Translating Science into practice. The practice speaks more than the theory.

Translating Science into Practice: My Journey from Classroom to Reality

As a young girl, one memory from my primary school days stands out: whenever I asked my teacher a question, his response was always the same—"Do it, or try to do it." I often felt embarrassed by his reply, but that challenge lit a spark in me. I became determined to show my classmates that I could not only understand the lessons but also apply them in real life. This "doing" mindset fostered a sense of responsibility in me, and I learned so much more through practice.

At home, my mother noticed my enthusiasm for turning theory into reality. She was impressed by how I brought everything I learned in class to life in our home. I would experiment with molding, drawing, crafting, reading aloud, gardening, cooking, sewing, and even making bricks. My home became my personal laboratory. With every task, whether big or small, I felt a deep sense of accomplishment, especially when my efforts were appreciated and encouraged. These experiences taught me the value of hard work and innovation.

However, when I transitioned to secondary school, things changed. I missed that hands-on learning environment. My school lacked the necessary laboratories and equipment, and everything we learned was confined to theory. There were so many fascinating subjects, yet we had no practical means to explore them further. It felt frustrating, as my passion for learning by doing was hindered. One example stands out vividly.

During a Geography lesson, our teacher was discussing landforms, focusing on glacier and desert features. The teacher was brilliant at explaining the concepts, but for the entire class, including me, it was hard to grasp without seeing or practicing what we were learning. We were all left imagining what glaciers and deserts might look like in real life. In self-study later that evening, one of my classmates asked if I understood the lesson. I confidently replied, "Yes, I understand the theory, but I can't tell you how to experience or practice it."

My classmate, still confused, asked me to explain glacier formation. That was my golden opportunity. Using all the creativity I could muster, I broke it down for him, narrating the process in a way that made sense. By the end, not only had he understood, but so had a few others who were listening in. They were thrilled, and it was a moment of pride for me.

The next Geography session, our teacher revisited glacier formation, this time explaining it with the same clarity I had used with my classmates. As he spoke, I couldn't help but shout "Aha!" loudly, realizing how closely his explanation mirrored my own. The teacher, unaware of the connection, thought I was disrupting the class and punished me for making noise. I was upset, but after the session, I summoned the courage to ask him about the practical application of the topics. Unfortunately, even he admitted that the school lacked the resources for hands-on learning.

Ironically, when our final exams came, one of the questions was about glacier formation. Most of my classmates remembered the topic—not because of the teacher’s lessons, but because of the story of my punishment, which had left a lasting impression. The lesson from this experience is clear: Translating science into practice is essential.

In today’s fast-paced world, scientific innovations are advancing at lightning speed, yet in many developing countries, we are still lagging behind. Often, all that's needed to close the gap is access to basic equipment that allows students to practice and bring the theories they learn to life. Imagine the difference it would make if schools were equipped with just a few essential tools, like:

• A high-quality microscope with a camera for visualizing biological systems,
• Basic PCR machines for plant biotechnology experiments,
• Drones and accessories for precision agriculture practices, and other essential laboratory equipment.

At Sokoine University of Agriculture, the government has made significant efforts to build a multipurpose laboratory for undergraduate and postgraduate students. However, we still lack many vital pieces of equipment, limiting the potential for hands-on learning. We would be grateful to anyone willing to contribute laboratory equipment to our student teaching labs. Our needs span across all STEM fields, including biology (especially plant biotechnology), zoology, botany, soil science, and human biology.

As my journey has shown, translating science into practice not only enhances understanding but also sparks innovation. With the right tools, we can equip the next generation of scientists and innovators with the skills they need to tackle the world’s challenges

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