The economic viability of a nation is pivoted on her
science-based activities, and a country without a strong science culture and
education will remain a consumer nation and parasite to developed nations.
Science is the pillar of economies and democracies of nations! More so, demand
on scientific research is now very high as it is the key to solving society’s
critical problems related to food, health, energy and so on. And a country
without a greater percentage of her populace actively engaged in science will
find it difficult in meeting all these challenges. In the face of these global
demands, what becomes of our nation? Can we still make science-based decisions
in future when many of our students no longer do well or show interest in
sciences?
It is now crystal-clear that the number of young
people pursuing careers in sciences in our present-day society has dropped
precipitously. The few that have braved it up in majoring in sciences have also
found their participation hobbled by a defective background.
A number of factors conspire in reducing the number
of young people pursuing careers in sciences. The few numbers of industries in
the country has played a leading role. The few number and low productivity of
research institutions in Nigeria have also but made matters worse. The earning
prospects in fields that are not science-related have again reinforced the
inclination of parents and students towards other careers. This has also been
escalated by the fact that students hardly find very successful and renowned
scientists in Nigeria whom they can have as role models. (Although many
Nigerians have excelled in their disciplines in science, but many students in
primary, secondary and even in tertiary institutions, do not know them.)
Studies have shown that loss of interest in sciences
by students begin in primary school and accelerates through their secondary
school years. In fact, by the time the student finish junior secondary school,
or gets to his terminal class in senior secondary school, it is already too
late for any remedy.
Pursuing careers in sciences, just as in every
field, requires preparation – one which is not only monetary, but of the mind.
The mind of a would-be scientist is a most significant factor in the training
of a good scientist, and a poorly prepared mind will find no footing in it.
There is no point going into science without knowing what is expected of, and
what should characterize, scientists. This, to a large part, is why many
students and even some trained scientists are not doing well in their fields of
sciences.
Responding to the above calls for going back to the
basics! The seminar, Foundations for Future Great Scientists,
is therefore a promising tool that will, to an extent, salvage this ugly
situation. It is to be presented in all the junior secondary schools in the FCT
Universal Basic Education Board, Abuja. The aims and objectives follow:
Ø Stimulating
young peoples’ interest in sciences
Ø Increasing
the number of would-be or aspiring scientists in secondary and tertiary
institutions
Ø Exposing
the mind of students on why becoming a scientist or choosing a career in
science should be a most promising option
Ø Enhancing
students performance and productivity in science
Ø Etching
in the mind of the students attitudes that will make them great, as scientists
in future or in whatever pursuit they may choose
Ø Motivating
and challenging students towards contributing their quota in similar ways other
young people have contributed to the development of our global community
Ø Birthing
visions that will drive young people to their future great innovations and
discoveries.
This seminar series is justified by the following:
Ø Apathy
in science by young persons in junior and senior secondary schools
Ø Reduced
number of young people pursuing careers in sciences in tertiary institutions
Ø Poor
performance and productivity of students in sciences
Ø Students
and parents erroneous view that careers in sciences (other than medicine and
engineering) are not financially rewarding
Ø Less
motivation and inspiration in young persons aspiring to major in science.
This seminar series is basically an effort towards
salvaging the above situations, and it will begin January 2015. It is also not to last for more than two hours. The
presentation itself is going to be power-point with illustrations, photographs
and other aids that will drive home our points. It is also school by school and
we hope to visit all the junior secondary schools in the FCT Universal Basic
Education Board. Activities to be conducted will among others include:
Ø Lecture
presentation (power-point)
Ø Video
clip presentations on the activities of scientists
Ø Questions
and answer section
Ø Very
light refreshment.
We hereby call on organizations and well-meaning
individuals to support in this project. If you may want to support or you would
like to know more about the project or you have ideas to contribute, please
feel free to contact me on 08064383985
or chigozieubani@yahoo.com
CHIGOZIE
UBANI.
Presenter,
Foundations for Future Great Scientists
And
Chairman, Global Science Development Initiatives
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