TechDigest- No fewer than 500 pupils and 50 teachers drawn from public schools in underserved communities of Agege, Alimosho and Ifako-Ijaiye communities were introduced to drone technology, artificial intelligence, coding video games, weather balloon tech and solar panel assembly at the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) training in Lagos, reports DAMOLA KOLA-DARE.
Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education remains crucial to Nigeria’s future prosperity and economic competitiveness.
It is for this that no fewer than 500 secondary school pupils and 50 teachers from underserved communities of Agege, Alimosho and Ifako-Ijaiye in Lagos Education District 1 participated in a series of STEM workshops sponsored by the United States’ Consulate General in partnership with the state Ministry of Education.
During the workshops, which lasted about three weeks (October 6 to 28), participants who were mainly from public junior and senior high schools were in batches taken through six fields: cell phone repairs, artificial intelligence, solar panel assembly, weather balloon technology, coding of video games and the use of drones.
The teachers among them were presented with a toolbox each to enable them to use an integrated approach learnt to teach STEM subjects in the classroom.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the programme held at the Government Senior College in Agege last Thursday, U.S. Consulate Public Affairs Officer, Mr Stephen Ibelli, explained that the initiative was designed to stimulate and sustain the interest of pupils in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) subjects to enable them to develop careers in those areas.
According to him, the world is fast becoming technology-driven and it’s important that youths are equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to become great innovators, educators, researchers, and leaders capable of solving pressing challenges facing humanity globally
He said the workshop likely to be extended to students and teachers in other education districts is part of the U.S. Mission’s ongoing efforts to promote STEM education in Nigeria to drive innovation in the country.
Ibelli underscored the importance of STEM education to Nigeria’s future prosperity and economic competitiveness.
He noted that developing tech skills can place students on a track to future careers in computer science, robotics and artificial intelligence and prepare them to solve real life problems with more creativity, critical thinking and effectiveness.
“The U.S. Mission in Nigeria is committed to supporting initiatives that promotes STEM education in Nigeria.
“Technological knowledge is an essential element of the 21st Century economy, and it starts in the classroom.
“This workshop will boost teacher confidence and capabilities in the areas of STEM teaching and learning,” he said.
Co-founder of Global Air Drone Academy, which handled the training, Mr Eno Umoh, noted that it was important to equip pupils with skills to be problem-solvers in the 21st-century global economy.
