Science United Project

Team Leader

Erika Gillette

Solution overview

Our Solution

Tagline

Bringing the joy of learning and hands-on science to children who have experienced interruptions in their education

Pitch us on your solution

There are currently 1.2 million refugee children who are attending formal education where they typically spend two hours a day learning a language and math. Children six and under who are not eligible to attend formal school sometimes may receive education from NGOs in the camp and community centers. The solution that I am proposing is to provide science kits to NGOs who prove education to children in camps and community centers so that they are able to ask questions, observe phenomena, and communicate what they see. If scaled globally, this program would help millions of refugee children experience the joy of hands-on learning and help them to develop the scientific and critical thinking skills essential for participation and advancement in society.

What is the problem you are solving?

Many refugees face disrupted education, with as many as 88% not attending formal schools. Many of these children have recently arrived in refugee camps and community centers that provide them with significant venues to reengage and continue with their education, and for still many others, they provide these children with their very first experiences with education.

Active learning has been used as a foundation for the development of science curriculum, specifically pre-constructed science kits. A benefit of pre-constructed kits is that the children are excited to do the activities and the activities can lead to positive student attitudes. Teachers have reported that students who engage in active learning through pre-constructed kits are excited about science class and often look forward to and participate in activities. This can be especially true when the activities are personally relevant to the child. When students are surprised by the outcome of the activity, it supports their scientific curiosity and sense of wonder. This curiosity that comes from engaging in scientific practice leads to a desire for an explanation. This desire drives discovery.

Who are you serving?

We are currently working with refugees between the ages of 3-17. We have also developed professional development materials for volunteer teachers to support their teaching of the kits.

What is your solution?

To provide-hands on science kits to refugee children ages 3-6

Select only the most relevant.

Reduce barriers to healthy physical, mental, and emotional development for vulnerable populations
Prepare children for primary school through exploration and early literacy skills

Where is your solution team headquartered?

Athens, Greece

Our solution's stage of development:

Pilot