INCULCATING THE SKILLS OF IMPROVISATION IN PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS THROUGH THE PROJECT METHOD OF TEACHING BASIC SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

The emphasis of the current Basic Science and Technology Education (BSTE) curriculum is on activity-oriented approach to teaching and learning which is child centered. The implication of child centered learning is that each pupil should be provided with the necessary materials to participate in the teaching and learning process. The increasing enrollment of pupils in primary schools place a lot of demands on proprietors and school administrators in the provision of necessary facilities for the implementation of the Basic Science and Technology Education curriculum. This write up unveil the secrets of the project method of teaching in supplementing facilities for Basic Science and Technology teaching with improvised materials particularly in primary schools. The process involves the development of skills in the learners such as questioning, manipulation, measurement, design and modeling to create equipment using local resources available in the environment. The role of the teacher is to create enabling environment for the pupils to acquire and demonstrate these skills. The use of local materials in improvising science equipment demystifies the notion that science is foreign and consequently triggers the innate curiosity of pupils to learn. The provision of good working condition for teachers and encouragement of pupil who have exhibited outstanding skills in designing equipment are advocated to promote the project method in improvisation.