Lab in a Cab

RAISE Gambia’s aim is to raise standards in the field of science education in The Gambia, in line with UN SDG 4. As a result of the COVID 19 pandemic, we recognised the need to adapt swiftly and appropriately to both the current situation and to re-evaluate our future work.

After consultation with school principals and teachers, we have launched our Lab in a Cab project which will significantly extend our programme of loaning scientific equipment to Upper Basic schools.

The project involves equipping our vehicle with Practical Experiment Kits (PEKs), enabling teachers and their students to continue their engagement with practical science. The experiments are designed to fit into the Upper Basic level of the Gambian science curriculum, primarily targeted at Grades 8 & 9.

The PEKs are provided in sturdy, locally made, boxes, enabling easy transport and checking as well as cleaning after use. They contain all the materials for a range of experiments, with accompanying laminated instructions, worksheets and feedback sheets for evaluation and moderation purposes.

To date 8 PEKs have been set up: Acids and Bases; Food Tests; Laws of Reflection; Using Microscopes; Observing Onion Cells; Investigating Osmosis; Making Electric Circuits; Investigating Solubility.

So far 7 schools have been loaned the experiment kits in the pilot and main phases, some on several occasions and approx. 700 young people have benefitted. This is less than we had hoped for at this stage, however the project is ongoing and will be expanded into more schools during 2023/24 and therefore more students will benefit in the future.

Lab in a Cab has the endorsement of the Gambian Ministry of Education, who are now assisting in the facilitating of the project.

Initial funding was provided by the Didymus Foundation to set up the Lab in a Cab project. Additional funding has recently been obtained from the Gilchrist Trust and Commonweal School, Swindon. We are currently seeking further funding to continue and extend the project.