Friday, September 6, 2024

Deconstructing abstractions: The back story of DNA, Hawking and Edutrip Students


In class, students most times are just taught the theories or principles and their application. Many do not know the history, context or the back story. 

Later on in life, when the backstory is learned, it provides deeper clarity and a feeling of epiphany. That was exactly the feeling that engulfed the science students who are a part of the Akwa Ibom/United Kingdom Edutrip, when they saw the place where the Deoxyribonucleic Acid DNA was discovered at Cambridge University. Just as they were leaving there, the students came face to face with the building where the late legendary Stephen Hawking lived and had his office. 

The students were blown away completely and they shouted in excitement. The guide offered more explanation. 

The students were shown to the different colleges and also introduced to student life at Cambridge.

On our trip back, the conversation in the bus was all about the discoveries and their inventors. They were so excited to have been where greats were, walked the same soil they did and just as the noise was fading, someone exclaimed, “I'll be back here, either as student or worker. Their ID card must hang on my neck” .

Just then I wished their sponsor, Governor Umo Eno heard that. I know how satisfied he would have been, that by his thoughts and actions, a child from a public school in a rural community in our state has had the confidence to aspire to academic excellence at a previously unimagined place like the University of Cambridge. This would have made his day.
As the coach arrived at our destination back in London, and the children began to alight, I saw Mrs Idong Etiebet and Rt. Hon. Dr. Ekaette Ebong Okon hugging two kids very tightly and praying for them. Out of curiosity, I asked why and I was told that two of them had come to them to commit to do all within their powers to get excellent grades and make the Governor proud. As I made to leave, one of them asked me, “Uncle Ini, if I pass really well, will the Governor send me to Cambridge or Imperial? Iya mmi , na me these children wan use practice negotiation? My answer was simple, “Get the grades first and leave the rest to the Governor, after all you didn't negotiate to be here”.

I agree without argument with the person who said that travelling is a key part of education.

Thank you Governor Umo Eno

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