This paper explored practical solutions to address the challenges in science education from the perspective of Ghanaian students. A quantitative survey was conducted, focusing on students in grades 7 to 9 (JHS 1 to 3) within the Ningo-Prampram District of Ghana to understand the state of science education. A total of 46 schools (23 public schools and 23 private schools) were randomly chosen for the survey. The survey received responses from 48 science teachers and 899 students, providing valuable insights into the current landscape of science education. While science education is highly emphasized in schools (48% very high, 31% high) and 69% of students said they plan to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) as a career, only 10% of students said their school had a dedicated science lab. Science teachers cited ‘lack of facilities’ (81%) and ‘lack of materials’ (13%) as reasons why science is not effectively taught in their schools. Detailed information about the survey analysis is provided in the Methods section. This study demonstrated that various science experiments and activities could be conducted on a limited budget, even without a dedicated laboratory. For several months, the author conducted student-centered hands-on activities at a local school. Subsequently, a school science fair was organized, motivating students to develop their ideas into projects. This paper detailed how it was organized and conducted. Furthermore, to promote practical science engagement among students, the author is collaborating with the Ningo-Prampram District of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to arrange an inter-school science fair, extending invitations to 20 schools within the district.

science education, Ghana, JHS, learner-centered education, viable hands-on experiments, small-scale science fair