The Junior Science Lab in a Box ™ (J-SLaB) is derived from TGUP’s Science Lab in a Box ™ (SLaB). SLaB was designed for high schools in Africa to give students exposure to world class laboratory work in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

SLaB’s success drove the demand for a comparable tool designed for junior high schools. The range of experiments is somewhat smaller but the immediacy of doing actual laboratory science work is just as real. That is the goal: to connect theory with laboratory practice to dramatically improve science learning for junior high school students.

To see the Specification for J-SLaB, click here.

The first five J-SLaB installations were funded by the Fremont Bridge Rotary Club in Fremont, California, and the Infinibots Robotics team with students from Mission San Jose and American High School, also in Fremont, California. This is an important signaling of confidence in African students to learn real science. We are very grateful and hope other clubs will rise to meet the opportunity.

RUKENYA PRIMARY SCHOOL

Rukenya Primary & Junior Secondary School is a co-ed school with 348 students. It is in a rural area in Central Kenya. Most of the families were relocated from the area flooded when the Thiba Dam was built, and the parents work as farm laborers, growing maize and beans. They earn less than $2 a day and struggle to pay for the required school uniforms and fees.

The Kenyan government now requires all schools to teach science but has not provided any funding to do so. The school has teachers who are qualified to teach science but prior to receiving their J-SLaB had only been able to teach theoretical lessons.

Madam Joan Mwendia, Head Science Teacher: “J-SLaB makes science more enjoyable and fun for students. When the learning is fun, the learning goes better.”

To see the school’s application, click here.

TUMUTUMU SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF

Tumutumu School for the Deaf has dedicated, experienced teachers who have been doing everything they can to give their students a good education. They have been sharing the few pieces of science equipment owned by the local Primary & Junior Secondary School and are thrilled to now have their own J-SLaB so they can more effectively teach science. Successfully doing science experiments is already boosting the students’ morale and showing them that despite their challenges, they are valued and will be able to work towards having science careers in the future.

Mr. Benson Chege, Head Science Teacher: “J-SLaB will equalize access whereby the less privileged can now be engaged in a powerful learning experience. It will spark curiosity as learners, rather than just reading about Science.”

To see the school’s application, click here.

TUMUTUMU PRIMARY & JUNIOR SCHOOL

Tumutumu Primary & Junior School had only a few pieces of science equipment, but they shared what they had with the Tumutumu School for the Deaf. With the provision of their J-SLaB, the students will be motivated to study science subjects. They are excited to know they will be well prepared to study science in high school and beyond.

Mr. Fred Nyakundi, Head Science Teacher: "J-SLaB is an opportunity for our school to strengthen practical, learner-centered and inquiry-based learning. It provides a platform where students can move beyond theoretical concepts and gain practical experience through experimentation, observation, and problem solving.”

To see the school’s application, click here.

KABARE SCHOOL

Kabare School has 354 students: 183 boys and 171 girls. After completing grade 9 at the Junior Secondary School, the students can apply to continue their education at Kabare Secondary School. However, this is a National Secondary School for which students from all over the county compete for a place. Students from well-funded schools have had a great advantage in the past as they have had practical science experience, so performed better on the National Science Exams. With J-SLaB the students will be better able to compete for admission and be better prepared for high school science.

Ms. Jaqueline Muchiri, Principal: “The J-SLaB is an opportunity to nurture our students' interest in science through practical, hands-on learning. Our school is committed to developing this interest.”

To see the school’s application, click here.

IKUMARI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Ikumari Primary School’s 313 students are drawn from families that work in settlement lands (owned by large horticultural conglomerates) as casual laborers on the huge farms around the area. J-SLaB will boost the morale of the students, build their confidence, and offer them opportunities to study science in high school and beyond. They are excited to be able to understand science by doing experiments instead of from dry textbooks.

Mr. Simon Wanjohi, Head Science Teacher: “We expect that J-SLaB will build confidence among the students as they are equipped with the tools to deliver engaging learning experiences.”

To see the school’s application, click here.