23/03/15

Using the sun to power education in Tanzania

To widen access to education, the SunEdu project aims to use technology to distribute up-to-date teaching materials across rural Tanzania in a simple and cost-effective way

Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

Sunshine can be a vital source of electricity in off-grid settlements. A new solar-powered learning system based on prototype e-readers was piloted in this village school in the southern region of Iringa

Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

To begin with, school textbooks were loaded onto ten e-readers (one on the right). Educational updates and other material were then uploaded to an online ‘cloud’ server from which they were downloaded to the e-readers using a wireless Bluetooth connection on a smartphone.

Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

Rural schools are also major hubs for distributing information in villages. The e-readers were regularly updated with useful information

Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

Ten pupils from this off-grid classroom in Kigonzili school tested the e-readers

Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

Researchers from the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Finland worked for two months with pupils, teachers and villagers to implement the project

Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

The e-readers and charging system were designed for people with little experience with technology by Finnish companies Leia Media and Suntrica

Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

Pupils and parents tested the e-readers in their off-grid homes, keeping diaries detailing their thoughts and experiences

Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

The solar charger — placed on the roof of this student’s home — is designed to operate even in harsh climate conditions. The device has an LED light to allow pupils to read and study at home in the evening

Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

As well as educational material, the e-readers were uploaded with local and international news, and information on health and agriculture, for use by both pupils and their families

Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

By: Giorgia Scaturro

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<div class="article-wrap">
<div id="article-introduction">
<h1>Using the sun to power education in Tanzania</h1>
<h4>By: Giorgia Scaturro</h4>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="article-img-gallery" id="image-gallery"><div class="owl-carousel"><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2_.jpg' alt='To widen access to education, the SunEdu project aims to use technology to distribute up-to-date teaching materials across rural Tanzania in a simple and cost-effective way
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2_.jpg' alt='To widen access to education, the SunEdu project aims to use technology to distribute up-to-date teaching materials across rural Tanzania in a simple and cost-effective way
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2_.jpg' alt='To widen access to education, the SunEdu project aims to use technology to distribute up-to-date teaching materials across rural Tanzania in a simple and cost-effective way
'></noscript></noscript><p>To widen access to education, the SunEdu project aims to use technology to distribute up-to-date teaching materials across rural Tanzania in a simple and cost-effective way</p>
<p><em>Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/3_.jpg' alt='Sunshine can be a vital source of electricity in off-grid settlements. A new solar-powered learning system based on prototype e-readers was piloted in this village school in the southern region of Iringa
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/3_.jpg' alt='Sunshine can be a vital source of electricity in off-grid settlements. A new solar-powered learning system based on prototype e-readers was piloted in this village school in the southern region of Iringa
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/3_.jpg' alt='Sunshine can be a vital source of electricity in off-grid settlements. A new solar-powered learning system based on prototype e-readers was piloted in this village school in the southern region of Iringa
'></noscript></noscript><p>Sunshine can be a vital source of electricity in off-grid settlements. A new solar-powered learning system based on prototype e-readers was piloted in this village school in the southern region of Iringa</p>
<p><em>Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/4-3.jpg' alt='To begin with, school textbooks were loaded onto ten e-readers (one on the right). Educational updates and other material were then uploaded to an online ‘cloud’ server from which they were downloaded to the e-readers using a wireless Bluetooth connection on a smartphone.
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/4-3.jpg' alt='To begin with, school textbooks were loaded onto ten e-readers (one on the right). Educational updates and other material were then uploaded to an online ‘cloud’ server from which they were downloaded to the e-readers using a wireless Bluetooth connection on a smartphone.
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/4-3.jpg' alt='To begin with, school textbooks were loaded onto ten e-readers (one on the right). Educational updates and other material were then uploaded to an online ‘cloud’ server from which they were downloaded to the e-readers using a wireless Bluetooth connection on a smartphone.
'></noscript></noscript><p>To begin with, school textbooks were loaded onto ten e-readers (one on the right). Educational updates and other material were then uploaded to an online ‘cloud’ server from which they were downloaded to the e-readers using a wireless Bluetooth connection on a smartphone.</p>
<p><em>Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/5_.jpg' alt='Rural schools are also major hubs for distributing information in villages. The e-readers were regularly updated with useful information
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/5_.jpg' alt='Rural schools are also major hubs for distributing information in villages. The e-readers were regularly updated with useful information
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/5_.jpg' alt='Rural schools are also major hubs for distributing information in villages. The e-readers were regularly updated with useful information
'></noscript></noscript><p>Rural schools are also major hubs for distributing information in villages. The e-readers were regularly updated with useful information</p>
<p><em>Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/6_-1.jpg' alt='Ten pupils from this off-grid classroom in Kigonzili school tested the e-readers
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/6_-1.jpg' alt='Ten pupils from this off-grid classroom in Kigonzili school tested the e-readers
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/6_-1.jpg' alt='Ten pupils from this off-grid classroom in Kigonzili school tested the e-readers
'></noscript></noscript><p>Ten pupils from this off-grid classroom in Kigonzili school tested the e-readers</p>
<p><em>Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/7-3.jpg' alt='Researchers from the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Finland worked for two months with pupils, teachers and villagers to implement the project
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/7-3.jpg' alt='Researchers from the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Finland worked for two months with pupils, teachers and villagers to implement the project
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/7-3.jpg' alt='Researchers from the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Finland worked for two months with pupils, teachers and villagers to implement the project
'></noscript></noscript><p>Researchers from the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Finland worked for two months with pupils, teachers and villagers to implement the project</p>
<p><em>Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/8-3.jpg' alt='The e-readers and charging system were designed for people with little experience with technology by Finnish companies Leia Media and Suntrica
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/8-3.jpg' alt='The e-readers and charging system were designed for people with little experience with technology by Finnish companies Leia Media and Suntrica
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/8-3.jpg' alt='The e-readers and charging system were designed for people with little experience with technology by Finnish companies Leia Media and Suntrica
'></noscript></noscript><p>The e-readers and charging system were designed for people with little experience with technology by Finnish companies Leia Media and Suntrica</p>
<p><em>Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/9_.jpg' alt='Pupils and parents tested the e-readers in their off-grid homes, keeping diaries detailing their thoughts and experiences 
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/9_.jpg' alt='Pupils and parents tested the e-readers in their off-grid homes, keeping diaries detailing their thoughts and experiences 
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/9_.jpg' alt='Pupils and parents tested the e-readers in their off-grid homes, keeping diaries detailing their thoughts and experiences 
'></noscript></noscript><p>Pupils and parents tested the e-readers in their off-grid homes, keeping diaries detailing their thoughts and experiences </p>
<p><em>Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/10-3.jpg' alt='The solar charger — placed on the roof of this student’s home — is designed to operate even in harsh climate conditions. The device has an LED light to allow pupils to read and study at home in the evening 
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/10-3.jpg' alt='The solar charger — placed on the roof of this student’s home — is designed to operate even in harsh climate conditions. The device has an LED light to allow pupils to read and study at home in the evening 
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/10-3.jpg' alt='The solar charger — placed on the roof of this student’s home — is designed to operate even in harsh climate conditions. The device has an LED light to allow pupils to read and study at home in the evening 
'></noscript></noscript><p>The solar charger — placed on the roof of this student’s home — is designed to operate even in harsh climate conditions. The device has an LED light to allow pupils to read and study at home in the evening </p>
<p><em>Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences</em></p></div><div><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/11_.jpg' alt='As well as educational material, the e-readers were uploaded with local and international news, and information on health and agriculture, for use by both pupils and their families
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img data-src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/11_.jpg' alt='As well as educational material, the e-readers were uploaded with local and international news, and information on health and agriculture, for use by both pupils and their families
' src='data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==' class='lazyload'><noscript><img src='https://www.scidev.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/11_.jpg' alt='As well as educational material, the e-readers were uploaded with local and international news, and information on health and agriculture, for use by both pupils and their families
'></noscript></noscript><p>As well as educational material, the e-readers were uploaded with local and international news, and information on health and agriculture, for use by both pupils and their families</p>
<p><em>Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences</em></p></div></div></div>
<div id="article-body">
<figure class="article-image left-image">
	<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="iringa" fileid="303505ED-1BC4-4B4D-B2D7A11E53F81E74" height="293" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/ssa_en/Iringa.jpg" width="240" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 240px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 240/293;" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="iringa" fileid="303505ED-1BC4-4B4D-B2D7A11E53F81E74" height="293" data-src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/ssa_en/Iringa.jpg" width="240" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" class="lazyload" style="--smush-placeholder-width: 240px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 240/293;" /><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="iringa" fileid="303505ED-1BC4-4B4D-B2D7A11E53F81E74" height="293" src="/wp-content/uploads/site_assets/ssa_en/Iringa.jpg" width="240" /></noscript></noscript></figure>
<p>As part of a pilot project, schoolchildren and their families in a remote Tanzanian village were able to access up-to-date <a href="https://www.scidev.net/communication/education/">educational </a>materials using e-readers <a href="https://www.scidev.net/environment/energy/">powered </a>by small photovoltaic chargers.<br />
 <br />
In areas where electricity is largely unavailable and batteries are often unaffordable, an abundant resource like sunshine could be critical for<a href="https://www.scidev.net/communication/capacity-building/"> powering education</a>. This concept was tested in Kigonzili school, in the southern Tanzanian region of Iringa, by <a href="https://www.scidev.net/enterprise/rd/">researchers </a>from the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland. <br />
 <br />
As part of the SunEdu project, ten prototype e-readers were loaded with school textbooks and loaned to ten- to 11-year-old pupils. Teachers then used existing mobile networks and a low-power connection to download further educational material. The devices can also be used to access weekly local and international news, and <a href="https://www.scidev.net/health/">healthcare</a> and <a href="https://www.scidev.net/agriculture/">agricultural information</a> of use for the wider community. Alongside Helsinki Metropolia University, the project involved two Finnish companies: solar power firm Suntrica and e-reader supplier Leia Media. The main funder was Tekes, the Finnish <a href="https://www.scidev.net/enterprise/funding/">funding </a>agency for<a href="https://www.scidev.net/enterprise/innovation/"> innovation</a>. <br />
 <br />
This photo gallery shows the two-month pilot, which ran in late 2013 to assess the project’s feasibility and its benefits for school pupils and their families. The overall SunEdu project aims to distribute up-to-date teaching materials across rural Tanzania in a simple and cost-effective way. <br />
 <br />
The partners are working with the Tanzanian <a href="https://www.scidev.net/governance/">government</a> to extend the use of these e-readers to other schools in the country. The next step is market research and fundraising for the second stage of the project: to expand the initiative to other East African countries, such as Uganda. </p>

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<p>This article was originally published on <a href="https://www.scidev.net" target="_blank">SciDev.Net</a>. Read the <a href="https://www.scidev.net/global/multimedia/solar-powered-education/" target="_blank">original article</a>.</p>
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As part of a pilot project, schoolchildren and their families in a remote Tanzanian village were able to access up-to-date educational materials using e-readers powered by small photovoltaic chargers.

In areas where electricity is largely unavailable and batteries are often unaffordable, an abundant resource like sunshine could be critical for powering education. This concept was tested in Kigonzili school, in the southern Tanzanian region of Iringa, by researchers from the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland.

As part of the SunEdu project, ten prototype e-readers were loaded with school textbooks and loaned to ten- to 11-year-old pupils. Teachers then used existing mobile networks and a low-power connection to download further educational material. The devices can also be used to access weekly local and international news, and healthcare and agricultural information of use for the wider community. Alongside Helsinki Metropolia University, the project involved two Finnish companies: solar power firm Suntrica and e-reader supplier Leia Media. The main funder was Tekes, the Finnish funding agency for innovation.

This photo gallery shows the two-month pilot, which ran in late 2013 to assess the project’s feasibility and its benefits for school pupils and their families. The overall SunEdu project aims to distribute up-to-date teaching materials across rural Tanzania in a simple and cost-effective way.

The partners are working with the Tanzanian government to extend the use of these e-readers to other schools in the country. The next step is market research and fundraising for the second stage of the project: to expand the initiative to other East African countries, such as Uganda.