Users\F4RM433WS124\Documents\nyan darua wshop 17
Reforms journey. Teachers empowerment workshop 2012 August 2013 Reform Workshop Sept 2013 Validation Workshop Nov 2013 Judges Empowerment Workshop Dec 2013 Regional Workshops 2014 Teams at ISEF Competitions 18
Output Categories have been reviewed from 16 to 11 and restrictions to talk or exhibit removed Presentation standardized to use of display boards and mounted projects left on site for public viewing Constituted Scientific Review Committee (SRC) to handle ethical issues at national level and schools have been asked to constitute Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)I:\reform team at work 19
Output cont. Judging scheme reviewed to lay emphasis on originality and use of Scientific method in project development Developed project guidebook to help new schools and upcoming scientists develop projects Reviewed the rules and regulations that have been published. 20
Output cont Mounted capacity building workshops for teachers and judges C:\Users\F4RM433WS124\Documents\Ju dges training Policy review to allow for the new reforms2014 KSEF 21
Benefits There has been tremendous change in the participation levels especially for girls and regions initially with very low representation at national finals. More teachers are now showing interest in the KSEF activities. Quality of projects has gone up Significant improvement in the performance of STEM at national examinations 22
Benefits Kenyan teams have participated in international fairs and this year we have two teams competing in this fair. Eskom Photos KSEF has attracted more sponsors There is wider publicity both in the print and electronic media Winning projects taken up for incubation 23
KSEF Sponsors Sponsors 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 MOE/KSSHA Publishers Pan African chemistry network SEPU HACO industries Intel NCST Kenya Nuclear Energy Board NACOSTI Universities 24
Challenges Inadequate funding from the government Lack of website to post fair documents and news/events Run as an additional activity within main ministry programmes There is no secretariat dedicated to run the fair 25
ASANTE SANA 26