By Amy Baty-Herbert | Project Leader
Recently, an engaging STEM workshop was held for secondary school students at Smart Start Academy. The lesson focused on the First Law of Thermodynamics—the scientific principle that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form into another.
Instead of simply reading about this concept in a textbook, students learned by doing.
Working together in small groups, students conducted an experiment demonstrating how solar energy can be converted into heat energy. Their biology teacher guided them through each step, explaining concepts such as reflection, refraction, and energy conversion while encouraging students to observe the scientific principles unfolding before them.
As the class worked through the experiment, the teacher explained how sunlight strikes the white carbon surface, reflects, and transfers energy to the black carbon, which absorbs more heat. Students were able to witness this process firsthand, connecting classroom theory with real-world observation.
The excitement in the classroom was evident as students eagerly assembled the materials, made observations, asked questions, and discussed what they were seeing. The hands-on experience transformed an abstract scientific principle into something they could see, test, and understand.
Thank you for helping to make opportunities like this possible. Your generosity is helping students gain practical skills, develop a passion for learning, and prepare to become the scientists, engineers, healthcare professionals, teachers, and leaders who will help build a brighter future for Sierra Leone.
Together, we are investing in future leaders—one inspiring classroom experience at a time.
With gratitude,
Amy & The Develop Africa Team
Links:
By Amy Baty-Herbert | Project Leader
By Sylvester Renner | President & Founder of Develop Africa
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