DIEM visits Sciennes Primary School (29/02/2012)

On the 29th of February, project DIEM visited Sciennes Primary School. The topic of the workshop:  Trip to the moon - Energy transfer. It was our second visit to the school this year and we are hoping to come back soon! Here are some remarkable moments from our visit.

                                         Introduction to various types of energy.

                                         First discussions and design ideas

                                         Discussions and design ideas

                                         One team found the best sollution to the problem.

                                         Last touches before the demonstrations.

                                         Pulley.

                                         Our team after the workshop.

Closer Look: Aims and Objectives

There exists a link between an intermediate technology and the community it is intended for, this link is known as 'intermediate education'. This is the technical and scientific teachings behind an intermediate technology, which enables a community to understand and more fundamentally accept a beneficial technology.

Project DIEM aims to facilitate and encourage the teaching of science in developing countries to assist sustainable development. We will achieve this by producing a comprehensive science and technology education manual that will enhance the standards of science teaching by focusing on “experimental learning”.

This project is designed to target the way in which we implement projects in the developing world. It has three specific objectives:

(1) to allow technological ideas to be gently explored by the host communities.

(2) To trigger an understanding of a need, encouraging a demand for technologies.

(3) To allow more in-depth participation from communities with little or no scientific background.

In order for the objectives to be met the following phases need to be carried out;

1) Become familiar with local area

2) Establish and affirm relationships with local schools and partner NGO’s

3) Perform intermediate education workshops

4) Develop our understanding of the way how audience thinks through qualitative research and adjust material accordingly.

5) Continuously log and assess the impact of the project and the appropriateness of material.

6) Attempt to establish relationships with key individuals in the schools.

Analysis will be presented in the form of test results (quantitative research) to measure the effectiveness of the science workshops and social interaction with our audience in order to gauge their enthusiasm for hands on learning. Test results will be analysed on a statistical base and discussed with the UK teachers from whom we will be able to conclude the effectiveness of our material.  With definitive results and hands on experience we will be able to build better science workshops and offer better training for future members to aid the sustainable development of the project.