A SCIENCE teacher is set to travel the world in a bid to find ways to get more children engaged in science.

Hephzi Tagoe, who teaches at the Basildon Upper Academy, will travel to Ghana and Finland to examine how science is taught to children.

She hopes to bring the techniques used there back to Basildon in order to inspire a future generation of scientists.

The 34-year-old said: “There is definitely a skill shortage in the scientific field, not enough young people are engaged, most just see science as a compulsory subject which they have to do and a lot ask: ‘Why do we have to do this?’

“In the next 30 years when this generation of scientists have moved on or retired, there is a limited amount of people going into the sector.

“Schools in Finland are a lot more open with their learning, they are engaging and students seem to do well, so I hope to implement what I learn from my visit into Basildon schools.

“I was born in Ghana and the demographic there is quite similar to the demographic Basildon has. I hope that from my visit there and by observing the way they teach, I will be able to find different ways for students to enjoy learning science. I’m not saying that everyone has to be a scientist but I hope my research will give them a different perspective.”

Hephzi is joining 150 other fellows to travel the world after winning funding from the Churchill Fellowship by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.

She will be visiting Ghana for four weeks during the school holiday, followed by a jaunt to Finland in October. She also has the final choice of a third country for her research, which hasn’t yet been decided.

As part of a book she is writing, Hephzi will dedicated a chapter to the findings from her travels.

She added: “Basildon is neglected when it comes to science; any trips we’ve had, we’ve had to go to London or even further, to Birmingham.

“Investments for science education go straight into the city which we can’t always access.

“Last week for example it was science week, there’s been nothing going on in Basildon.

“Since 2014, I’ve been working to improve science engagement in the area.

“I’m so passionate about it and in the future I plan to work on science-related projects to be held in Basildon, so they’re right on our door step.

“I’m so excited for my trip, but more importantly, the aftermath of what could happen for Basildon from my findings.”

Hephzi was involved in the Basildon Street Science Fair and Discover Pathology event.