Overview
The RAASSS program — Research Awareness Amongst Secondary School Students — is a signature youth outreach initiative by FIRAT Rwanda designed to introduce, inspire, and engage high school students in the world of research. It aims to cultivate curiosity, critical thinking, and early research competencies in young learners, creating a generation that is informed, inquisitive, and capable of evidence-based reasoning.
By bridging the gap between secondary education and scientific inquiry, RAASSS promotes research not as an elite domain, but as an accessible and transformative tool for understanding and improving the world.
Functions and Roles
1. Early Research Literacy Development:
Introduce basic research concepts, methods, and ethics to students through simplified, interactive content and age-appropriate exercises.
2. Research Clubs and Peer Circles:
Establish structured school-based research clubs where students can explore local topics, ask questions, conduct mini-projects, and learn through peer engagement.
3. Mentorship and Exposure:
Link students to university researchers, scientists, and professionals who serve as role models and provide mentorship on developing research ideas and projects.
4. Competitions and Showcases:
Organize research contests, debates, and fairs that allow students to present their findings, sharpen communication skills, and gain recognition for their efforts.
5. Teacher Engagement and Training:
Build teacher capacity to facilitate student-led research activities and integrate inquiry-based learning into regular classroom teaching.
6. Knowledge Translation Skills:
Train students on how to present and apply research in ways that are meaningful to their communities, promoting research as a driver of local development.
Key Activities
- RAASSS Research Starter Kits for Schools
- Annual Secondary School Research Competition
- Research clubs established and coordinated in secondary schools
- Training workshops on research ethics, methods, and presentation
- Essay writing and data storytelling challenges
- Interactive sessions with researchers and visiting scholars
- Community-based student mini-research projects
- Publication of a “Young Researchers Digest” featuring student work
Contact and Engagement
To register your school, volunteer as a mentor, or partner with RAASSS, please contact:
Email: [email protected]
School & Teacher Inquiries: [email protected]
Address: RAASSS Program Office, FIRAT Rwanda, Kigali Innovation City, Rwanda