MOBILE LAB WRAP UP – TERM 1 2026

WRITTEN BY MERCY

Our Mobile Lab has run for 6 weeks this term from January to March. 15 students in their first year of O-Level were selected from 3 schools in Chitungwiza. We had 12 female students and 3 male students.

Welcoming a new group
The first session always starts with games, getting to know one another and talking through Safeguarding, Code of Conduct and our other policies. Mrs A took the students through how Makomborero came about and how the Mobile Lab came into being. She praised the young learners for all their hard work both in class and the communities. She promised them a rich experience at the Mobile Lab (no pressure!). Mr A took time from handing out tablets to Lower Sixes to come and say hello to the students. We were privileged to have a Lab Assistant from one of the schools who had chaperoned her students. After all the formalities, the students had taster sessions in Physics, Biology and 3D printing. It’s safe to say that the taster sessions left them with a big appetite for what was to come and they proved it by a 93-100% attendance each week.

How it went
Over the following weeks, there was lots of hands-on experience in the lab including practical sessions about Electricity and Food Tests being the two favourites. Students designed 3D models in groups and presented them to the rest of the class. The guide was to design something practical that they can make use of and they didn’t disappoint.

Apart from this, there were other valuable lessons that were sharpened such as time-keeping, team work, championing each other in class and the importance of having fun while we learn.

The final session
The final session at the Mobile Lab is always a special one! Students get into groups and use the knowledge they have acquired through the term to come up with a Physics project that solves a problem in their community.

This term students presented some incredibly innovative ideas which they demonstrated with the many Physics components that were available to them. The class chipped in with questions and additions and it was wonderful to see how comfortable the class had become with each other. There was also a very practical Biology session that involved students exercise and measuring each other’s heart rate. The staff tried to join in the sprints. Let’s just say that’s a story for another day!

There was a wholesome lunch served and stories of the term gone exchanged as the lunch went down a treat!
Finally, the teachers and students divided themselves into two teams and played the Annual Mobile Science Lab football game! Despite most players doubling up as referees, it was a fun game that was won on penalties! Our woman of the match was presented with a medal 3D printed on the same day. This time, Nyasha’s team won.

Finally, students proudly presented their 3D models before saying their goodbyes.

Thank you – we did it!
First and foremost, we would like to thank the three Chitungwiza schools who trusted us with their Form 3 students this term. Your partnership and support means a lot to us! Our hope is that there will be a domino effect in your schools and the 5 students each school sent will share the knowledge they’ve gained with other students.

Thank you to our alumni who make up our team of teachers and assistants. Nyasha, Shawn, Abigail and Tawana! You are such a fun team that keeps students engaged and you share your knowledge so freely! You are the best!

Thank you to our staff who make sure things run smoothly week in, week out. And thank you to Mr Gwekwe our Trustee for helping to oversee the programme!

A final thank you to all the students who attended this term. What a fantastic group of students you were. We will certainly miss you!

Just to make you smile
To end, here are some of the wonderful things students had to say about the programme:

‘Practicals at Makomborero Zimbabwe are very fun and I enjoyed them! I learnt many things that I didn’t know e.g operating a microscope’ – Male aged 16

‘I have learnt the importance of teamwork. Makomborero staff were friendly and provided a safe environment for us to learn.’ – Female aged 15

‘I learnt that being myself is what a person needs, you don’t have to be someone else to fit in because people can still like you the way you are.’ – Female aged 16

‘My favourite Physics session was lighting up an LED and attaching components. It was my first time to do it and it was very exciting!’ – Female aged 16