DCE-UEW Inspires JHS Learners with Outreach Festival

Opening the event, Dr. Ernest Koranteng, Project Lead, underscored the relevance of chemistry beyond the laboratory. He urged participants to see the subject as a tool for addressing Ghana’s environmental and developmental problems. “Chemistry cannot be considered just chemical formulas or reactions we do in the lab. It is about time we use chemistry to solve real-life problems in our environments, especially to protect the environment for future generations,” he stressed.

Dr. Koranteng cited illegal mining and plastic waste pollution as critical issues requiring innovative chemical solutions and encouraged the learners to think of themselves as future problem-solvers.

Prof. Arkoful Sam, Dean of the Faculty of Science Education and chairman of the programme, praised the theme as timely and impactful. He recounted a success story of a past participant in the outreach who is now pursuing a degree in Medical Laboratory Science at the University of Cape Coast. According to him, the outcome demonstrates how initiatives such as the chemistry festival can ignite a lifelong passion for science among young learners.

“Through sensitisation, education, research and collaborations, we can empower the young ones to appreciate and embrace science,” Prof. Arkoful noted as he formally declared the festival open.

Delivering a message on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, the Immediate Past Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UEW, Prof. Victor Antwi, emphasised that chemistry is embedded in everyday activities, from cooking to farming, from medicine to environmental conservation.

Prof. Antwi encouraged the pupils to overcome the fear of science by embracing it as a friendly and practical discipline. “Unlocking the wonders of chemistry means recognising that everyday life is a living laboratory,” he explained. He highlighted chemistry’s role in health, agriculture, technology and environmental sustainability, adding that investment in STEM today would prepare Ghana for a future of innovators and problem-solvers.

The Head of the Department of Chemistry Education, Prof. Victus Samlafo, formally welcomed the participants and urged them to be curious throughout the activities. “A student who asks questions is a curious student,” he remarked, encouraging learners to fully engage with facilitators during demonstrations.

The outreach was packed with fascinating practical activities at different stands. Learners manufactured cleaning agents from simple household items, extracted DNA from bananas and experimented with invisible ink using turmeric.

They were further introduced to the “magic walking water” experiment, which illustrated capillary action in plants and the lava lamp demonstration which showcased the concept of polarity in solutions. Each experiment was carefully designed to connect chemistry principles to real-life applications, leaving participants both entertained and enlightened.

At the end of the day, facilitators expressed satisfaction with the active participation and discipline of the learners. The event reinforces UEW’s commitment to promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through community engagement and practical education.

The chemistry outreach festival not only showcased the wonders of chemistry but also inspired hundreds of JHS students to envision themselves as future scientists, innovators and leaders. For the Department of Chemistry Education and its partners, the event marked another milestone in their mission to use science education as a powerful tool to unlock a brighter tomorrow for Ghana.