Do you want to get involved with a project that is directly linked with the Ministry of Education in Timor-Leste, and guided by what the needs are on the ground? If yes, then this is for you!
SESIM, which in Tetum stands for the “Center for the Study of Science and Mathematics”, is linked to the Timor-Leste National Commission for UNESCO, and has provided teacher training in science and mathematics since 2014. You can read about SESIM’s work in Curt Gabrielson’s blog here.
The SESIM team have put together a list of equipment that would be useful for them, which they will be able to distribute directly to schools.
Here are some items that we could readily put to use:
* non-glass chemical/biological apparatus (stands, clamps, holders; nothing too specialty)
* biological models (body, cell, animal guts, etc.)
* electronic analysis instruments that don’t require agents (PH, dissolved oxygen, magnetic field, etc.)
* microscopes (working) of any magnification range, with or without lamps
* prepared microscope slides (protozoa, different tissues, cells, etc.)
* oscilloscopes (working, no matter how old)
* function generators
* audio amplifiers
* multimeters, volt meters, ammeters, electrometers; any range
* electrolysis apparatus
* titration apparatus
* distillation apparatus (those three may have glassware involved, but would be worth the risk. Pack it well!)
* computer interface apparatus (working): sound analysis, accelerometer, light spectrum analysis, etc.
* other durable, compact demo apparatus (transformer effect, motor/generator effect, pressure, buoyancy, mini optical bench, light box, soil/sand grain-size mesh set, etc.)
* diffraction gratings
* polarizing film
* gel color filters
* lasers
* posters and cards with clear diagrams
* scales and balances (electronic or manual)
* electronic or alcohol thermometers
* binoculars and monoculars or spotting scopes
* hand lenses at 10X or more
* micrometers/measuring calipers
* digital cameras (working, even if older models)
* magnets, ceramic or rare-earth
* Van de Graf generators (even broken) or Tesla coils
Science stuff that we think are NOT useful or practical are the following:
* glassware (we can get what we need here, and the risk of breakage is large)
* chemicals
* analysis kits (soil, blood, PH) that require agents we would have to reorder
* textbooks
* small refractor telescopes
* low-power magnifying glasses
* rulers/tape measures, measuring cups/graduated cylinders
* iron magnets
If you would like to get your local school or other group involved in collecting science equipment for Timor-Leste, please get in contact with us.