Shaping the future through young scientists

This year’s STAN/Mobil science contest presented an opportunity for innovative pupil scientists and their teachers to demonstrate their resourcefulness and creativity, ETIM EKPIMAH writes

That the winners of the 2013 project category of the Mobil/Science Teachers Association of Nigeria science contest for pupils are creative is to say the least.

With a bomb-detecting device and a fuel-less generator, the winners dazzled the organisers and those who attended the National Science Project and Quiz Competition in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The contest is an initiative of STAN, in collaboration with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and Mobil Producing Nigeria.

Agreed, the contestants, who came from different parts of the country, presented many science projects, but the bomb-detecting device produced by Temitope Bolawole and Adebola Duro-Aina was adjudged the best.

Bolawole and Duro-Aina, each aged 15 and in SS2 at Dorego Private Academy, Ipaja, represented Lagos State in the competition.

 Again, an energy, conserving device by Mr. Olanipekun Eweje, a teacher from Ekiti State, clinched the ultimate prize for projects in the teachers’ category. Interestingly, he won the prize for the same category last year.

In this year’s contest, he worked on power, which, he noted, had hindered the country’s development.

Eweje said, “For some time, industries in Nigeria have been relocating to Ghana due to power failure and it has contributed greatly to unemployment. To solve this problem, we do not have to depend on the Kainji Dam and other power stations if there is an alternative way by which we can generate power, like it is done in other parts of the world.

“I worked on ‘fuel less’ generators for rural dwellers. Most of our teachers are not enthusiastic about working in the rural areas because life there would be a bit hectic, with no electricity, no access to information or pipe-borne water. The least you can do is to make provision for them to have access to radio, watch television or power their handset without wasting so much money on fuel. That is the device I have come up with as my project.”

 He added, “It consumes less fuel and depends on a DC source. I power a DC motor using a DC source. The remotor then rolls an alternator, which generates current to the battery. The battery dissipates energy to roll the DC motor; the alternator charges back and you now have a low output of the alternator. The power coming out might be very low, but it is a breakthrough and I intend to advance on it to get a better result”.

Eweje, who called for assistance, especially from the government, noted that many projects of budding scientists in the country ended up on the shelves.

He said, “There is no encouragement to carry on after STAN. Many of the projects are at the preliminary stage and still need much work to for us achieve something better. So, the government can come to our aid by distinguishing projects that are very good and encouraging those in the field.

“The difference between Africa and the advanced world is the level of commitment to promoting research work. In Nigeria, even when you are ready to work, there is the challenge of power, and there is no facility to standardise your work.”

 For Temitope Bolawole, the choice of a bomb-detecting device is to help check the incidence of violence in the country. According to her, many Nigerians have died in recent times due to terrorist activities.

She said, “Until recently, bombing was not common in Nigeria.  But today, it is the most pressing security challenge the country is facing. So, we decided to invent a project, which would help to minimise the loss of lives due to bombing, and did this through the identification of bomb explosives.”

 The activation of the device, she added, was by radio or electromagnetic signals.”

Giving an insight into its preparation, Duro-Aina said, “We have an antenna in our radar and we have an oscillating circuit. We used a voltage-controlled type circuit that is the range of the bomber at 109,445 megahertz. We can use the circuit to determine and calculate the range and detect the bomb.”

The device, she noted, could as well detect a bomb even before the bomber comes close to cause damage.

She added, “The device scans for signals in case anyone is carrying a bomb. It scans for the oscillator in the bomb and once it finds it, there is a release of a buzzer. The buzzer carries about 3,000 volts, so it renders the bomber ineffective for a few minutes thus aiding the security to apprehend the bomber before he could carry out the attack.

 Like Eweje, Bolawole also urged the FG to rise to its responsibility and not to politicise science development.

She said, “Nigeria is one of the countries focusing on politics, so we want the country to put aside politics and focus on finding a lasting solution to this menace, which has taken so many innocent lives.

“As we can see from this exhibition, there are many wonderful projects; so, if government can just look into the local resources, we do not have to go outside and cry for help.”

The Manager, Medicine & Occupational Health, Mobil Producing Nigeria, Dr. Ayodele Fagbemi, said this year’s conference theme, “Attaining the Millennium Development Goals through Science, Mathematics and Technology Education,”  was apt.

He said, “Science and technology are not just integral parts of the future; they hold the key to the future. Through science, we have been able to conquer impossibilities and make the world a better place to live.”

According to him, Exxon Mobil Corporation is a company whose foundation rests on science and mathematics.

He added, “As an affiliate, MPN is not different. It is understandable that we see a responsibility for the public and private sectors to encourage and nudge these young minds towards opportunities open for them to shape the future through science and technology.”

He noted that the firm’s affiliates in Nigeria had provided classroom blocks, laboratories and teachers’ quarters, among other infrastructure in many schools.

While hailing STAN, he said the association, over the years, had trained and groomed not only teachers but also young budding scientists.

He said, “We commend STAN’s unwavering dedication to attracting students to science-related fields and to ensuring that anyone who wishes to become an engineer, mathematician, or scientist will have that opportunity. We also congratulate the over 300 pupils and students from primary and secondary schools across the federation and the Federal Capital Territory who have been competing in the various science quiz and project categories.

According to STAN President, Mr. Amos Cirfat, the competition is helping in providing answers for STEM education.

He said, “We are making efforts to provide the type of STEM education that would ensure that we meet the challenges of the 21st century knowledge-based society.”

He commended NNPC/ExxonMobil for supporting the competition, adding that STAN some years ago, honoured the firm as one of its institutional patrons.

In the primary school quiz category, Delta State topped the contest with 112.25 per cent, while Osun State came second with 105.75 per cent. Cross River State came third with 101.00 per cent.

Students of Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja, representing the Federal Capital Territory, emerged winners in the secondary school science quiz category, with 127.00 per cent. Abia State came second with 122.00 per cent, while Akwa Ibom State came third with 115.50 per cent.