UBIC Supports the 2015 National Science Olympiad

The 2015 National Science Olympiad – co-organized by UBIC and the Uganda Science Education Programme (USEP) – was a phenomenal success by all accounts. The three-month long event comprised a series of competitive secondary school fairs organized under the theme: Agricultural Productivity and Marketing Innovations for Improved Livelihoods.

The Olympiad took place over the months of June and July 2015 in the form of regional science fairs aimed at inculcating the values of team-work and independent research through a hands-on learning approach that is not always possible in the traditional classroom setting. Through a range of fun, engaging and very educative projects, students discovered how to adapt and apply scientific innovations in solving everyday challenges.

As a pilot activity, the Science Olympiad engaged 15 ‘focal' schools drawn from the five different regions country-wide. In the regional Fair competitions, students were challenged to go beyond their classroom studies to do independent project-based research, working in teams to address questions in the fields in agricultural production and enterprise.

Students worked in their individual schools with guidance from their teachers to hone their science projects in line with the theme. These projects were then showcased at the regional science competitive events, with the winners being awarded cash and other prizes towards enhancing science education in their individual schools. The regional winners were also advanced to the Grand National finale – the winners of which will be announced early next year. Mr. William Warugaba, USEP Executive Secretary commended the zeal and innovativeness of the participating students and stressed that the focus of the competition was on learning more than winning. "Whether or not a student wins, every student is celebrated and encouraged by the hundreds of other participating students, parents, teachers, mentors, sponsors, judges, and members of the public," he said.

Besides the utilitarian approach of the science fairs, students benefitted from the educative seminars and exhibitions on Biotechnology innovations for improved agricultural productivity in Uganda, which were facilitated by UBIC. The fairs were also greatly enriched by participation of the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) through its extensive network of institutes. For each regional event, Scientists from the nearest NARO institute demonstrated and mentored the students on various aspects of agricultural research and enterprises relevant for their regional context.

For more information about biotechnology in Uganda, contact Barbara Mugwanya at ubic.nacrri@gmail.com.