The Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF), a Lagos based not-for-profit organisation has said that getting the young people interested in science is key to making the world a better place.
The organisation stated this recently at an exhibition held to commemorate World Science Day on November 27, 2023, held at the Government Senior College, Ikoyi, in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Education for Lagos State students .
Speaking during the opening of the exhibition Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary (TGPS) Lagos State Ministry of Education District III, Dr Mrs Olufunke Oyetola, said science plays a significant role in improving the quality of life and the exhibition provides an opportunity not only to nurture the skill set of the students to excel in life, but to provide the future generation with the much-needed direction to turn their ideas into reality.
The Tutor General said many of life’s challenges such as environmental degradation, healthcare gaps, technological issues are happening because people don’t have adequate knowledge how to deploy science to solve our daily challenges. For her, getting young people interested in science is key to making the world a better place as science helps solve problems, understand our world, create new inventions and make smart choices based on facts.
She congratulated Vcare Foundation for partnering with the Lagos State Ministry of Education to organise the science exhibition, adding that it will help make the study of science usual and not rare as young minds would not only to be interested in scientific activities but also to stimulate innovation among them.
Head, Public-Private Partnership, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr. Pot Sessi-Balogun, said science exhibition will help bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world applications.
He said: “Scientific literacy is important for assisting the future generation with tools and knowledge to navigate the complexities of the changing world. Science teaches students to solve problems, which consequently gives them an edge over others to thrive.”
VCDF said its vision goes beyond the exhibition to empowering young people with 21st-century skill sets. It said no fewer than 5500 students and 260 science teachers in Lagos State have benefitted from the various educational enhancement interventions and teacher capacity-building workshops for the inclusive development of the young generation.
VCDF said the science exhibition came about after a careful selection of selected schools following an orientation programme and a rigorous screening process.
Eight schools were selected and a total of 13 projects were presented at the exhibition which was the finale. Vcare said a total of 762 students and 22 teachers in Lagos Island were screened. The students developed scientific models, with themes centered around the following Sustainable Development Goals: Affordable and Clean Energy, and Climate Action.
Winners were declared based on the projects’ feasibility, creativity, and potential impact on sustainability and were facilitated with scientific models and tools. Brilliant science projects showcased during the exhibition not only enlightened the students but also captivated the dignitaries and guests at the event.
Among other dignitaries at the event are Dr. Mrs. Olufunke Oyetola, Mr. Pot Sessi-Balogun – Head, Public-Private Partnership, Lagos State Ministry of Education, and Mr. Hassan Ogunfuyi, representative of Director, Science & Technology, Lagos State Ministry of Education.