Mochudi Teacher showcases innovative mobile laboratory
Q: Tell us about this Mobile Laboratory?
A: This mobile laboratory was motivated by lack of labs in primary schools and dilapidated labs in secondary schools. So this innovation was meant to address that so that leaners will be able to conduct experiments /practical work. What we call activity based learning. So this project we have water as one of the components and can be used for different practicals in the lab such as measuring volume, finding boiling point of water or any other practical that needs water. The second one is a portable Bunsen burner so we can conduct practicals that involve heat and the learners can extract knowledge from the practical.
Third is the electricity component and this electricity component has two outlets. This one is connected from the wall socket to this other outlet and learners can conduct experiment on circuitry. When there is no electricity we resort to solar. We have a solar panel used to recharge the solar battery. We have a separate outlet for the solar connection. We have a buzzer to demonstrate electricity for the lab. Basically the lab creates platform for learners to have activities and extract knowledge on their own.
Q: How long did it take to build this laboratory?
A: It took almost one year and three months to make it work.
Q: What was the response from other countries dignitaries at this event?
A: The response is that this is a good innovation and really addressed challenges that we are facing across Africa in as far as science learners is concerned especially the lack of functional laboratories in schools.
Q: Are you looking to commercialise it?
A: No Sir, we are government employees and the idea was to address challenges as we do our daily work. The plan is to upgrade the lab and with the sole purpose of aiding our country’s students.
Q: Will it ever be manufactures and exported to other countries?
Q: Tell us about this Mobile Laboratory?
A: This mobile laboratory was motivated by lack of labs in primary schools and dilapidated labs in secondary schools. So this innovation was meant to address that so that leaners will be able to conduct experiments /practical work. What we call activity based learning. So this project we have water as one of the components and can be used for different practicals in the lab such as measuring volume, finding boiling point of water or any other practical that needs water. The second one is a portable Bunsen burner so we can conduct practicals that involve heat and the learners can extract knowledge from the practical.
Third is the electricity component and this electricity component has two outlets. This one is connected from the wall socket to this other outlet and learners can conduct experiment on circuitry. When there is no electricity we resort to solar. We have a solar panel used to recharge the solar battery. We have a separate outlet for the solar connection. We have a buzzer to demonstrate electricity for the lab. Basically the lab creates platform for learners to have activities and extract knowledge on their own.
Q: How long did it take to build this laboratory?
A: It took almost one year and three months to make it work.
Q: What was the response from other countries dignitaries at this event?
A: The response is that this is a good innovation and really addressed challenges that we are facing across Africa in as far as science learners is concerned especially the lack of functional laboratories in schools.
Q: Are you looking to commercialise it?
A: No Sir, we are government employees and the idea was to address challenges as we do our daily work. The plan is to upgrade the lab and with the sole purpose of aiding our country’s students.
Q: Will it ever be manufactures and exported to other countries?
A: It is a good idea Sir, but I cannot say yes. It is the government that will venture into that project because that is at a higher level but what we have done here is for the workers for the Ministry and we have come up with an innovation on behalf of the Ministry.
A: It is a good idea Sir, but I cannot say yes. It is the government that will venture into that project because that is at a higher level but what we have done here is for the workers for the Ministry and we have come up with an innovation on behalf of the Ministry.
