Week 1: Introduction to Applied Science

What is Applied Science? 🧪

Applied science is often described as the bridge between discovery and utility. It takes the fundamental
"why" and "how" questions answered by basic research and translates them into "what if we used this
to..." solutions for tangible problems. It's about moving from understanding a phenomenon to
harnessing it for practical benefit.

Think of it this way: Pure science (also called basic or fundamental science) is like discovering the laws of
physics that govern electricity. It's about understanding the natural world, driven by curiosity, without
immediate thought of application. Applied science then asks, "Now that we understand electricity, how
can we use it to power homes, communicate over distances, or light up cities?" It's still scientific in its
rigor, but its purpose is distinctively practical.

The goal is not just to know, but to do. This could involve:

Improving existing technologies (e.g., making solar panels more efficient).

Developing entirely new products or services (e.g., creating a new drug to combat a specific disease).

Solving societal challenges (e.g., developing water purification systems for rural communities).

Optimizing industrial processes (e.g., using AI to improve manufacturing efficiency).

Relationship with Pure Science & Engineering: This is a continuum, not rigid silos.

Pure Science: Generates the foundational knowledge. It aims to explain the universe's most basic
principles. Examples: Understanding genetic codes, discovering new chemical elements, theorizing
about black holes. Without this fundamental understanding, applied science would have nothing to
apply.

Applied Science: Acts as the translator and developer. It takes those pure scientific insights and begins
the process of converting them into something usable. Examples: Developing gene therapy techniques
based on genetic code understanding, synthesizing new materials based on understanding elemental
properties, creating navigation systems based on astrophysical principles.

Engineering: Focuses on the systematic design, construction, and operation of structures, machines, and
processes using the knowledge derived from both pure and applied science. Engineers are problem-
solvers who take the applied science concepts and build robust, scalable, and safe solutions. Examples:
Designing a gene therapy delivery mechanism, engineering a process for mass-producing new materials,
building and deploying satellites for navigation.

Analogy: Pure science discovers the laws of aerodynamics. Applied science investigates how different
wing shapes generate lift. Engineering then designs and builds an airplane based on those findings.

Key Characteristics:

Problem-focused: Always starts with a specific problem or need that requires a solution.

Solution-oriented: The ultimate aim is to create a tangible solution, whether it's a new product, process,
or service.

Often Interdisciplinary: Applied problems rarely fit neatly into one scientific discipline. Solving them
often requires combining knowledge from physics, chemistry, biology, computer science, etc. For
instance, developing a new biodegradable plastic involves chemistry (for material properties) and
environmental science (for degradation rates).

Relies on Experimentation and Data: Like pure science, rigorous experimentation and systematic data
collection and analysis are crucial for validating solutions and ensuring their effectiveness.
Driven by Societal Needs or Industrial Demands: Funding and direction for applied research often come
from governments addressing public health, environmental issues, or from industries seeking
competitive advantages.

Examples of Applied Science Fields: These are broad categories, and many specific disciplines fall within
them.

Biomedical Science: Developing new diagnostic tools, therapies, and preventative measures for human
health (e.g., creating rapid test kits for infectious diseases like cholera or dengue, common in Kenya).

Materials Science: Designing and developing new materials with specific properties (e.g., lighter alloys
for aircraft, self-healing concrete, advanced polymers for packaging).

Environmental Science: Developing solutions for environmental problems (e.g., technologies for
wastewater treatment, carbon capture, renewable energy systems like geothermal in the Rift Valley).

Agricultural Science: Improving crop yields, animal health, and food processing (e.g., developing
drought-resistant maize varieties, biofortification of staple crops).

Food Science: Ensuring food safety, quality, and developing new food products (e.g., improving shelf-life
of perishable goods, developing nutrient-fortified foods for vulnerable populations).

Forensic Science: Applying scientific methods to solve crimes (e.g., DNA fingerprinting, ballistic analysis).

Computer Science (Applied Component): Developing algorithms for specific applications, creating
software solutions, machine learning for predictive analysis (e.g., building AI models for disease
prediction based on medical images).
Week 2: The Scientific Method in Applied Contexts

The Scientific Method (Review): This is the bedrock of all scientific inquiry, providing a structured
approach to problem-solving.

Observation/Question: This is the starting point. In applied science, the observation is often a real-world
problem or unmet need. For instance, observing that a particular crop consistently suffers from a
specific pest, or that a community lacks clean drinking water. The question then becomes: "How can we
effectively control this pest without harmful chemicals?" or "What's an affordable way to purify water in
this region?"

Hypothesis Formulation: A hypothesis is an educated guess or a testable prediction about the

relationship between variables. In applied science, it's often a proposed solution. For example: "If we
introduce predator insect 'X' into the crop field, then the population of pest 'Y' will decrease by 50%
within a month without affecting beneficial insects." Or, "A solar-powered UV water purification system
will reduce waterborne diseases in 'Village A' by 70% within six months."

Experimentation/Data Collection: This is where the hypothesis is rigorously tested.

Design: For the pest example, it would involve setting up controlled experimental plots (some with the
predator, some without – the control group), ensuring consistent conditions (soil type, sunlight), and
carefully measuring pest populations. For the water purification system, it would mean deploying the
system, collecting water samples before and after treatment, and tracking disease incidence in the
community.

Variables:

Independent Variable: What you change or manipulate (e.g., presence/absence of predator insect, type
of water purification system).

Dependent Variable: What you measure or observe that changes in response (e.g., pest population
count, incidence of waterborne diseases, water quality parameters).
Controlled Variables: Factors kept constant to ensure they don't influence the results (e.g., amount of
water treated, initial pest load).

Analysis: Once data is collected, it must be organized, processed, and interpreted.

This involves using appropriate statistical tools (e.g., t-tests to compare means, regression analysis to
find relationships, ANOVA to compare multiple groups).

Data visualization (graphs, charts) is crucial for identifying trends, anomalies, and patterns that might
not be obvious in raw data.

Conclusion: Based on the analysis, you determine if the data supports or refutes your hypothesis.

If supported: The solution might be viable and warrant further development.

If refuted: The hypothesis needs to be revised, or a new one formulated, leading back to the beginning
of the process.

Crucially, conclusions must be objective and based only on the evidence.

Adapting for Applied Science:

Problem-Driven Hypothesis: The "if-then" statement directly addresses a practical problem. It's not just
about understanding why something happens, but how to make something happen (or stop happening).
Focus on Efficacy & Efficiency: An applied solution isn't just "right" or "wrong"; it also needs to be
effective (does it solve the problem?) and efficient (is it cost-effective, sustainable, scalable?). For
instance, a water filter might work, but is it affordable for rural Kenyans? Can it be easily maintained?

Iterative Process: Applied science is rarely a linear journey. Initial solutions often need refinement. This
means going back to observation, re-hypothesizing, and re-testing. For example, a new drug might show
promise, but further trials might reveal side effects, requiring reformulation.

Challenges in Applied Research:

Real-world Variables: Laboratory experiments offer controlled conditions, but deploying solutions in the
real world introduces countless uncontrolled variables (weather, human behavior, existing
infrastructure, unexpected soil conditions). This adds complexity and often requires larger-scale field
trials.

Ethical Considerations: This is paramount. For example, testing new agricultural practices might affect
livelihoods, or testing new drugs involves human participants. Ensuring informed consent, minimizing
harm, and ensuring equitable benefits are critical.

Translational Gap ("Valley of Death"): This refers to the difficulty in transitioning promising scientific
discoveries from the laboratory to practical, widely adopted applications. It's often due to a lack of
funding for the intermediate stages of development and prototyping.

Funding & Commercial Viability: Applied research often requires significant investment. The potential
solution must not only work but also be economically feasible to produce, distribute, and maintain,
especially in developing contexts like Kenya where cost-effectiveness is vital.

Week 3: Data Collection and Analysis in Applied Science

Importance of Data: Data is the lifeblood of applied science. It provides the empirical evidence needed
to validate hypotheses, quantify the impact of interventions, identify trends, make informed decisions,
and justify investment in a solution. Without robust data, solutions are based on assumptions, not
evidence.
Types of Data:

Quantitative Data: Deals with numbers and things that can be measured objectively.

Examples: Crop yield (tonnes/acre), temperature (°C), pH levels, disease incidence rates (cases/1000
people), concentration of pollutants (ppm), sales figures for a new product, reaction times.

Analysis: Primarily statistical methods.

Qualitative Data: Deals with descriptions, observations, and insights that are not easily quantifiable. It
provides context, meaning, and understanding of human experiences or complex phenomena.

Examples: Farmers' perceptions of a new agricultural technology, patient experiences with a new drug,
community feedback on a water project, observational notes on environmental changes.

Analysis: Focuses on identifying themes, patterns, and narratives.

Data Collection Methods: The choice of method depends on the research question, available resources,
and the type of data needed.

Experiments: The gold standard for establishing cause-and-effect relationships in controlled settings. For
example, testing the efficacy of a new vaccine in a clinical trial.

Surveys/Questionnaires: Efficient for collecting standardized quantitative and some qualitative data
from a large number of people. Useful for understanding public opinion, market demand, or health
practices.
Observations: Direct and systematic watching of behaviors or phenomena in their natural environment.
Can be structured (with checklists) or unstructured (field notes). Useful for understanding how a system
operates or how people interact with a technology.

Interviews/Focus Groups: In-depth qualitative methods for exploring complex issues, opinions, and
experiences. Interviews are one-on-one; focus groups involve a small group discussing a topic. Useful for
understanding motivations, barriers, or unforeseen consequences.

Sensors/Automated Devices: Used for continuous, precise, and often remote data capture. Essential in
environmental monitoring (e.g., air quality sensors in Nairobi, weather stations for agriculture),
industrial process control, or patient vital signs monitoring.

Existing Databases: Utilizing previously collected and stored data (e.g., national census data, health
records, climate archives, satellite imagery). This can save time and resources but requires careful
consideration of data quality and relevance.

Data Analysis Techniques: Transforming raw data into meaningful insights.

Descriptive Statistics: Summarize and describe the main features of a dataset. They don't make
inferences beyond the data.

Measures of Central Tendency: Mean (average), Median (middle value), Mode (most frequent value).

Measures of Dispersion: Standard Deviation (spread of data), Range (difference between max and min),
Variance.

Inferential Statistics: Used to draw conclusions and make predictions about a larger population based on
data from a sample.
Hypothesis Testing: T-tests (comparing two means), ANOVA (comparing three or more means), Chi-
square tests (for categorical data).

Regression Analysis: Examining relationships between variables (e.g., how fertilizer amount affects crop
yield).

Data Visualization: Crucial for communicating complex data clearly and effectively to diverse audiences
(scientists, policymakers, the public).

Charts: Bar charts, line graphs, pie charts.

Graphs: Scatter plots, histograms.

Dashboards: Interactive displays for real-time monitoring and key performance indicators (KPIs).

Modeling & Simulation: Creating mathematical or computational representations of real-world systems

to predict behavior, test scenarios, or optimize processes. Used in urban planning, climate prediction,
drug discovery, and logistics.

Qualitative Analysis Software: Tools like NVivo or ATLAS.ti help organize, code, and analyze large
volumes of text or multimedia qualitative data, identifying recurring themes and patterns.

Considerations:

Data Integrity: Ensuring data is accurate, complete, and consistent.

Validity: Does the data measure what it's supposed to measure? (e.g., is your pest count truly reflecting
the population?).
Reliability: Can the data collection process be repeated with consistent results?

Sample Size: Is the sample large enough and representative of the population to draw valid conclusions?

Potential Biases: Avoiding selection bias (who is included in the study), measurement bias (errors in data
collection), or confirmation bias (interpreting results to fit expectations).

Week 4: Ethical Considerations in Applied Science

Definition of Ethics in Science: More than just following rules, it's about making morally sound
judgments in the pursuit and application of scientific knowledge. It ensures that scientific advancements
benefit humanity and the planet, rather than causing harm or injustice.

Key Ethical Principles: These principles guide responsible research and development.

Beneficence: The obligation to do good, to maximize possible benefits to subjects and society, and
minimize potential harm. For example, developing a new drug with clear therapeutic benefits.

Non-maleficence: The foundational principle of "do no harm." This means researchers must assess and
mitigate any potential risks or negative consequences of their work. For instance, ensuring that a new
agricultural practice doesn't cause environmental degradation or displacement of local communities.

Autonomy: Respecting the rights of individuals to make their own informed decisions.

Informed Consent: In research involving human subjects, this is critical. Participants must be fully
informed about the study's purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits before agreeing to participate. This
is especially vital in Kenya, given past instances of unethical trials.
Privacy and Confidentiality: Protecting personal data and ensuring that individuals' identities are not
compromised.

Justice: Fairness in the distribution of research benefits and burdens.

Equitable Access: Ensuring that the benefits of new technologies (e.g., vaccines, clean energy solutions)
are accessible to all, not just privileged groups.

Fair Selection of Subjects: Avoiding exploitation of vulnerable populations (e.g., poor communities,
prisoners) for research that primarily benefits others.

Integrity: Upholding honesty, transparency, and accountability in all scientific activities.

Avoiding Plagiarism: Presenting others' work or ideas as one's own.

Data Fabrication/Falsification: Making up or altering data to fit desired outcomes. This undermines the
credibility of science.

Transparency: Openly reporting methods, results, and limitations, even negative findings.

Ethical Challenges in Specific Fields: Applied science often presents unique dilemmas due to its direct
impact.

Biomedical Science:

Gene Editing (CRISPR): Ethical debates around "designer babies" and potential unintended
consequences on the human germline.
Human Cloning: Profound moral and societal implications.

Drug Testing on Vulnerable Populations: Ensuring ethical conduct in clinical trials, especially in countries
with less stringent oversight.

Patient Data Privacy: The use of large health datasets for AI research, balancing innovation with
individual privacy.

Environmental Science:

Geoengineering: Large-scale interventions (e.g., stratospheric aerosol injection) to combat climate

change, with unknown long-term consequences.

Impact of Interventions on Ecosystems: Ensuring that solutions to one environmental problem don't
create others (e.g., new biofuel crops competing with food crops).

Equitable Distribution of Environmental Burdens: Avoiding the placement of polluting industries in

disadvantaged communities.

Artificial Intelligence/Computer Science:

Algorithmic Bias: AI systems learning from biased data, leading to discriminatory outcomes (e.g., in loan
applications, facial recognition).

Data Privacy: Extensive data collection by AI systems raises concerns about surveillance and individual
rights.

Job Displacement: The ethical responsibility to address societal changes brought about by automation.
Autonomous Weapons: The moral implications of machines making life-or-death decisions.

Agricultural Science:

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Debates about safety, impact on biodiversity, farmer
dependence on seed companies, and labeling.

Pesticide Use: Balancing pest control with potential harm to human health and the environment.

Land Use Change: The ethical implications of converting natural habitats for agricultural expansion.

Regulatory Frameworks & Oversight: To address these challenges, various bodies and rules are in place.

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs): Committees at academic and research institutions that review and
approve all research involving human subjects to ensure it meets ethical guidelines. Essential in Kenyan
universities and research centers.

Ethics Committees: Broader committees that provide ethical guidance for research projects and
organizational practices.

Professional Codes of Conduct: Developed by professional bodies (e.g., medical associations,

engineering societies) outlining ethical responsibilities for their members.

Government Regulations: Laws governing research, data use, product development, and environmental
protection (e.g., Kenya's Data Protection Act, environmental impact assessments).
Responsibilities of Applied Scientists: Beyond technical competence, applied scientists have a moral
duty.

To consider the broader societal impact of their work, both positive and negative.

To engage in public discourse about their findings and their implications.

To uphold professional integrity by conducting research honestly and transparently.

To advocate for policies that ensure the ethical application of science.

Week 5: Innovation and Technology Transfer

Innovation: This is more than just inventing something new; it's about bringing that new idea or
invention successfully to market and creating value. It's the successful implementation of creative ideas.

Invention vs. Innovation: An invention is the creation of a new idea or device (e.g., the internet
protocol). Innovation is the practical application of that invention in a way that creates value and is
widely adopted (e.g., the World Wide Web, e-commerce, social media).

Types of Innovation: Innovation can manifest in various forms.

Product Innovation: Creating new goods or services, or significantly improving existing ones. (e.g., the
smartphone, electric vehicles, a new type of fortified flour).

Process Innovation: Developing new and improved methods of production, delivery, or operation. Often
leads to cost reductions or increased efficiency. (e.g., assembly line manufacturing, just-in-time
inventory systems, automated medical diagnostic procedures).
Business Model Innovation: Fundamental changes in how a company creates, delivers, and captures
value. (e.g., Netflix shifting from DVD rentals to streaming, M-Pesa's mobile money transfer service
revolutionizing financial inclusion in Kenya).

Service Innovation: Creating new services or improving the delivery and experience of existing ones.
(e.g., telemedicine, online banking, personalized education platforms).

Role of Applied Science in Innovation: Applied science is the engine of practical innovation.

It takes the potential of basic research and makes it realizable.

It generates proof-of-concept prototypes, demonstrating that a scientific principle can be used to solve a
specific problem.

It conducts the necessary experiments and data collection to show efficacy and feasibility in a practical
setting, bridging the gap between theoretical possibility and tangible application.

It provides the technical foundation upon which engineers and entrepreneurs can build commercial
products and services.

Technology Transfer: The crucial process of moving knowledge, expertise, and intellectual property (IP)
from its point of origin to where it can be applied to create new products, processes, or services. This is
especially important for public research institutions (universities, national labs) that often generate
foundational applied science.

Mechanisms:

Licensing Agreements: A common way for universities to allow companies to use their patented
technologies for a fee.
Joint Ventures/Collaborations: Partnerships between research institutions and industry to co-develop
technologies.

Spin-off Companies (Startups): Researchers leaving academia to form new companies based on their
applied science discoveries.

Publications & Conferences: Disseminating knowledge widely, allowing others to build upon it.

Informal Networks: Scientists and engineers sharing ideas and expertise.

Commercialization Process: The journey from a scientific idea to a marketable product. This is a multi-
stage process that requires different types of expertise and funding at each stage.

Research & Development (R&D): From basic research to applied research (developing prototypes and
proving concepts).

Pilot Production/Prototyping: Small-scale testing of the solution in a more realistic environment to

identify kinks and refine the design. (e.g., field testing a small batch of a new fertilizer).

Market Research: Assessing the market size, customer needs, competitive landscape, and potential
demand for the innovation. Is there a genuine need and willingness to pay?

Investment & Funding: Securing capital from various sources (venture capitalists, grants, government
funds, angel investors) to scale up operations, manufacture, and market the product. This is where the
"Valley of Death" often occurs.

Manufacturing & Distribution: Scaling up production, setting up supply chains, and establishing
distribution channels to get the product to the target market.
Challenges in Innovation & Tech Transfer: These are significant hurdles that can prevent promising
scientific breakthroughs from reaching the market.

Valley of Death: The funding gap between early-stage research (often publicly funded) and the later-
stage development needed for commercialization (which private investors are often unwilling to fund
due to high risk). Bridging this requires specific support mechanisms like incubators, accelerators, and
early-stage venture capital.

Intellectual Property (IP) Issues: Navigating patents, copyrights, and trade secrets is complex. Ensuring
that inventors are protected and incentivized, while also allowing for broader access and development.

Market Acceptance: Even a scientifically sound solution might fail if it doesn't meet customer needs, is
too expensive, or faces cultural resistance.

Scalability: A prototype that works in a lab might be difficult or too expensive to produce at a mass scale.

Regulatory Hurdles: New technologies often face strict regulations (e.g., drug approval processes by the
Pharmacy and Poisons Board in Kenya, environmental regulations for new industrial processes).
Navigating these can be time-consuming and costly.

Human Capital: A lack of skilled personnel in R&D, engineering, and business development can hinder
innovation efforts.

Week 6: Case Studies in Applied Science

Purpose: Case studies are powerful learning tools. They move from abstract concepts to concrete
examples, showing how the principles of applied science (scientific method, data analysis, ethical
considerations, innovation) play out in real-world scenarios. By analyzing successes and failures,
students can develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of the complexities involved.
Analytical Framework for Case Studies: When approaching a case study, use this structure to ensure a
comprehensive analysis.

Identify the Problem: Clearly articulate the specific challenge or unmet need that the applied science
initiative aimed to address. This should be a well-defined problem statement.

Example: For M-Pesa: The problem was a large unbanked population with limited access to traditional
financial services, making remittances difficult and costly.

Scientific Principles Applied: What fundamental scientific or engineering knowledge underpinned the
solution? While applied science is practical, it's rooted in deeper understanding.

Example: For M-Pesa: Principles of cryptography and network security for secure transactions, basic
computer science for software development, behavioral economics for understanding user adoption.

Methodology/Approach: How was the solution developed, tested, and implemented? Describe the
steps, experimental design (if applicable), and deployment strategy.

Example: For M-Pesa: Initial pilot project with a small group of users, iterative development based on
user feedback, leveraging existing mobile phone network infrastructure, agent network development.

Results & Impact: What were the measurable outcomes? Quantify if possible. What was the broader
societal or economic impact?

Example: For M-Pesa: Rapid adoption (over 50 million users in Kenya), significant increase in financial
inclusion, lower cost of remittances, emergence of a vibrant digital economy, recognized as a global
innovation benchmark.

Challenges & Limitations: What difficulties were encountered during development or implementation?
What are the inherent limitations of the solution?
Example: For M-Pesa: Initial regulatory skepticism, building trust in a new financial system, security
concerns, adapting to evolving user needs, ensuring interoperability.

Future Directions: What are the next steps for this technology or solution? What are its broader
implications or potential for adaptation to other contexts?

Example: For M-Pesa: Expansion into loans, savings, insurance; cross-border payments; potential for use
in other developing economies; integration with other digital services.

Potential Case Study Areas (Examples with specific Kenyan/African context):

Agriculture & Food Security:

Problem: Low crop yields, susceptibility to pests (e.g., Fall Armyworm), drought.

Applied Science Solution:

Development of Drought-Resistant Maize Varieties: Utilizing plant breeding (classical or biotechnology

like marker-assisted selection) to create maize varieties that can withstand prolonged dry spells, crucial
in arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya. Agri-biotech institutes like KALRO and CGIAR centers (e.g.,
CIMMYT) are key here.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Techniques: Moving beyond sole reliance on chemical pesticides.
Developing biological controls (e.g., using natural predators or parasites), pest-resistant crops, and
monitoring systems to minimize pest damage while reducing environmental harm. Example: Push-pull
technology developed by ICIPE to control stemborers and striga weed in maize.
Precision Agriculture: Using GIS, remote sensing (satellite imagery), and IoT sensors to collect data on
soil moisture, nutrient levels, and crop health, enabling farmers to apply water and fertilizers precisely
where and when needed, optimizing resource use and yield. Startups like Afeefa or Cropnuts are active
in this space.

Impact: Increased food production, improved farmer livelihoods, reduced reliance on chemical inputs,
enhanced climate resilience.

Healthcare & Public Health:

Problem: High burden of infectious diseases (Malaria, TB, HIV/AIDS), limited access to diagnostics in
remote areas, rise of non-communicable diseases.

Applied Science Solution:

Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs): Developing affordable, easy-to-use RDTs for diseases like malaria,
allowing for quick diagnosis and treatment even in rural clinics without extensive lab facilities.

Vaccine Development & Delivery: Applied immunology and pharmacology to develop new vaccines (e.g.,
against malaria, HIV) and optimizing cold chain logistics for their effective delivery across diverse
terrains. Local research efforts at KEMRI.

Mobile Health (mHealth) Solutions: Leveraging mobile phone technology for patient monitoring (e.g., for
diabetes or hypertension), appointment reminders, health education, and even remote diagnostic
support. e.g., M-TIBA in Kenya for health insurance and payments.

Impact: Earlier diagnosis, improved patient outcomes, more efficient and accessible healthcare delivery,
reduced disease burden.

Environmental Management & Sustainability:

Problem: Water scarcity and pollution, rampant deforestation, increasing plastic waste, and the impacts
of climate change (e.g., erratic rainfall, floods).

Applied Science Solution:

Water Purification Technologies: Developing affordable and robust technologies for purifying
contaminated water or desalinating brackish water for drinking, often using membrane filtration or solar
disinfection (SODIS). Rural water projects often employ basic applied science solutions.

Sustainable Energy Solutions: Research and development in solar power (improving panel efficiency and
battery storage), geothermal energy (Kenya is a leader in this), and biomass conversion to reduce
reliance on fossil fuels. Ol Karia geothermal plant is a prime example.

Waste-to-Energy Conversion: Developing processes to convert municipal solid waste or agricultural

waste into usable energy (biogas, electricity), addressing both waste management and energy needs.

Bioremediation: Using microorganisms to break down pollutants in contaminated soil or water.

Impact: Resource conservation, pollution reduction, climate change mitigation, sustainable resource
management.

Information & Communication Technology (ICT) for Development:

Problem: The digital divide (lack of internet access), inefficient public services, lack of financial inclusion
for the majority.

Applied Science Solution:

Mobile Money Platforms (e.g., M-Pesa): This is a prime example. Applied computer science and network
engineering enabled secure, fast, and accessible financial transactions via mobile phones, even basic
feature phones.

Localized Digital Content: Developing educational apps, agricultural information platforms, or health
messages tailored to local languages and contexts.

Low-Cost Internet Access Solutions: Research into alternative technologies like TV White Spaces or
community networks to provide affordable internet in underserved areas.

Data Analytics for Public Policy: Using big data and AI to analyze trends in health, education, or urban
planning to inform policy decisions (e.g., predicting disease outbreaks or traffic congestion).

Impact: Enhanced financial inclusion, improved public service delivery, creation of new digital
economies, increased access to information and opportunities.

This expounded version provides much more detail, practical examples (some specific to Kenya), and a
deeper understanding of the concepts within "Applied Science."