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English (United Kingdom) Practical Learning, Critical Thinking and Environmental Action at Kasese Municipal High Humanist School in Uganda
From 28 September to 2 October 2026, students at Kasese Municipal High Humanist School took part in a week of hands-on scientific learning, experiments, field activities and environmental initiatives as part of the school’s annual Science Week. The aim was to strengthen students’ scientific literacy, critical thinking and practical problem-solving skills, and to demonstrate how observation, experimentation and evidence help us distinguish reliable knowledge from assumptions and wishful thinking.
Science comes to life when students move beyond textbooks and investigate the world for themselves. Throughout the week, learners explored how scientific knowledge and methods can be applied to agriculture, health, environmental conservation, technology and community development.
From Scientific Concepts to Real-World Applications
The programme began with an introduction to scientific thinking and project planning. Students discussed how projects are developed, how challenges can be identified and addressed and how ideas can be turned into initiatives that benefit communities.
Participants also learned about scientific communication, including the importance of using clear and precise language when describing observations, evidence, and conclusions.
Geography and Modern Technology
The second day focused on geography and navigation skills. Students worked with maps and grid references and learnt how Global Positioning System (GPS) technology is used for navigation, positioning, and collecting geographical data.
By combining traditional map-reading skills with modern GPS technology, students learned how geographical knowledge can be applied to navigation, positioning and data collection in everyday and professional contexts.
Learning Through Experimentation
Science Week offered plenty of opportunities for hands-on experimentation.
Experimentation lies at the heart of science; rather than accepting ideas simply because they seem plausible or correspond to our desires, we test hypotheses against reality. This is how science produces reliable knowledge and protects us from wishful thinking. Even when students investigate well-established theories, conducting the experiments themselves helps them to understand the evidence on which those theories are based.
Students investigated the effects of temperature on diffusion, explored Hooke's law through hands-on measurements and applied mathematical reasoning to solve practical problems.
Agricultural activities included preparing organic fertilisers and discussing sustainable farming practices, soil health, and environmentally responsible food production.
Chemistry sessions allowed learners to observe chemical reactions first-hand, including experiments involving heat production, neutralisation reactions, solubility, and the effects of heat on salts.
Through these activities, students practised making observations, taking measurements and comparing results with scientific expectations.
Environmental Stewardship in Action
One of the week's highlights was a large-scale tree-planting activity involving students and teachers.
As part of a broader commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability, indigenous trees, fruit trees and species with medicinal value were planted across the school grounds.
The students also set up a tree nursery to provide seedlings for future planting activities and to support outreach efforts within the local community.
This initiative showed that science education is not only about understanding the natural world. It can also provide the knowledge needed to take responsible and practical action.
Exploring the Diversity of Life
Biology activities included taxonomy exercises, during which students examined and classified various insects. They also carried out food tests using laboratory reagents to identify the nutrients present in different food samples.
These practical sessions strengthened students’ observational skills and their ability to draw conclusions from evidence.
The Director's Perspective
But what long-term goals does the school pursue through its regular Science Weeks? We asked the director, Robert Musubaho Bwambale. He replied:
At Kasese Municipal High Humanist School, we organise Science Weeks to inspire students to appreciate science, develop critical thinking, and understand how scientific knowledge can help address real-life challenges in their communities. We believe that education should go beyond classroom theory by giving students opportunities to conduct experiments, ask questions, explore ideas, and develop practical solutions based on evidence and reason.
Through Science Weeks, we aim to nurture curiosity, creativity, innovation and confidence among our students while encouraging them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Our hope is to raise a generation of young people who use science and humanist values to improve their communities, protect the environment, and contribute to a healthier, more sustainable and prosperous future.
Why this matters
Scientific Temper believes that science education is about far more than academic achievement. It equips young people with the skills to think critically, evaluate evidence, solve problems and engage constructively with the challenges facing their communities and the wider world.
By learning to test ideas against observation and evidence, students become better able to assess competing claims and make informed decisions.
The Science Week at Kasese Municipal High Humanist School demonstrated how practical learning can inspire curiosity, build confidence and connect scientific knowledge with real-world challenges.
We thank Robert Musubaho Bwambale, the teachers, the school leadership and, above all, the students for making the event a success and for their commitment to scientific inquiry and lifelong learning.
Looking Ahead
Scientific Temper is proud to support initiatives that strengthen science education and critical thinking, particularly where access to practical learning opportunities can make a lasting difference.
The success of Science Week 2026 shows what can be achieved when educators, students and supporters work together to create meaningful learning experiences.
We look forward to continuing our partnership with the school and supporting future educational initiatives that help young people develop the knowledge, skills and curiosity needed to shape their own future and contribute to their communities.
