Abstract
When Cafe Sci started in Ugandan schools in 2009, it was rare for scientists to visit schools to talk about their research. Former students might speak at career days and the National Council for Science and Technology set up occasional school visits by scientists but the visits seldom focussed on the students’ interests in science and technology. The aim of Cafe Sci is to support informal, but respectful and rational, conversation between scientists and young people. With the support of the UK’s Wellcome Trust, the British Council and the Ugandan Ministry of Education and Sports, the Cafe Sci project began in Ugandan secondary schools, primarily in the area around Kampala and Mbale, in 2009. By the time the project finished in 2012, Cafe Sci had established itself in 35 schools as an effective route for scientists to meet young people to discuss issues in science and technology that came from the students’ interests. We ran about 400 cafes, as well as three conferences where students were able to share their experiences.
Highlights
Betty Kituyi Mukhalu is co‐ordinator of Café Sci East Africa
Ann Grand is a Visiting Fellow at The Open University, where she previously had been a member of the RCUK-funded Catalyst for public engagement with research
When Café Sci started in Ugandan schools in 2009, it was rare for scientists to visit schools to talk about their research
Summary
Betty Kituyi Mukhalu is co‐ordinator of Café Sci East Africa. Her passion for science is reflected in the success of Café Sci in Ugandan schools and in other informal science programs she co-ordinates, for example FundiBots – a programme that uses robotics to introduce young people to science, technology and engineering. When Café Sci started in Ugandan schools in 2009, it was rare for scientists to visit schools to talk about their research.
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