SCIENCE EDUCATION LITERACY FINE ARTS
MISSION STATEMENT
SELF International, Inc. is an organization whose mission is to promote literacy, creative education in science, math and the arts for all ages in U.S. communities
of need and targeted developing countries in order to heighten personal and national levels of academic achievement. This mission is rooted in hope and a
vision of social justice upholding the belief that all people are created equal and are equally deserving of quality education and that responsible stewardship of
our world is dependent upon an educated citizenship
OUTLINE
• History and Origins of SELF International• Ghana's Science/Math Gap• OGUAA Discovery Museum, Cape Coast.• The Vision: Three Phases• Museum of Science & Technology, Accra• Pioneering steps.
Mission of SELF International, Inc.
• Promote Science and Technology as useful tools in combating poverty
• Cultivate inquiry skills in children and encourage curiosity about the world
• Provide appropriate curricula, instructional technology and trained personnel
• Apply distance learning to supplement goals
ScienceSELF International approaches the subject of science by pointing out that science is all around us.
We encourage curiosity about everything that we see, feel, touch.
We advocate the use of knowledge to improve the quality of life for humankind
Science must be fun to learn.
LiteracyTo nurture a way of life that makes the individual a perpetual self-learner is our goal
Fine Arts
Blending the creative impulses present in scientific invention and the many forms of artistic expression present in society
Ghana’s potential to grow
• Multi-party democratic governance• Inflation reduced from 40% in 2001 to 11.0%
(2006)• Real GDP growth was 6.2% in 2006• Untapped skills and intellectual capacity• Government that respects the rule of law.• A vital strategic partner of USA in the West
African Region
The Current Achievement
• Literacy rates by country: Ghana is 177/204 nations with 57.6%.
• Literacy-Female: Ghana is 168/197 with 49.85, (Male-171/197 with 66.4%)
• Expenditure per student:• -primary 12.85% of GDP per capita• - secondary 34.53% of GDP per capita
Technology Indicators1995, 1998, 2001-02
• Computers per 100 people; 0.12: 0.30 : N/A • Telephone lines; 63,067: 179,594: 240,000 • Mobile-phone subscribers; 6,200: 42,343: N/A• Public telephone booths; 30 1,814 • Satellite dish subscribers; 0 :15,000: N/A• Internet host sites; 6: 253: N/A• Radios per 100 people; 23.1: 68.2: N/A• TVs per 100 people; 4.04: 35.2: N/A• Internet subscribers; N/A: 10,000: 400,000
• Source;Ghana Government home page
Information/Comm./Telecomm.
• Telephone mainlines (per 100 people) 1.1(2000) 1.5(2006) 2.5(Low-income group,2006) 1.0(sub-saharan Africa).
• International voice traffic (minutes per person)a 11(2000); 20(2006 )
• Mobile telephone subscribers (per 100 people) 0.6(00) 22.6(06); 14.3(low-income group,(06); 13.5(sub-saharan Africa,(06)
• Population covered by mobile telephony (%) 69(06); 40(Low-income group,(06). –World Bank
Information/Comm./Telecomm.
• Internet users (per 100 people) 0.1(00) 2.7(06) 4.2 (Low-income group, 06) 3.8 (Sub-Saharan Africa, 06)
• Personal computers (per 100 people) 0.3(00); 0.6(06); 1.4(Low-income group,06) 1.8(Sub-Saharan Africa,06)
• Households with a television set (%) 22(00); 26(06); 16(Low-income group, 06); 14 (Sub-Saharan Africa, 06)-World Bank
The Challenge
• According to a TIMSS* Report: • Ghana students compared to peers around the world were in the last position in Science for 8th.
graders, and last but one in Math for the same group • With an averagre score of 500, USA:502, Botswana:
355, Ghana:303 in Science• In Math, USA:508, Botswana:364, Ghana:309.
*Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, NCES, US Dept. of Education. 2007
Addressing the Math/Science Gap
• Provide creative hands-on activities for primary schools
• Create discovering environments for talented secondary school students
• Generate a family literacy approach to nurturing a science culture in society
• Establish useful enterprises that apply the sciences to solve local problems
Home to:
Ancient slave forts – Cape Coast Castle University of Cape Coast
Biriwa Resort Beach
Microclinic Headquarters
SELF International Inc: Launching in Cape Coast an Innovative educational experience in science, health education, and technological innovation across all ages
CAPE COAST
Oguaa Discovery Center
Building Complex (Projected)Departments:
• Inventor’s Workshop• Exhibits• Observatory• Aquarium• Research and Development
laboratory• Classrooms & auditorium• Botanical Gardens
Oguaa Discovery Center
• The complex of buildings will be on 40 acres• The buildings are to house permanent and
temporary exhibits on issues in health, energy, environment. etc.
• Classrooms, laboratories and workshops for educational programs including classes for field trips and invention events.
• Auditorium for conferences and guest speakers• Future Institute of Science
Oguaa Discovery Center
• Garden of medicinal plants eg. Artemisinin for malaria chemotherapy and Moringa oleifera-”miracle tree”
• Arboretum for agricultural Research• Commercial fisheries development near-
shore.
Tourism Revenue and Potential from Cape Coast
• Cape Coast Castle received 70,052(07) and 56,691(06) visitors earning along with Elmina Castle,C210,795.83 in 2007 and C146,641.68 in 2006. Most of these visitors came from overseas who also toured nearby Kakum Forest Reserve and Biriwa Resort Beach.
• Cape Coast is host to an annual influx of over 12,000 secondary school and 2000 university students.
NUCLEUS OF CHANGE
• Microclinic, a non-profit organization creating a basic health care and essential drug distribution model for developing countries is based in Cape Coast
• Following a franchise business model that combines ownership with proven operating, marketing, and distribution standards, MicroClinic empowers community health nurses to own and grow their own MicroClinic.
• Poverty and disease are inextricably linked. • Because MicroClinic focuses on a short list of
preventable diseases that account for 70% of childhood illnesses and deaths in Sub-Sahara Africa, it develops domain expertise for its nurse/franchisees and provides top quality service to those at the base of the pyramid.
Microclinic
Microclinic
• Malaria: Over one million die of malaria each year, including 2,000 children every day in sub-Sahara Africa. Malaria is estimated to have slowed economic growth in Africa by 1.3 percent per year.
Measles
Measles, also called rubeola, is a highly contagious — but rare — respiratory infection that's caused by a virus. It causes a total-body skin rash and flu-like symptoms, including a fever, cough, and runny nose
TuberculosisTuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by bacteria whose scientific name is Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It was first isolated in 1882 by a German physician named Robert Koch who received the Nobel prize for this discovery. TB most commonly affects the lungs but also can involve almost any organ of the body. Many years ago, this disease was referred to as "consumption" because without effective treatment, these patients often would waste away. Today, of course, tuberculosis usually can be treated successfully with antibiotics.
Tuberculosis
• A person can become infected with tuberculosis bacteria when he or she inhales minute particles of infected sputum from the air. The bacteria get into the air when someone who has a tuberculosis lung infection coughs, sneezes, shouts, or spits (which is common in some cultures). People who are nearby can then possibly breathe the bacteria into their lungs. You don't get TB by just touching the clothes or shaking the hands of someone who is infected. Tuberculosis is spread (transmitted) primarily from person to person by breathing infected air during close contact.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs which is usually caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Prior to the discovery of antibiotics, one-third of all people who developed pneumonia subsequently died from the infection. Currently, over 3 million people develop pneumonia each year in the United States. Over a half a million of these people are admitted to a hospital for treatment. Although most of these people recover, approximately 5% will die from pneumonia.
HIV/AIDS
• Objectives are:» accelerating the scale-up of ARV treatment and care; » maximizing health sector's contribution to HIV
prevention; » investing in strategic information to guide a more
effective response; » taking urgent action to strengthen and expand health
systems.
Diarrheal disease
What is it? Why does it occur?What can people do ?
---------------------------------------------------Diarrhea is loose, watery stools. A person with diarrhea typically passes stool more than three times a day. People with diarrhea may pass more than a quart of stool a day. Acute diarrhea is a common problem that usually lasts 1 or 2 days and goes away on its own without special treatment. Prolonged diarrhea persisting for more than 2 days may be a sign of a more serious problem and poses the risk of dehydration. Chronic diarrhea may be a feature of a chronic disease.Diarrhea can cause dehydration, which means the body lacks enough fluid to function properly. Dehydration is particularly dangerous in children and older people, and it must be treated promptly to avoid serious health problems.
Microclinic and Oguaa Discovery Center
The Oguaa Taylor Discovery Center as a world-class establishment integrated with the Microclinic health
initiative will seek to expand, research and apply knowledge that leads to new and expanded public
health improvement practices
Microclinic and Oguaa Discovery Center
• The two establishments jointly will serve as a repository of past and present efforts and achievements in combating tropical diseases.
• Our immediate efforts will focus on the above diseases and seek to connect our literary efforts to disease control, prevention and eradication
Evaluation
APPROACHES
• Get started immediately in Ghana and provide impetus to the Oguaa Discovery Center project
• We develop connections with persons institutions, potential corporate sponsors
• Provide hands-on engagement interventions designed to demonstrate to the Ghanaian community and our supporters in the USA what to expect at Oguaa Discovery Center
SELF
Microclinic
Science Education Literacy Fine ArtsInternational, Inc
THE VISION
Kojo Taylor Science and Technology Park
OGUAA DISCOVERY CENTERSCIENCE CITY
“I have proposed the name ‘Science City’ for this scientific community .” Nkrumah 1964
PHASE I: The Kojo Taylor Science and Technology Discovery Park
On the grounds of the OGUAA DISCOVERY CENTER will be the permanent installation of the Kojo Taylor Science and Technology Park.
A DISCOVERY TRAIL will lead visitors through a series of fun and educational revelations about
themselves and the world around them.
PHASE I: The Kojo Taylor Science and Technology Discovery Park
Enter through the front gates.
Explore the interactive science exhibits one by one along the path.
Stop for a rest on benches nestled in colorful gardens
Take a contemplative walk through a giant maze
Play a game of chess on a life size chess board
PHASE I: The Kojo Taylor Science and Technology Park
Learn how solar energy works at the collector installation. Build your own solar lantern.
Play a 21st century game of hopscotch on the life size periodic chart of elements.
Walk through the rings of a tree to see how it grows.
Study the clearly labeled herbs and vegetation of Ghana along the path.
Stop at the Lego Lodge to build your own robot.
PHASE I: The Kojo Taylor Science and Technology Discovery Park
Take part in the water harvesting demonstration and study Ghana’s water supply.
Experiment with a wind turbine or wind generator in the inventor’s workshop.
Learn how Compatible Technology is helping people process more nutritional food, and construct a food grinder yourself.
PHASE I: The Kojo Taylor Science and Technology Discovery Park
Enjoy a picnic in the pavilion, and sit at the Periodic picnic table.
Relax at a concert in the outdoor amphitheater.
Learn about Moringa, the “miracle tree” and how it increases the nutritional value of food. Try some Ghanaian food.
Shop in the village market.
PHASE I: Kojo Taylor Science and Technology Discovery Park
Put on a lab coat and see what malaria looks like under the microscope.
Learn what the Microclinic in Cape Coast is doing to fight malaria and other infectious diseases in Ghana.
PHASE I: Kojo Taylor Science and Technology Discovery Park
Bring the children to discover fun in learning at the Exploritorium
Watch teachers with their classes studying the natural wonders around them or making new discoveries in the computer lab
PHASE I: Kojo Taylor Science and Technology Discovery Park
Enjoy art exhibits by local artists and students at the Park in the sculpture garden.
Visit the cyber center.
Search NASA on line to find answers to your science questions
Watch a movie about global warming.
PHASE I: Kojo Taylor Science and Technology Discovery Park
OGUAA DISCOVERY CENTER
Before you go…Stop by and see the model and plans for the OGUAA DISCOVERY CENTER. Share the VISION for this self sustaining, ecologically green center of learning and exploration , the future center of science for Ghana
PHASE I: Kojo Taylor Science and Technology Discovery Park
The Discovery Park will charge an admission fee. Group rates will be available. Facilities can be reserved for weddings, parties, holiday events or other occasions.
Teachers and students are invited to participate in robotics competitions and inventors’ fairs to be held periodically at the park.
The Discovery Park will be a permanent installation to serve as the grounds and setting for the coming OGUAA Discovery Center.
PHASE I: Kojo Taylor Science and Technology Discovery Park
Together we can create a vision of hope for science education in Ghana. From these humble beginnings, the ripples of learning will spread from Cape Coast touching the lives of all communities and
preparing our children for the future.
Museum of Science and Technology (MST), Accra
• Currently MST sets a platform for pupils and teachers to expound, explain concepts and principles in the teaching and learning of science and mathematics.
• Pupils from basic four to basic eight in science clubs visit for hands-on activities and exhibitions
• Liaises with teachers to improve teaching
Objectives of Museum of Science and Technology.
• Stimulate interest in science and technology in children
• Show application of science and technology in industry for human welfare
• Encourage creative scientific talent in the younger generation
• Collect, preserve and display the achievements of science past and present
Programs: Museum of Science and Technology
• Schools/public tour guide in museum• Schools outreach program on science
education• Topical exhibitions(HIV/AIDS, water,
environment )• Annual science fairs for basic and secondary
schools• Object acquisition
Material Needs of MST
• An interactive permanent exhibition on environment and energy to stimulate public interest
• Audio visual equipment, teaching aids/models, documentary films, projector, etc for the teaching and learning of science.
• Well-equipped library.• Equipped laboratory for hands-on physics,
chemistry and biology
Material Needs of MST
• Computer library for information,communication and technology (ICT) training center.
• Van for outreach and research programs• Human resource development
Network
• Compatable Tecnology International St.Paul, Minnesota [email protected] •Leonardo’s Basement Minneapolis, Minnesota http://www.leonardosbasement.org•Innovations in Science and Technology Education, Minnesota www.hightechkids.org•The Bakken Museum Minneapolis, Minnesota http://www.thebakken.org•The Works Technology Discovery Center Edina, Minnesota http://www.theworks.org•Centaur Stride Inc. Westfield, New York•Mano a Mano Mendota Heights, Minnesota and Bolivia, South America www.manoamano.org•Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota•Hope College, Holland, Michigan
SELF International links with:
Epilogue
• In the 1800s, the British established the educational system in the colony which grew to become Ghana at Cape Coast. It has served well.
• Now, Cape Coast again launches Ghana and Africa on another adventure in education suited to the challenges of the coming generations. This three phase vision is the Wave of science education for the future.
GHANAMicroClinics GhanaTantri Lorry StationP. O. Box 366Cape Coast, GHANA027-736-7229
UGANDACountry RepresentativeMicroClinics UgandaP.O.Box 6541Kampala,Uganda
USAMicroClinics 310 Fourth Avenue So. Suite 1008Minneapolis, MN. 55415www.microclinics.com Phone: 1-866-319-9511Fax: 612-455-2504
USA SELF International, Inc.4233 Chicago Avenue So.Minneapolis, MN 55407Phone: 1-612-824-6110www.selfinternational.org.selfinternational@yahoo.com