Written by: Bilal Mustikhan
Posted on: January 13, 2021 | 
| 中文
Science Fuse Conducting Experiments for Schoolchildren
Unfortunately, people in Pakistan do not see science as a viable and enjoyable field to work in and explore. For many young people, science and mathematics are mostly seen as difficult and incomprehensible, and this is because these subjects are not taught with enthusiasm in schools. However, some people and organizations are working tirelessly to promote the love of all things STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), to encourage a new generation of scientists and scientific researchers. Science Fuse is one such organization.
The quality of science currently taught in schools across Pakistan is, as the founder Lalarukh puts it, ‘dismal.’ A majority of the children in low-income private schools or government schools do not find science and math particularly easy to comprehend or interesting enough to pursue later in life. Lalarukh explained that, “Science does not exist beyond the classroom environment in Pakistan. There are zero opportunities for children to engage with science in an informal setting.”
A Bubblemaking Experiment in the Lab
Science Fuse is a social enterprise that provides informal science education to children all over Pakistan. Their goal is to help children perceive science differently, through curiosity, wonder, and interest. This includes visits to science museums, hosting science fairs and even home activities that would spark young people’s interest in STEM subjects. Science Fuse is trying to bridge this gap by designing a hands-on science curriculum that is educational, fun and engaging too.
Science Fuse was founded by Lalarukh, who has been working with science communication for the past nine years. Lalarukh studied molecular biology and biotechnology at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and Oslo University, Norway. In addition, she worked with a scientific education program in Norway called “Scientist’s Factory” as well as the Science Museum in London. And this only deepened Lalarukh’s passion for science.
In 2014, Lalarukh decided to bring back her expertise to Pakistan. This decision did not come without its challenges as she moved back after 12 years, and had very little external support. The first school she worked with was “The Garage School”, which teaches children from underprivileged communities in Neelum Colony, Karachi. After seeing successful results, Science Fuse started founding partnerships with similar schools all over the city. From the get-go, Lalarukh wanted Science Fuse to be driven by a social justice approach, ensuring that everyone has access to the same materials and opportunities.
The Founder of Science Fuse, Lalarukh
Initially, private schools and well-to-do families were charged a nominal sum of Rs. 6000 for the services that Science Fuse provides. The same programs are then extended pro-bono or at subsidized rates to those communities who cannot afford them. The social enterprise worked to generate revenue to become self-sustainable. Today, Science Fuse runs school programs, as well as weekend programs that are open to anyone interested in joining. In 2017, Lalarukh moved to Lahore, and Science Fuse shifted its operations there. However, they have continued to host and be a part of various festivals and programs in Mithi, Thar, Faisalabad, Hyderabad, Karachi, and other parts of Pakistan.
As a social entrepreneur, Lalarukh learned that the most important part of building an organization is to establish a team. Slowly, Lalarukh learned how to build a community of like-minded people who are mostly students or young scientists. They form the core of Science Fuse’s activities, and have helped evolve the organization as science communicators in their own right. The team consists of seven people, who share the responsibility of designing curriculum, marketing, and handling collaborations with schools. Additionally, 65 volunteer members work with Science Fuse community as freelance science communicators.
Conducting Experiments For Schoolchildren
Last year, Lalarukh was selected as a Malala-Fund Education Champion, and the Malala Fund offered its support to some of their programs. Due to this award, some 600 children were taught the Science Fuse program on a pro-bono basis. Today, Science Fuse is working specially to get girls interested in science from an early age. Lalarukh explained “Science cannot and should not be gendered. The parents of young girls do not want their girls to learn science, but Science Fuse is here to change that.”
However, there are still some aspects of STEM education that needs improvement in Pakistan. When asked about what flaws the Pakistani science curriculum faces, Lalarukh says, ‘The science taught in schools does not spark joy or interest in children. It is not related to the rest of the subjects, and does not develop critical thinking or curiosity. Children are not given the space to experiment, be creative, or build things with their own hands.”
Outdoor Experiments at the National History Museum of Lahore
Moreover, schools in Pakistan tend to religiously stick to the curriculum, while sidelining all other prospects of growth. This was particularly challenging when meeting with private schools, who failed to understand why getting young people involved in science from a young age was important. These stakeholders were difficult to convince because they were wary about adopting new techniques and methods of teaching science. “But going beyond the curriculum is essential,” urged Lalarukh. “Even though the curriculum is not flawed, the textbooks that contain scientific knowledge are outdated.”
During the pandemic, Science Fuse worked tirelessly to bring a change to the science curriculum in Pakistan. With the sudden shift to digital education, the children had to arrange materials for Science Fuse’s programs themselves. This included families who needed to get laptops, computers, or smartphones to aid in remote learning. During this time, Science Fuse worked hard to identify suitable partners, like Acumen Pakistan, who could help them bridge this gap, and ensure that the children do not fall behind. The organization then partnered with the schools to help families buy devices for remote learning. They also visited homes to convince families to let their girls access the internet for educational purposes.
Science Fuse's Recent Home Laboratory Experiments
Science Fuse managed to redesign their experiments in a way that kept in mind the needs of all their participants. All the experiments involved material that was readily available in most homes, such as glasses, spoons, and balloons. In addition to helping kids build science labs at home, the organization has been busy writing a series of scientific stories for children, as a way to incorporate story-telling in their overall activities.
Science Fuse has also been hosting bi-yearly fellowships programs for the past three years, in which participants are taught communication and science-based skills. By 2021, this will be scaled into a more structured Fellowship Teaching Program, geared towards teaching the science curriculum and helping partners learn how to learn digital and remote science clubs online. Lalarukh explained “Science cannot and should not be gendered. There are many barriers and stereotypes that keep girls away from science, but Science Fuse is here to change that.”
Science Fuse has been working to build a grassroots network of schools and students to whom they can instill a love for STEM. They have built a sustainable program that benefits children of all backgrounds with successful results. With their help, more children from all over Pakistan will recognize the exciting opportunities and wonder that scientific exploration has to offer to them. In turn, they may feel compelled to pursue this field later in life, and develop Pakistan’s scientific infrastructure with their curiosity, sense of wonder, and willingness to explore new opportunities.
One of Science Fuse's Upcoming Posters on the Incredible Women of STEM
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