PanAfricare, ExxonMobil Foundation Launch Project To Enhance STEM Learning In Rivers
The Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs),under the agies of PanAfricare, Tech Women, ExonMobil Foundation,has launched the INSPIRE Project to boost Science,Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)education in Rivers.
The PanAfricare Country Director, Nigeria, Dr Patrick Adah during the unveiling of the Innovation, STEM Inspire Project on Friday in Port Harcourt, said that the aim was to revolutionize the teaching and learning of STEM-based subjects.
Adah said that the Innovation, Stem, and Partnerships for Inclusive and Relevant Education(INSPIRE),was funded by ExxonMobil Foundation and partnered with TechWomen Alumni Association Nigeria, and PanAfricare.
He noted that the initiative aligned with the federal government’s vision for STEM education in Nigeria and would prepare students for the job market.
He also explained that the project was earlier launched in FCT, Bauchi, Kaduna, Lagos, Abia, and the unveiling of the project in Rivers as one of the benefiting states for the 14 selected underserved secondary schools across Nigeria.
Adah stated that the project’s primary goal was to enhance the innovative skills of students, empowering them to address challenges and develop practical solutions within their communities.
He stressed that the key objectives include bridging the resource gap, strengthening teachers’ capacity, increasing access to innovative teaching tools, and expanding students’ exposure to diverse STEM topics.
The PanAfricare Country Director expressed gratitude to ExxonMobil for the funding and the Rivers State Government for supporting the project’s implementation.
Adah mentioned some of the remarkable achievements of the PanAfricare’s future skill projects including the INSPIRE Award by Government Secondary School, Garki, that earned them a place at the World Robotics Championship in Houston, Texas.
Another achievment was the innovation project award by the Government Science Secondary School, Maitama, that qualified them for the Open Africa Championship in South Africa.
Similarly, Mrs Damilola Anwo-Ade, Inspire Programme Lead, Tech Women Nigeria, while giving the project overview, highlighted the importance of inclusion, noting that the project focuses on empowering teachers and students, including those with disabilities.
Anwo-Ade emphasized the need for intentional efforts to bring technology to schools, citing examples such as 3D printers and virtual reality as game changer formation.
She said that the Inspire project had recorded significant progress, discribing the teachers training workshops as transformational.
According to her, teachers had reported improved ability to deliver engaging STEM lessons, and students benefiting from interactive learning experiences.
“This project is being implemented in several states, with Rivers state being the last stop for training.
“TechWomen Association remains committed to using our skills, experience, and network to empower the next generation of STEM leaders,”she said.
In a response, Dr Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Education, expressed gratitude to ExxonMobil Foundation for advancing education and empowering communities through STEM programme.
Uzoma-Nwogu represented by Dr Janet Amadi, the Acting Chairman/Director Administration, Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board(RSSSB),also commended the PanAfricare and Tech Women for bridging the gender gap in technology and building capacity among women in STEM.
She stated that the 15 trained teachers from various schools were expected to return to their schools as ambassadors of innovation, urging them to inspire students careers in digital literacy and entrepreneurship.
The Permanent Secretary advised the school principals to ensure that the trained teachers teach the students with the technology tools and awaken creativity and potential in them.
Meanwhile, Mrs Worgu Sosoma-Ala, Head of Directors, Mathematics Department, Oginigba Comprehensive Secondary School, on behalf of the trained teachers commended the organisers of the project for advancing education in public schools.
Sosoma-Ala said that the training on 3D modeling, robotics, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) technologies were game-changer in STEM education.
She said that the training would inspire students, enhance their understanding, and make learning more engaging and interactive for them.
She appealed to government to invest more in the innovation, STEM education, especially in public schools to bridge the gap in education.
The items in the unveiled INSPIRE box includes Merge Cube- only Senior Secondary School 3D Printer, Filament, Microcontroller Google Cardboard Head set, Board Games, Modem and Data, Coding Software Laptop-1, Mobile Phone-1 and Box for items.
While those for Junior Secondary School was Pre-packaged Laboratory Equipment comprising of 48 core science equipment, 30 educational charts, booklets, and models, and 230 core science equipment, 20 science models Pre-packaged Laboratory Equipment for Senior Secondary School to enhance teaching and learning in STEM subjects.
The highlights of the event includes unveiling and inspection of INSPIRE box, and presentation of the certificate of donation to benefiting schools
PanAfricare, ExxonMobil Foundation Launch Project To Enhance STEM Learning In Rivers is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
