The Study Of The Effect Of Science Camp Program In Zanzibar: Focus On Participation By Gender

ABSTRACT

This study examined the long-term impact of the Science camp program on academic performance in selected schools in Zanzibar. The study was carried on two Islands of Zanzibar between . The goal was to examine the impact of the Zanzibar science camp program on students’ enrollment and performance in sciences subjects. The significance of the study is that it sensitizes the public on the importance of participation in annual science camp programs. A descriptive correlation research design and Ex-post facto research design were used in the study. The study involved purposively selected students and teachers from purposively selected secondary schools, two from Pemba (Utaani and Fidel Castro secondary schools) and two from Unguja (Ben Bella and Lumumba Secondary schools). Document review, interviews and questionnaires were all used to collect data and descriptive statistics specifically frequencies, percentages and means were used to analyze quantitative data. The teachers’ level of participation in science camp was found to be moderate just like that of students. However, students’ participation was slightly lower than that of teachers. The study revealed that Fidel Castro and Lumumba have more girls taking sciences than boys while for Utaani the number of boys was greater than that of girls by one. The findings further showed a significant difference in students academic performance between those who had attended science camps and those who had never. It was also discovered that teacher’s participation in science camp has a moderate impact on teachers teaching approaches and application of the approaches suggested in science camps had stimulated students’ understanding of science subjects. Thus it can diligently be deduced that participation in science camp program positively affects students’ enrolment for sciences, teaching and performance of students in science subjects. Therefore, the researcher recommends that more resources be allocated to science camps so that v more teachers and students benefit. However, what is taught in those camps should also be in line with the national curricula.