Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board sponsored science and innovation in high schools during the just concluded the Kenya Secondary schools’ Science and Engineering Fair 2017 National Competition. The four day event took place at Allidina Visram High School in Mombasa County from 14th to 17th June 2017 that brought together budding scientists from all corners of the country to showcase their innovations and creativity.
Over 600 students exhibited their innovations under theme Science and technology for actualization of vision 2030 in eleven categories that included: Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Food Technology, Mathematics, Physics, Environmental Science, Technology, Engineering and Energy.
This presented KNEB an opportunity to engage and sensitize the burgeoning scientists and innovators on nuclear energy who were interested in nuclear electricity generation and how it can assist the country achieve vision 2030. KNEB participated by way of exhibition and sponsoring three categories in Physics, Energy and Engineering. Winners of each category were awarded with a trophy and cash vouchers.
Speaking during the opening ceremony the Chief Guest Mr. Evans Achoki, Mombasa County Commissioner encouraged students to give their best in explaining their innovations, He Said ‘innovation has no boundaries in the world and can come from anywhere’. This was true as small schools and big schools were competing for top three positions in the respective categories.
Some of the notable guests who graced the fair included Hon. Josephine Sinyo, KNEB Board Member, Hon. Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir Member of Parliament of Mvita Constituency, Mr. Garvan McCann Deputy Ambassador Embassy of Ireland, County Director of Education, Senior Ministry of Education Officials and Dr. Moses Rugutt Director General National Commission for Science, Technology & Innovation.
The event was not limited to Science and Students from Mama Ngina Girls and Mtopanga High schools treated guests with traditional dances to colour the event. Unique to the fair was clapping as a form of appreciation were done in a scientific manner in terms of biology, chemistry and mathematical processes simulations ranging from waves, digestion process, factorials and hydrogen testing process among others.
Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board acknowledges the important role science and scientists will play in Kenya’s Nuclear power programme thus sponsors the Kenya Science & Engineering fair competition in addition to national science week that showcases innovations from High schools, Universities and technical, Vocational institutes.
KNEB has a robust programme for high school, technical institute and University students dubbed nuclear career talks that encourage students to explore opportunities that nuclear electricity generation will present in Kenya as the country looks forward to commissioning its first nuclear reactor in 2027.
Kenya Nuclear Electricity Board has always sponsored the Kenya Science and Engineering fair since 2014 through partnership with the chief organizers Ministry of education, state Department of Basic education.