A Trip to Outer Space

 I was looking through pictures of KEMPS pupils today and I came across a series of photos I had to share, even though I am no longer at KEMPS, in Bukoba, or even on the African continent at all.

In the final art project for Standard 3, we set off on a voyage to outer space.  I hung the planets in the classroom, and brought along all the picture books of space I could find from our library.  We looked at the different colors and shapes of the planets, and discussed what stars looked like and how many there were.  We also talked about spaceships and shuttles and all the different things we might see in the night sky.

Afterwards, we pulled out the oil pastels and black watercolor paint.  Pupils drew their own outer space drawings, and then covered the whole paper in black watercolor.  They were amazed as they watched their pictures appear in the black paint, particularly the white stars!  Many were very proud of their work and couldn't wait to show off for the camera.

Drawing with oil pastels for the first time.
We learned to use our fingers to smudge colors together!

Adding the black background using watercolors.

                                                 Pupils show off their drawings!

Bugonzi Waterfall

Lulu posing with the waterfall behind.

It is hard to believe that my time at KEMPS is now at an end.  Just before Christmas I packed my Tanzanian life into my backpack and carry-on suitcase and returned to New York City.  However, even though I am now half way around the world from my pupils and fellow Tanzanian teachers, I do have several events and pictures that I think you will enjoy.  

In one of our final weeks in class, Standard 6 Science took a field trip to visit Bugonzi Waterfall at Ndolage Hospital.  As part of the Science curriculum pupils learn about hydroelectric power plants.  Bugonzi Waterfall is one such power plant.  Using our still new bus, all of Standard 6 sang their way through the banana fields and small villages on the way to the waterfall.  Tanzanians on the road would stop bicycling or walking and heads would turn to follow the rhythmically clapping, stomping and singing bus. 

The guide explains how the machinery works.

On arrival, our guide started the tour by showing us the reservoir at the top of the waterfall and then leading us down the steep slope to the base where we could see the building that housed the equipment.  Although  I was not able to understand the guide (the tour was in Kiswahili), I was extremely impressed by my pupils, who asked questions of the guide, and who then were able to explain everything they had learned to me, showing me the different pieces of equipment and how they worked together to harness the power of the water tumbling below.

Since to purpose of the trip was to learn more about how water can be used to generate energy, it was only fitting that there was some time to explore the water itself.  Pupils took off their shoes and socks and took to the water, enjoying its coolness, explore the different pools and even discovering a turtle!