Presenting the case for science centres in Malawi.
A very enthusiastic somewhat creative science communicator in training from Malawi studying in Australia who completed a fellowship in Cambridge as a science engagement tourist.
My PhD project at the University of Western Australia is looking at science and culture in Indigenous and multicultural school groups in Malawi and Australia. Investigating the connections make between science and culture through student production of digital stories (short personal narrative films).
The term science engagement tourism is the phrase I had coined for my six month trip to Cambridge on a fellowship at the Centre of African Studies on the Public Understanding of Science in Africa. I visited many events, activities, institutions, centers, projects ( Millenium Maths, Naked Scientists, Wellcome Collections, Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology, Science Museum) involved in promoting science with the idea of adapting some of them for Malawi, where most people consider science something found only in secondary school textbooks. I documented in print, exhibition and film African Science Heroes, Afrrican scientists who have made considerable contributions to science. In this way I hope to generate a sense of pride in our African science accomplishments and promote public engagement with science. Join me on my science exploration!
Me at Mary Mount in Malawi, encouraging girls to pursue careers in science.
Great, impressive and fascinating stuff. I have never heard of a science engagement tourist before. Here is to wishing you all the the success in your scientific exploration endeavours and God bless!
Hey, do your thing! This sounds great and exciting at the same time. All the best.
Muza, sounds fantastic. Your blog entries are informative as well as entertaining. Will definitely follow.
brilliant project; congratulations.
steve
well done. looking forward to seeing your findings
I just love this blog. Its engaging because it informs and entertains as well. Its so fluently articulated and I can’t belive you are a black person from deepest Africa.
In this blog I have found a source that may prove to be bottomless well of articles my unethical alter ego might plagiarise..heee-heeee! I look forward to seeing you in Malawi and you better be as funny in person.
wait to read my next post on the science of homosexuality!
how insulting. why can’t you “believe” she’s a “black person?” stop watching so much tv, it’s not helping.
All interesting. You need to do a book after this and other similar activities.
Hi… I’m glad to have found your blog! I’ve included you in the African skepticism/science blogroll: http://ionian-enchantment.blogspot.com/2010/01/african-scienceskepticism-blogrolling.html
Do you know of any other African science blogs?
Unfortunately not….I know people who occassionally write on science but not specific African science blogs. if you do come across any I would love to know!
Just discovered your blog and I’ve no regrets. And being Malawian, I’m feel so proud. Way to go.
it is great seeing malawian women in the science field. i hope it is time to see a lot more ladies in the science disciplines. especially africans.
Great work. We are looking into develop experiential tourism in Queen Elizabeth National Park for tourists. I’d love to learn more of what you’re doing. perhaps we can share ideas about how to make science more interesting.
On a side note: I’m applying for Masters at University of Cambridge for 2011. wish me luck!
Cheers
jenn
Hello Jenn,
Pls excuse my ignorance but where is QE National Park? What kind of Masters are you applying for? Would be happy to share ideas with you on making science interesting….
Very impressive on how women are doing from Malawi.Keep on progressing
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Very useful info specially the last component
I care for such info much. I was looking for this certain info for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.
I like this web blog so much, saved to bookmarks .
some genuinely interesting points you have written.
impressed
Chauvinism is the greatest enemy to a country. Lets not get surprised when we hear of such achievements. Yes women are capable and have always been. Its just pathetic that we are socialized to see their success as a surprise.
Its a disease. Sad!!!
short hair beauty,
I am a professor of Biology in the USA (see link to our college website below). My students are going to start a project soon, which involves developing kits for high school laboratory classrooms. The focus on the experiments is infectious disease. We are also planning to build a solar-powered microscope and maybe a solar-powered, portable culture hood. Do you know of any science teachers in Malawi who migh be interested in trying out kits and collaborating with us. We would love to work with them if you do.
Thank you
I was just searching for Gondwes on the web when I saw your name and thought this is a girl I haven’t seen in about 20 years, hope u remember me. Your blog is so inspiring and it is so important for African girls especially to be aware of the possibilities that are there in science. So proud of you, hope u come to Zambia sometime soon
Thanks Niza! Its good to hear from you after such a long time! Thank you so much for your encouraging comments! Hope all is well with you and family in Zambia!
[...] African engagement with science. That is the objective of her blog, African Science Heroes. She explains what she aims to accomplish: I documented in print, exhibition and film African Science Heroes, [...]