American’s mission to make a difference
US volunteer based at local science centre, to share his math and science innovations
SHARING his knowledge with local students is exactly what American Peace Corps volunteer Michael Adams set out to achieve.
The 26-year-old mathematician is working at the Zululand Science Centre, helping to develop a variety of new math and science programmes.
The aim of the project is to provide scholars with a better understanding of the two disciplines.
‘When school groups visit the centre, they are exposed to a range of programmes. The strategies they learn from these and fun activities can be taken back to the classroom and applied in their work,’ he said.
Adams pursued a maths degree at Bucknell University and graduated in 2012, and recently won the prize for the best presentation at the national science festival in Grahamstown.
Although admitting that some of the local students face tough educational challenges, he believes their eagerness to learn will one day work to their benefit.
He strives to make a difference in others’ lives and believes that all children should be afforded a proper schooling career.
‘It’s one thing to just sit behind a desk, but you need to actually go out there and see what is happening in the rural areas,’ he says.
Aside from being a math and science enthusiast, the self-proclaimed explorer enjoys travelling, reading and biking.
‘I also started juggling again, which I learned when I was much younger.’
Adams is looking forward to speaking at the ZUL Fest between 11 and 16 May.
He will be conducting a presentation on binary and Egyptian maths alongside his dad, who is also here for a month to assist him.
He will be heading back home later this year and plans to work for a NGO, while travelling and getting hands-on experience to help develop underprivileged communities.
