 |
| Jennifer(left) and her friends |
 |
| Eyram and Mary |
This was the
first kind of Junior
Camp (BarCamp) to be organized in a Senior High School since BarCamp started
in Ghana in 2008.
As it used to be for all BarCamps, Junior Camp Ketasco commenced with a speech from the guest speaker Mrs. Eunice
Ogbugo C.E.O of
Eugo Terrano.
She talked about how she made it
to the top. And advised students on how to eliminate the fear for certain
subjects. She said as a Science student during her Senior Secondary school days, she used to have problems
with certain subjects especially Elective Mathematics, Physics and Biology. She also talked
about the need to choose the right program to offer in the university, by
saying, no one should force students to pursue courses which is not of their interest.
Even though she had some
problems with Mathematics and Physics in her early Secondary School days she
was able to make it to Civil Engineering, even when the mother was wondering if
she can. But through self-determination she was able to make it.
Speed mentoring and Breakout
sessions.
Due to the large number of the
students Speed Mentoring was merged into Breakout Sessions where the mentors
took a number of students at ago. There were breakout sessions for Fashion, Game
and Software Development, Public speaking, Entrepreneurship and others. Some of the mentors
present at Junior camp Ketasco were Eyram Tawia of
Leti Games, Ato Ulzen
Appiah, Nehemiah Attigah, Mr. Joel Degue, Yayra Tay, Donald Wards, Makafui Nyamadi CEO of GCOM Pre-University College, and
others.
I was with Eyram Tawia of Leti
Games in the Ketasco Computer laboratory for the breakout session on Game and
Software Development. Due to large number of students who were willing to join
this session, we divided the students in to two groups. Eyram told the students about
how started his career. He was born and bred on KNUST, campus as young boy. His
determination then was to design super heroes. Long ago before one of his brothers introduced him to how to program. Students also asked interesting questions while
they were given the various tips involved in getting started. Eyram introduced
students to a word which they must always add to their queries when using search engines especially Google for informations as beginners. That's “Dummies”.
Launch.
It was some few minutes
past 12 noon, when we had jollof rice for launch. Well
not bad.
Breakout Sessions Resume.
After launch, the breakout
sessions resumed. But for this time it was solely meant for questions and
answers. Some of the previous sessions were merged to form a session due to things
they had in common.
For this time I joined Gameli
Adjaho for the session on Digital Literacy once again in the computer
laboratory.
Gameli answered series of questions from the students and introduced
them to websites such as
Khanacademy, and some Google search tips: E.g. how compute
simple mathematics using Google, this then led to the display of the embedded
calculator that Google has. This is simply done by typing a mathematical expression into Google's search box.
E.g. 5+6, he also introduced students to a powerful search engine known as
Wolframalpha which I have never heard of. He continued by encouraging students to be abreast with digital literacy.
Closing.
 |
| Cross-section of mentors and volunteers at JuniorCamp Ketasco |
The second breakout (Q&A)
sessions were over and everyone was once gathered at the assembly ground. Students were
given the opportunity to share what they have learnt in their various breakout
sessions with their friends who joined other sessions as well. All that they shared
were very interesting. What I learnt from those who went to the Fashion Breakout session was, make ups are not for
students (girls).
I also learnt that actors do apply make ups when the need arises. This makes them look some how better on stage.
As BarCamps normally end with patriotic songs.
Junior Camp Ketasco ended with the School's Anthem (Once to everyman and
Nation),
God Bless Our Homeland Ghana, and Miadenyigba lonlonla.
