Venture South Gambia
Schools Science Project, The Gambia
'The Smiling Coast!'
Located on the far west coast of Africa, The Gambia is well-known for its white sandy beaches and tourism. The Gambia and its people retain strong traditions and are famous for their hospitality. Our expeditions offer an alternative to western style tourism, by giving students a greater experience of Gambian culture.
Our science expeditions are the brain-child of our partner, Raise Gambia, a UK based charity created by science teachers to enhance the teaching and learning of science in Gambian schools, by promoting the use of practical experiments in the classroom. This expedition gives UK students the opportunity to meet and work together with Gambian students on a science based project. Student teams will based in Halahin, south of the country’s capital Banjul.
Photos: Raise Gambia/ James Busby / F Yang
In collaboration with Raise Gambia, Venture Force enable students from the UK to travel to, live amongst, and work with a local secondary school. Teams are required to develop science experiments that can be replicated in The Gambia using materials that can easily be obtained there. In-country, students will work in teams with the local students to reproduce these experiments and develop learning.
Over the years these expeditions have proved to be a great success, not only increasing science capabilities but forging strong connections between schools in The Gambia and UK.
Our expeditions also include local interest visits, providing educational opportunities, as well as an insight into the country’s heritage, history and people. These visits can include trips to:
- The local turtle conservation group – a chance to find out about the important work being done to conserve sea turtles
- Halahin River boat tour – a sunrise boat ride, providing the opportunity to see crocodiles slumbering in the mangrove swamps, along with sea eagles, osprey, heron and kingfishers stalking and swooping on the river’s fish
- The Reptile Sanctuary – the sanctuary cares for displaced reptiles and educates the local population on their conservation
Raise Gambia was founded in 2011 by the UK based Institute for Physics, to promote science education in The Gambia. Raise Gambia has set up and equipped a dedicated teaching laboratory in Gambia, where students and science teachers from across the country come to attend development workshops run by science teachers from The Gambia and UK.
In the long-term Raise Gambia aims to establish science centres of excellence in several regions of the Gambia and to run summer schools to provide intensive science education for young Gambian scientists and engineers. To find out more about Raise Gambia please visit their website.
Expedition Project
In collaboration with Raise Gambia, Venture Force enable students from the UK to travel to, live amongst, and work with a local secondary school. Teams are required to develop science experiments that can be replicated in The Gambia using materials that can easily be obtained there. In-country, students will work in teams with the local students to reproduce these experiments and develop learning.
Over the years these expeditions have proved to be a great success, not only increasing science capabilities but forging strong connections between schools in The Gambia and UK.
Local Interest Visits
Our expeditions also include local interest visits, providing educational opportunities, as well as an insight into the country’s heritage, history and people. These visits can include trips to:
- The local turtle conservation group – a chance to find out about the important work being done to conserve sea turtles
- Halahin River boat tour – a sunrise boat ride, providing the opportunity to see crocodiles slumbering in the mangrove swamps, along with sea eagles, osprey, heron and kingfishers stalking and swooping on the river’s fish
- The Reptile Sanctuary – the sanctuary cares for displaced reptiles and educates the local population on their conservation
Raise Gambia
Raise Gambia was founded in 2011 by the UK based Institute for Physics, to promote science education in The Gambia. Raise Gambia has set up and equipped a dedicated teaching laboratory in Gambia, where students and science teachers from across the country come to attend development workshops run by science teachers from The Gambia and UK.
In the long-term Raise Gambia aims to establish science centres of excellence in several regions of the Gambia and to run summer schools to provide intensive science education for young Gambian scientists and engineers. To find out more about Raise Gambia please visit their website.
Embrace the challenge and remember the unique experience!
Our aim is to take our student teams out of their comfort zone. Don’t expect air conditioned rooms and coaches with waitress service. We don’t provide luxury tours, knowing from experience that real, traditional Gambian life cannot be found there.
Our accommodation is basic, clean and right on the beach! The accommodation staff are amazing and create an atmosphere that is never forgotten. Making the most of the opportunity and getting to know these wonderfully hospitable people means that students will make memories that last for a lifetime.
KEY INFORMATION
All our expeditions are bespoke and tailored to your team's needs
Science Project
School Networking
Cultural Visits
Conservation
Duration
8 Days (UK to UK)
- International Flights
- Two Venture Force expedition leaders
- One funded teacher place
- 24/7 Operations Room support
- Comprehensive travel insurance (see our COVID info page)
- International communications package
- All in-country travel
- In-country agent support
- All in-country activities, food and accommodation
- Team t-shirts
- Heavy duty travel bag
- Group kit and equipment
- Online expedition portal
- Carbon off-setting
- Project donation (expedition dependent)
- Pre-expedition team training day
- Personal vaccinations
- Personal equipment (a kit list will be provided)
- Visa costs and passport renewal (if applicable)
- Spending money for gifts and additional drinks/food
