STEM Africa Expands Drive to Inspire Future Innovators - InsideBusiness - Business News in Nigeria
STEM Africais stepping up efforts to equip more young people with practical science and technology skills through its flagshipSTEM Africa Fest. The organisation plans to engage at least 25,000 additional. . .
STEM Africais stepping up efforts to equip more young people with practical science and technology skills through its flagshipSTEM Africa Fest. The organisation plans to engage at least 25,000 additional children, parents and educators across Africa by promoting hands-onSTEM education. The move comes as concerns grow over the wideningSTEM skills gapin Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa, where experts believe limited access to practical learning continues to slow the growth of a globally competitive workforce. Speaking during a media briefing in Lagos, co-organiserJadesola AdedejisaidSTEM Africa Festwas created to makeSTEM educationmore accessible, practical and enjoyable for children. She explained that the initiative encourages learning beyond classroom theory and helps young people understand how science and technology apply to everyday life. “STEM Africa Fest was created to respond to the growing need to make STEM education more accessible, practical and engaging for children across Nigeria. For too long, STEM learning has been perceived as abstract, overly technical and disconnected from everyday experiences, which limits how early learners engage with it and see themselves in it,” she said. Adedeji added that the festival connects children with educators, innovators and industry partners through interactive activities while also strengthening Africa’s widerSTEM educationecosystem. She said the platform supports advocacy efforts and encourages discussions on science and technology education across the continent. Co-founder and co-organiserTiti Adewusisaid inclusion remains central toSTEM Africa Fest. She noted that at least 20 per cent of participants attend free of charge, with transport and meals provided through partner support for public schools, NGOs and SOS villages. “As female founders, we are particularly passionate about ensuring that girls are not just represented but empowered to thrive in STEM, helping to build a more diverse and inclusive pipeline of future innovators across Africa,” she said. The sixth edition, themed“Building Future Innovators,”will take place in Lagos on 18 July. Activities include robotics demonstrations, coding competitions, artificial intelligence workshops, drone technology sessions, engineering laboratories and practical sessions for parents and teachers. How important do you think practicalSTEM educationis for preparing Africa’s future workforce?Post Views:70