District Science Fair

Science Fair is an initiative started by Peace Corps Volunteers in Mozambique.  It has since grown in popularity and was adopted by the Mozambican Ministry of Science and Technology. My job as a Peace Corps Volunteer is to assist my counterparts at the district and provincial levels to realize local and provincial fairs. The fairs are not only intended to increase science knowledge, but also to educate the communities about the prevention of HIV/AIDS. At all of the fairs there is an HIV/AIDS educational component as well as free HIV testing and counseling.  

The district fair took place on "Dia de Moamba" or Moamba day. The whole park was filled with people displaying their works. Our fair was part of this day. 

Here are some pictures from the district fair.

Here is my setup. As a chemistry teacher, I had a display of water, ethanol, sugar, and propane molecules. I also did the good old blow up a balloon with baking soda and vinegar. However, since the fair focuses on HIV/AIDS prevention, I used a condom instead of a balloon. We also partnered with a local organization to have condom distribution, testing, and counseling at the fair. 

Here are the kids that participated. 

Everyone was very interested in my experiment and excited to test their science knowledge. 

The judging

Magnesia, a 9th grader, won with her remedy for throat sores. She wowed us with her knowledge of vitamin content and function in her remedy. Here she is receiving her prize (backpack, notebooks, pens, and a Capulana) from the Administradora in front of the whole town.

1st 2nd and 3rd place. 2nd place was paper recycling by making really cool baskets with the rolled up paper. 3rd place was research into catching mosquitos using various attractants. They will all be going to the provincial fair. 

My counterpart standing next to our sign at the end of a long day.