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By Rita Okoye
In a small classroom in Lagos, Nigeria, a group of students once gathered around mini fans, music boxes, and wind-powered boats—each handmade using recycled materials.
At the centre of this creative bustle was Dr Emmanuel Babalola, a passionate educator determined to transform how children learn science. Today, that early vision has grown into “Project Physics is Fun,” an innovative STEM outreach initiative making waves both in Nigeria and across continents.
Dr Babalola’s journey began long before his doctoral studies at Purdue University. As a Science Club coordinator at Kingsfold International Academy in Lagos, he saw first-hand how hands-on activities ignited curiosity and excitement among pupils who might otherwise find physics abstract or intimidating. It was this spark that he carried into his academic career in the United States.
While pursuing his PhD in Learning Design and Technology, Dr Babalola was invited by his professor, Dr Shamila Janakiraman, to create a physics presentation for the Imagination Station, a community learning hub in Indiana. Drawing on his experiences from Lagos, he introduced physics through storytelling, craft, and play. The response from children, many aged between five and twelve, was immediate and enthusiastic—they built “dream cars,” asked questions, and left with a new sense of wonder.
Encouraged by this success, Dr Babalola formally launched Project Physics is Fun. What began as a single outreach event soon blossomed into a series of community-based activities, including “STEM Saturdays,” summer camps, and themed events such as the “7 Weeks of STEM Exploration.” At the heart of every session was a commitment to make science approachable, playful, and inclusive.
The project adopted a hybrid approach, blending storytelling with practical projects that children could take home. Volunteers and funding from Purdue’s Office of Engagement allowed the team to design and distribute STEM kits, each accompanied by colourful infographics featuring characters like “Dr Motion” and “Aunty Energy.” Importantly, materials were translated into English, Spanish, and Chinese, ensuring that language was never a barrier to participation.
Beyond the fun and creativity, Project Physics is Fun is grounded in rigorous educational theory. Dr Babalola structured the curriculum using the ADDIE model—Analyse, Design, Develop, Implement, Evaluate—and drew inspiration from Keller’s ARCS framework, focusing on building Attention, Relevance, Confidence, and Satisfaction among learners. “Our aim isn’t just to teach physics,” he explains. “It’s to help children see themselves as scientists.”
Recognition soon followed. In 2024, Dr Babalola was chosen as one of seven Lightning Talk speakers at Purdue’s prestigious Engagement and Service-Learning Summit. His presentation, titled “From Little Explorers to Future Scientists,” highlighted the project’s impact and was later featured by Purdue’s Office of Engagement in its Engaged Student Spotlight Series.
Alongside this, Dr Babalola received the PEER Scholarship for Emerging Education Research Scholars, further affirming the academic and societal significance of his work. His research also extends beyond outreach, exploring how parental involvement and culturally responsive teaching can shape children’s confidence and interest in STEM fields.
Looking ahead, Dr Babalola envisions a Future Science Center in Africa—a dedicated space where children can explore, invent, and experiment beyond the traditional classroom. “We want a place where African children feel that science belongs to them,” he says. “Where they can see, touch, and build, not just memorise.”
Such a centre would also serve teachers, offering training in hands-on and inquiry-based teaching methods, and would connect children to digital resources that reflect African contexts and experiences. In Dr Babalola’s words, the goal is to nurture not only knowledge but a strong “science identity”—the confidence to say, “I can do this.”
Despite these ambitious plans, Dr Babalola remains deeply rooted in community collaboration. The project has relied on volunteers, local educators, and modest grants to grow. Now, he hopes to partner with universities, NGOs, and private sponsors to expand its reach and realise the vision of a permanent science hub.
At its core, Project Physics is Fun embodies a simple but powerful belief: that science can be joyful, creative, and inclusive. And that children—regardless of where they are born—should have the chance to see themselves as the inventors, engineers, and researchers of tomorrow.
Dr Babalola’s story is a reminder that big change often begins with small experiments—a mini fan built from scrap, a question asked in a crowded classroom, a young learner daring to wonder. Through Project Physics is Fun, he is ensuring that curiosity is not only sparked but sustained.
As he reflects on the journey so far, Dr Babalola’s message is clear: “Africa’s future scientists are already among us. We just need to give them the tools—and the belief—to thrive.”
