Many Nigerian students think science is only for the laboratory and it is difficult. That is not true. Science is all around us every day. From the garri you soak to the phone you are using to read this, it is all science.
In this article, I will make science super interesting and real for you with 10 examples you can see in Nigeria.
1. Why Garri Swells in Water - Osmosis
When you put garri in cold water, it swells and becomes bigger. This is called osmosis. Water moves into the garri particles. It is the same way our body absorbs water.
2. Why Your Phone Battery Drains Fast When Hot - Heat and Energy
If you stay in the sun in Lagos or Warri, your phone battery will die fast. Science says heat makes the chemicals inside the battery work too fast and lose energy.
3. Why the Sky is Blue and Turns Red in Evening
The sun light contains many colors. During the day, our atmosphere scatters the blue color more, that is why sky looks blue. In the evening, the light travels further and only red and orange reach our eyes. That is why sunset is beautiful in Nigeria.
4. Why Plantain Turns Black After Some Days - Chemical Reaction
When you leave plantain or banana, it turns black. This is because of a chemical reaction called oxidation. The air reacts with enzymes in the fruit. If you put it in the fridge, it slows down.
5. Why You See Your Breath Inside Bottle Water - Condensation
When you drink cold pure water and close the bottle, you see small water drops inside. That is condensation. The cold bottle cools the air inside and water vapor turns to liquid.
6. Why Bitter Leaf is So Bitter But Healthy - Alkaloids
Bitter leaf contains natural chemicals called alkaloids. They are bitter to protect the plant from insects, but for humans, they help clean the blood and control blood sugar. That is pure medicinal science.
7. Why Cars and Generators Need Water - Cooling System
A car or generator engine produces too much heat. If you don't put water or coolant, it will overheat and knock. The water carries the heat away. That is called the cooling system.
8. Why We Have Light and Darkness - Rotation of the Earth
The earth rotates round itself every 24 hours. When your part of Nigeria faces the sun, it is day. When it turns away, it is night. That is why when it is morning in Nigeria, it is night in America.
9. Why Salt Makes Soup Taste Better - Diffusion
When you put salt in soup, the salt moves from where it is plenty to where it is not. This spreading is called diffusion. That is why after some minutes the whole soup tastes salty, not only one side.
10. Why You Feel Electric Shock When Touching Iron Sometimes - Static Electricity
During harmattan or when you wear nylon clothes, your body collects small charges. When you touch iron, the charges jump and you feel small shock. It is harmless but it is real physics.
Conclusion
As you can see, science is not far. It is in your kitchen, in your street, in your school bag. Once you start seeing science in your daily life, you will love it, you will pass JAMB, WAEC and you can even become an inventor. Science is fun, science is real, and science is Nigerian.
Which of these facts shocked you most? Comment below and share this with your classmates on WhatsApp.
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