EDU-STEM AND EDU-LIT
Distance learning made the EduSTEM and EduLit teams more aware than ever of the importance of good online and community resources
EDUSTEM
In the Michaelmas term , we set about creating short videos detailing interesting experiments students in Ghana ( and beyond ) could complete at home or in their communities , using resources available locally . Examples of these were relighting a candle using smoke and creating a lava lamp to demonstrate the topics of combustion and density .
In the Lent term , we worked virtually to create plans for the EduSTEM weekly science clubs . Perhaps the best part was receiving videos back from the Ghanaian students showing the completed experiments , from making their own anemometers for measuring wind speed , to modelling tooth decay using eggshells . We compiled these videos with attempts of our own ( which unfortunately were not as elegantly done ) and showcased the student work across the EduSpots network .
We were also excited to work with the Ghanaian team to support resource creation for their STEM for a Sustainable Future summer camps , a successful trial of which was led by Nimatu , a gifted young scientist , in her home community in Savelugu , Northern Ghana . We are excited to hear that this project has now received funding for roll-out to four further communities from the Ashworth Charitable Trust .
Aashi Kotecha , Lower Sixth
EDULIT
We have focused on working with the Ghanaian team to create new literacy resources given the school closures in Ghana due to Covid-19 . We produced a series of non-fiction writing lesson templates for the leaders of the Spots to use . It was a challenge to reflect on how we learn and what makes good writing . Another new project focused on teaching parts of speech and sentence-building to younger children through the game Chatterbox .
We ’ ve also continued to work with community members and a Ghanaian illustrator on the children ’ s book series Kwame ’ s Adventures . The first one is now printed and in use , so we have been finalising the second book , Abofour and the Forest Fire . Additionally , we developed the phonics cards created last year into illustrated short stories , one of which , The Bee is Free , was distributed over the summer .
A highlight of our work was the book drive . In an inspiring collaborative project , we worked with ten other schools to collect over 20,000 books for 42 EduSpots libraries across Ghana .
Adeline Cheung , Lower Sixth
80 SERVICE AND COMMUNITY