Since 2017, Gambia Ocean Heroes has organised school outreach activities to educate students, particularly those interested in the sciences. These programs collaborate with schools in all seven regions in The Gambia, providing students with valuable, hands-on knowledge. The outreach activities aim to support teachers by providing students with practical experience to encourage stewardship in the in the fields of marine and environmental sciences.
A major highlight of these activities is that students have the opportunity to use basic hand-held scientific tools to test and analyse different water samples, gaining insights into various types of water and learning to identify the various samples based on physical properties. Additionally, students have the chance to collect terrestrial data on air quality, temperature, among other factors.
This practical approach not only teaches students the differences between saline, brackish, and freshwater but also equips the students with essential skills for future studies and careers. Another activity conducted at the school was a fun food pyramid game, called “Who Eats What?” The participants arranged organisms according to the food chain, giving students a visual understanding of the importance of biodiversity, ecosystem balance, energy transfer, and trophic levels.
Our commitment to transforming the narrative of science education in The Gambia is unwavering. It is crucial to develop initiatives that help nurture young minds and science enthusiasts from an early age by involving them in science-related activities. Our school outreach activities aim to provide students with practical experience of what is taught in the classroom, thereby empowering knowledge and skills that will be beneficial for future careers.
~Fatou Sowe
