Science Week 2019

“The Science of today is the technology of tomorrow” – Edward Teller

Photo credit : Google

Science has changed our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity. The application of Science is valuable for satisfying many human needs and improving living standards. At the International School of Ahafo, we believe that a high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world and preparing children for the opportunities of the future. Science Week presents a unique opportunity to promote Science, engage our students and support their understanding of the world around them.  This year’s event was from 18^th to 27^th February 2019.

Teachers planned a full week of activities and children spent the first four days conducting various experiments and preparing for the exhibition. Children could work in pairs or groups and were required to conduct "green" experiments and avoid repeating experiments culled from the internet. There were several trials of experiments and children’s patience and resolve were tested beyond measure.

During the week, Sankofa busied themselves with learning about seeds, types, testing edibility and germination. They also wrote some scientific equations and experimented with walking colours, to demonstrate the cohesion and adhesion properties of water, and disappearing colour wheel to demonstrate the white illusion created by the rapid spinning of the wheels. For homework, they reduced their carbon footprint by making recycled paper and learnt about the weather and water cycle by making rain in a jar.

Nkyinkyim demonstrated how hot water rises and cold water sinks through an underwater volcano, how plants prevent soil erosion, adhesion and cohesion properties of water in travelling water and tested rock permeability and durability. For whole-school homework, pictures of famous scientists such as Dr. Ben Carson, Dr. Ashitey Trebi-Ollennu, Dame Jane Morris Goodall, among others were displayed on a notice board and children were tasked with researching them in readiness for a short quiz at line-up the following morning It was a massive success and great fun for the children who realized quickly that all these scientists were once like them with similar aspirations.

All activities for the week culminated in a Science Exhibition on Friday 22^nd February, to which all parents, friends and Science teachers from the Methodist School and Noble Family School were invited. The day began with a short assembly in the Library and the audience shared photos from class activities during the week. This was followed by the exhibition which was held at the Forecourt in order for parents to enjoy their children’s presentations in the coolness of the shade.

Exhibitions ran consecutively and enabled children to present their Science projects and to share their learning. Sankofa showcased their findings on the study of seeds, rainbow colours and disappearing colour wheels. They also had fun popping corn and explaining the science behind it.

Nkyinkyim worked in groups to present the findings of their experiments on soil erosion and under water explosion.

Some of the projects showcased by Gye Nyame bordered on which beverage stains teeth, testing the PH of household chemicals, the viscoelasticity of magic kinetic sand and Greenhouse effect.

Nyansapo considered the effect of age and gender on the ability to interpret facial expressions, 5-sec rule/ growing bacteria and etc. The event finished around 9.30 am and children returned to class.

There was so much to learn during Science Week and Great Scientists Florence Ama Frimpong, Dela Dzide-Tei were awarded with certificates. Every child in Sankofa also received a certificate of participation. Thank you to everyone who contributed in diverse ways towards another wonderful Science Week.