top of page
Esther Kataate Namakula is a science educator from Uganda and a Ph.D. student in science education at Indiana University whose passion for physics is matched by her commitment to improving how it is taught. Drawing from her own experiences as a learner, Esther advocates for creative, student-centered approaches that make science accessible, meaningful, and inclusive. Throughout the conversation, she explores the role of imagination, inquiry, observation, and culturally responsive teaching in science education, while championing greater opportunities for girls in physics. As Esther explains, creativity is not separate from science— it is embedded in the very nature of scientific thinking and discovery.
"Creativity is part of
the nature of science."
—Esther Kataate Namakula
Esther's definition of creativity:
"Think outside-of-the-box to cause learning."
"I don't want to teach the way I was taught. I want to be better than how my teachers taught me."
—Esther Kataate Namakula
Debbi and Esther at the Indiana University School of Education, Fall 2022
bottom of page