Science Outreach Event in Osogbo, Nigeria, Conducted by Science Advocacy for Youngsters’ Initiative (SAFYI) and sponsored by FlyBase (Drosophila Board)
Dotun A. Adeyinka, Ebenezer Ajayi, Babatunde Akinde, and Chika Nnadi
To us at SAFYI, unlocking the wonders of science is not merely a journey of discovery, but a shared adventure that transcends boundaries. In the realm of our outreaches, curiosity has been our compass, knowledge our guide, and collaboration has been our driving force, as we illuminate minds and pave the way for a future where the beauty of science is accessible to all.
The 2023 edition of the science education for youngsters (SEFY) took place on the 7th of December 2023, at the Osun state University. The event was organized by Dr Dotun Adeyinka, the founder and convener of SAFYI, in collaboration with the department of biochemistry, and the multidisciplinary research lab, both of the Osun state University, Osogbo, Nigeria and Health Emergency Initiative (HEI), Lagos, Nigeria
The selection of the participants was quite inclusive, 2 boys and 2 girls from each representative schools, and a total of 48 students from 12 schools, accompanied by their science teachers participated in the event. We also had some university students, lecturers, and community members that joined the programme to learn about Drosophila research.
The event started at 10AM with an open remark by Prof. Dr. Babatunde Akinde, the Director of the multidisciplinary research lab. On board as facilitators were Dr Ebenezer Ajayi, Dr Dotun Adeyinka, Dr Richard Omole, Dr Timothy Bamgbose, Mr Oluwasegun Moyinoluwa, Dr Abigail Mkperedem and Ms. Chika Nnadi.
We engaged the students on captivating topics that includes the many advantages of using the fruit-flies (Drosophila) for biomedical research, the Nobel prizes in biology and medicine that were won by researchers who made use of Drosophila as a model organism. We had an engaging discussion on fly-genetics, immunohistochemistry, and microscopy. We talked about some classical genetic approaches, and different fluorescent proteins (GFP & RFP).
The participants had a good look at the fruit-flies (in the vial), they were taught some basics fly-work, such as how to identify male, female (and virgins), with some obvious balancers such as curly, etc, how to make crosses. They learnt about the life cycle of the Drosophila, how the brain develops, some neurodegenerative diseases affecting the brain (Alzheimer, etc.), and how it’s been modelled in the fruit-fly to get more insight into the problem and hopefully eventually find a solution. The students were also taught how to take good care of their brain via a good human lifestyle.
In the afternoon, there was a detailed activity session on how life in the lab looks and they were highly motivated to see what it means to be a biomedical researcher using the fruit-fly as a model organism. The participants were further introduced to microscopes and microscopy, with practical hands-on sessions. We also introduced them to Foldscope (“a paper Microscope in its simplest form”), and they had the opportunity to appreciate science in a simple and beautiful way.
There was science exhibition session where laboratory equipment and other items were displayed and there were demonstrations on their uses, and the participants were able to use them and ask questions. There was also a career talk session where we talked about the many opportunities that abounds in the field of Drosophila research specifically, and scientific career in-general. The participants were highly inspired and many questions that came from them showed they are eager to engage in biomedical research using the fruit-fly as a model organism.
We are happy to have provided an interactive session openly for everyone, where participants were able to ask questions. Also, a meet-a-scientist session afterwards, where participants were able to individual interact with the researchers pertaining to their career choice.
In addition, we introduced the participants to First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training, this was anchored by Ms Nnadi and Dr Mkperedem from Health Emergence Initiative and the session was quite interactive, detailed, and practical. Given the importance of these life-saving skills, we believe that introducing them to First -aid and CPR training at an early age are immensely valuable
We had a direct feedback mechanism via an open forum, where participants expressed their minds at the end of the programme, and we had comments like:
“I learnt how to identify some laboratory equipment and their uses, and also about CPR/First aid lessons”,
“I learnt about different careers under STEM, I also learnt about Drosophila (fruit fly), it’s research and benefit”,
“I like the workshop because it is more practical and not about theory, I learnt various ways on how to help during emergencies and also how to figure out the career I really have passion for”,
“I learned about Drosophila which seems kind of fun and I also learned how to use a microscope and it was fun as I learnt about microscope and microscopy”.
At the end of the programme, the participants had the opportunity to tell us what they have learnt, what they would like to see in the next edition, and indeed we had an impactful event that is memorable for them. The feedback from the participants indicated a high level of satisfaction and enthusiasm. Many expressed newfound interests in science and a desire to explore further studies and careers in the field. We are very proud that the interactive and hands-on approach, coupled with FlyBase’s support left a lasting impression on the attendees.
As the organizer, this scientific outreach has given me and SAFYI (our non-for-profit organization) the opportunity to establish a sustainable collaboration with some local schools, educational authorities, community leaders, co-researchers, budding and established academics, some educational specialists, other non-for-profit organizations, government, and public policy makers. The meeting also served as a focal point for fellow Drosophila-researchers to meet, interact, and network. I have been able to motivate and mentor others on the opportunities that abound in science communication and the joy that comes with public engagements, either as an organizer or a volunteer. They are now thinking about making applications for their own grants, and I am also taking a bigger step by applying for bigger grants for bigger outreach projects.
We are very grateful to Flybase (Drosophila board) for funding and supporting this outreach event, and we are very happy to have successfully conducted an event that promoted scientific literacy and encouraged students to pursue careers in Drosophila research specifically, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in general.
Acknowledgements
I would specially like to thank Flybase for giving us this wonderful opportunity to positively impact lives in the society via science outreach, also we are very grateful to the Osun state Ministry of education for their support, and to the Osun state University for the collaboration.
I would also like to thank my mentors, Dr Boris Egger, and Prof. Dr. Simon Sprecher, for their support always and their many words of encouragement. Also, I would like to thank Ms Olawumi Stephen, for curating the curriculum we used.
Photo credit: Joshua Oyebode and Femi Akintayo
About the Author
Dr Dotun Adeyinka is a researcher in the field of neuro and developmental biology, University of Fribourg, Switzerland. He is also the founder of SAFYI.
Dr Ebenezer Ajayi is a biochemist, Drosophila researcher, and the Head of the biochemistry department, Osun state, University, Nigeria.
Prof. Babatunde Akinde is a professor of microbiology, and the Director of the Multidisciplinary Research laboratory, Osun state University, Nigeria.
Ms. Chika Nnadi is a senior project officer, at Health emergency initiative, Lagos, Nigeria.