M&S Laboratories

In Kenya about 60% of secondary schools have either poorly equipped or no science laboratories, and about 70% of the remaining 30% have small laboratories that cannot accommodate 40 students. This has resulted to poor performance and also dropping of science related subjects among students. And if it continues like this them I'm afraid that fulfilment of some SDGs and Government four agendas will be difficult, as most of them depend on science.

M&S laboratories will help students to find ways in which they will be doing experiments, through provision of stationary and mobile laboratories.

Lack of science laboratories is not a Kenyan only problem but a global. Am sure that the project will not only give students opportunity to perform well in sciences but also create employment opportunity to many people.

Science subjects are usually considered to be difficult due to the term used, and to my knowledge I know that in science, experiment always explains and simplifies the theory. Practicals helps students to understand science fast and makes it easier for teachers in making their explanations.

In Africa alone more 13000000 million students are directly affected by this lack of laboratory problems. Most youths who have done science related subjects as their career subjects have become disappointed, since it is difficult to get a science related jobs, in Kenya alone 7 out of 10 youths who have done sciences do not have jobs.

I know that with S&M laboratories in place all the above problems will be addressed and solved

S&M laboratories, is coming to improve the lives of youths, those who are in secondary schools with no or poorly equipped science laboratories, and those unemployed youths who have done science related courses.

Currently we are conducting questionnaire, within Mathare and Kamukunji constituencies, as they are our first target areas. We are also collecting assurance letters indicating that the schools will join the project once it starts.

We are also creating a mobile application that will ensure that the students are directed during experiments, in that with or without the laboratory technician, they will be able to follow the procedures and get the required results. 

We are providing both stationary and mobile laboratories. The stationaries will be placed at central parts where students from schools nearer will be coming to conduct their experiments, mobile laboratories will be in form of vans and canters containing reagents, equipments and laboratory technicians, these will serve schools that will be located far from the stationary centers.

The process will involve taking students through a particular laboratory procedure, which will be done by laboratory technicians assigned, and then recording the students participations and letting the students fill in the answers using tabs and smartphones that will be given to them, after filling the answer the students will then submit their work through submit buttons, the above procedures will help in determining the extent of students knowledge and also performance of students in particular experiments.

My solution addresses the problem that has been dragging the education sector.

The use of gadgets to write a science report is not only a new thing but also will save time to both the students and the laboratory technicians

The business is an innovation as there is no of its kind yet

We are currently working on a mobile application that will direct the students during experiments and provide for them a place where they will be able to write their reports and submit them electronically.

The app will also help the laboratory technicians during marking of the reports 

During our questionnaire and assurance letters collection, many schools applauded the move saying that it will lead to good performance in sciences. 

The government through the then Cabinet Secretary, Amb.Dr. Amina Mohammed, said that lack of science laboratories in secondary schools have led poor performance and dropping of sciences among students. She further said that their was need to get a way in ensuring that the problem is solved, as it will interfere with implementation of the big four agendas, as they are all related to science

The business has not started officially yet, but once the laboratory is set we are planning to start with a  maximum of 6000 students

In the first year into operation the business is expected to absorb a maximum of 6000 students, and employ 60 people. 

The business is expected to triple the numbers of both the students and employees in the third year into operation, and start spreading its tentacles across other counties within kenya.

In the fifth year into operation, the business shall open its branches in Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia and Botswana. During this year the business shall impact many in terms of education and employment 

Financial- We are currently facing some financial problems that has forced as to put the project on hold

Legal- being a unique and new business, their is no law guiding it, so we might have a problem with the government in future

Cultural- Most residents of Eastleigh are refugees of Somali origin, so they tend to move a lot, this will make the business difficult to mark the customers

Market barrier- Some heads of schools don't understand what the business is all about, especially in Eastleigh where language barrier is a problem. I know that we will encounter the same problem as we will be spreading our tentacles across different regions

We are currently looking for funders and also trying to find ways in securing loans from local banks, we are currently making and selling cleaning reagents, so that we can create more capital, as setting a laboratory is an expensive thing.

We are currently talking with the government through our lawyers so that we will be able to identify and solve the misunderstanding that can arise

Market barrier- We will be collaborating with local bloggers and leaders to market our business 

Currently we have

4full time staff

6part time staff

The number is expected to increase once the business is officially opened

Susan Oduor

Has a certificate in Science Laboratory Technology, Diploma in Analytical Chemistry and currently doing B.Tech in Industrial and Applied Chemistry, both at Technical University of Kenya.

Has worked as a laboratory technician both at Kenyatta University and Jamuhuri high school

Gideon Omondi

Has both Diploma in Analytical chemistry, and B.tech in industrial from Technical University of Kenya.

Currently working as a chief Technologist at Kenyatta university, also the chairman of KUSU, Kenyatta university charter.

Ann Anyango

Is a teacher at one of the schools in Eastleigh, has done community course of social work.

Maureen Walgwe

Has a diploma in Analytical Chemistry from Technical University of Kenya

Have done CPA at NIBS

Our part time employees are Justers, Primoz and Purent who are good in computer science and data analysis, they are the once who are assisting us in opening a mobile application

The target customers are secondary schools, private candidates and adult education centres.

The business will provide both stationary and mobile laboratories, meaning that it will reach all its customers regardless of their location, the mobile application tool will make it easier for the customers to follow lab procedures, writing reports and submission, contrary to what has been tradition where one is required to listen to technicians and write reports on their own which is usually tedious and time consuming.

The business is expected to charge a fee to its customers, where they will be able to pay in hourly, daily, weekly, monthly or termly depending on customers choice.

The enterprise is currently looking for angel investors, granters and also bank loans.

The founders are also generating capitals by doing small side businesses.

I am applying, because I want solve to help me in: 

Creating awareness of importance of science laboratories.

Getting possible funders as the enterprise requires lots of funding

In applying technology that will help learners understand science more and also saving their time

Understanding and running the enterprise smoothly, so as to avoid premature closure of the business

Finding a chance to show case the business internationally

I am also applying because I want to experience travelling via air and travel abroad. 

United Nations

USAID

My team will buy smart phones, tabs and laptops.Smart phones and tabs will be represented to students during experiments and then collected at the end of every practicals.

laptopts will be used by employees in marking reports, assessing the students during experiments and also updating the apps 

The program will be based in Eastleigh estate, a hub for refugees from Somali and Southern Sudan, most of the students affected by this lack of laboratories in secondary schools are mostly refugees. The team shall use the fund to set up the laboratories and also sponsor some of the students.