Science Circus Africa puts the FUN in STEM
22 March 2016
Science Circus Africa’s Zimbabwe tour running from 11-22 March, has reached over 5000 students and teachers from over 100 schools in Harare and Manicaland provinces.
Dr Graham Walker, founder of the Science Circus, completed the Zimbabwe leg following successful tours in South Africa, Botswana, Mauritius, Malawi, Zambia, and soon Namibia, which have reached over 65,000 people in southern Africa, with support from the Australian Government, through the Direct Aid Programs of the Australian Embassy in Harare and the High Commission in Pretoria. The project was founded by Dr Walker in 2013, with the Australian National University and Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre (Australia).
The Circus builds on decades of innovative science education in Australia, bringing science and technology to life using hands-on exhibition, exciting science demonstrations and teacher workshops using everyday materials.
Dr Walker said “it has been an incredible privilege to bring Science Circus to Zimbabwe. The students and teachers we’ve met along the route have shown me that Zimbabweans are passionate about education. I am confident that science education will continue to develop here in exciting ways, and existing gaps will be addressed”.
Speaking at a launch event held on 11 March at the Embassy for over 35 schools and attended by officials from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, students, and teachers, Australian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, H.E. Suzanne McCourt said "we are proud to have supported the Science Circus tour through Zimbabwe. Having seen the show myself, I know that science and science education can not only provide a career pathway, including for women and girls, but be genuinely fun and exciting.”
At the conclusion of the tour, Dr Walker said “The smiles on the children’s faces and enthusiasm for science were just fantastic, and the workshops for teachers were also a huge hit – they were amazed to discover engaging, practical science can be done with common materials.”
Science Circus Africa partnered with the Zimbabwe Science Fair to deliver the project. The local team received intensive training, equipment and in-school experience so they have the skills and resources to continue the Science Circus in Zimbabwe in the long term.
“Training the local team was a huge highlight,” added Dr Walker. “The Zimbabwe Science Fair team are an incredibly inspiring group of young people and I look forward to seeing the Science Circus grow here and become an energetic Zimbabwean-led initiative in the future, filling the gap in science education in Zimbabwe”.
“We’re excited about sharing the Science Circus with more provinces,” said Zimbabwe Science Fair President, Mr Knowledge Chikundi. “Projects like this are what we need to promote science and inspire the next generation of Zimbabwean scientists. The impact of the Science Circus Africa will go a long way in advancing STEM education in Zimbabwe.”
Dr Walker also expressed his thanks for productive collaboration with the Australian Embassy, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in Zimbabwe and to all schools involved.
