ACRISAT!


NESTA (the National Endowment for Science , Technology and the Arts is funding an exciting project to enhance the take up of science by the African-Caribbean community – here’s Liz Rasekoala a NESTA Awardee, to explain:

The African-Caribbean Representation in Science and Technology (ACRISAT) project is an initiative of the African-Caribbean Network for Science & Technology, funded by a NESTA Learning Award. ACRISAT aims to improve the take up and perception of Science and Technology in education and at work, among UK residents of African-Caribbean origin, through developing exemplar projects, influencing decision makers, policy and practice, and engaging funders in work that will overcome barriers faced by people of African-Caribbean origin, that prevent them from taking part in Science and Technology.

Some of the work that has been undertaken and which is of direct relevance to Science Teachers include the following: A poster series on the contributions of people of African and Caribbean heritage to Science, Maths, and Technology, for Key Stages 2, 3 and 4 which you can view here; a training CD-ROM for teachers, featuring ethnic minority parents offering constructive approaches to teachers, for the enhancement of their children's education (Ethnic Minority Parents Speak Out); and a schools role model programme to link up schools with African and African-Caribbean role models in Science, Engineering and Technology professions.

Liz Rasekoala

SCIENCE ALLIANCE

The Science Alliance project is part of NESTA's ACRISAT initiative which aims to raise the educational attainment of young people from African and African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds, as well as stimulating their interest in science and technology. The Creativity Centre Educational Trust is working with pupils from four schools in Brighton & Hove to create a science website. Using digital camcorders and still cameras, the pupils have captured their school science projects for the site and designed their own web pages.
The websitefeatures the children’s science work along with useful information and website links for both teachers and pupils.
Pupils taking part in Science Alliance develop their creativity and communication skills and have increased confidence with new technology, an appreciation of the contribution of African and African-Caribbean scientists and a more realistic perception of what it means to be a scientist. Participating teachers received additional support through information packs and useful links on the Science Alliance website.
You may also liek to know about the EMSET (Ethnic Minority into Science Engineering & Technology) Initiative. For more details and a downloadable report click here.
To celebrate Black History Month 2003, there are two new African American scientists in our Inspiring Lives feature in Out There, Granville T Woods and Daniel Hale Williams.