Story by Silibaziso Dlodlo
CYRENE High School learners are transforming classrooms into innovation hubs, using locally available materials to develop engineering concepts and practical solutions to real-life challenges.
The school is also equipping students with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) skills, enabling them to translate ideas into practical designs and prepare for careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Science learners at the school are embracing innovation by creating engineering models using affordable materials, with some projects demonstrating how scientific principles can be applied in everyday life.
Among the projects on display is a hydraulic crane, which demonstrates how pressure in liquids can be used to create movement and lift objects.
“If you put the plunger down, low pressure is created, so water moves from the opposite syringe into this one, creating movement. It is designed to show how machines work at a work site,” said Form Four Science student, Channon Seven Mhazo.
Another Form Four learner, Tafadzwa Chafugama, explained the science behind the hydraulic system.
“Liquids are incompressible, so when we pull this plunger down, the liquid does not get compressed, forcing another plunger to move in the opposite direction, causing movement in this crane. When we pull this plunger up, it creates a region of low pressure and the liquid moves from a region of higher pressure to lower pressure.
“When designing this model, we wanted to create a crane that can lift materials using locally available resources found here at Cyrene High School,” he said.
Beyond practical science experiments, learners are also gaining engineering skills through Computer-Aided Design.
Lower Sixth Science student Lungile Bhebhe said CAD has provided a platform to explore creativity and develop engineering concepts.
“In front of me here is an AutoCAD invention. I always imagined myself doing something in engineering, so I decided to practise using this platform. It helps us as learners to explore better ideas and turn them into physical designs,” she said.
School authorities said the introduction of CAD complements the heritage-based education curriculum by combining theoretical knowledge with practical application.
“As you can see, the dynamics of our education system are changing, and we are pleased with what Government is doing, especially through the new curriculum where theory is being combined with practical learning. This laboratory has a number of innovations designed by young people, made possible through programmes such as Computer-Aided Design,” said CAD trainer at Cyrene High School, Mr McDonald Sibanda.
Science teacher Miss Charlotte Moyo said the innovations are inspiring more learners to pursue science-related fields.
“We are very pleased with the science innovations being brought forward by our learners. As they develop more innovations, more learners are inspired to think creatively, encouraging even more students to take up science,” she said.
Teachers say the growing interest in innovation and technology is strengthening the uptake of STEM subjects, while preparing learners to develop solutions that address community and national challenges.
