• Cemastea has developed innovative teaching and learning materials to promote STEM
• It conducted a four-day Stem Mentorship and Outreach Programme in Kilifi county
Image: ELIAS YAA
An education centre has rolled out a programme to boost Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects in Kenya.
The Centre for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education in Africa (Cemastea) is focusing on hands-on learning experiences.
It hopes this will cultivate a generation of innovative learners poised to lead technological advancements in the country.
Cemastea conducted a four-day STEM Mentorship and Outreach Programme in Kilifi county designed to inspire and equip junior school learners with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in STEM subjects.
The outreach was led by Cemastea programme coordinator Beatrice Macharia.
She said it's important to give practical learning experiences, mentorship and exposure to cutting-edge science and technology.
During the outreach at various schools, including Gandini, Kachororoni, Magogoni and Pingilikani, Cemastea officials engaged students and teachers in interactive STEM activities.
"This is a very good programme because we showcase to learners and even teachers innovative activities that can enhance the teaching and learning of STEM-related areas,” she said.
"We showcase activities in mathematics, innovative activities in integrated science and ICT.
"We also have a section that we are covering on climate change so that we can address the current issues facing the country and the world at large.”
Macharia said Cemastea has developed innovative teaching and learning materials to promote the uptake of STEM education. Such initiatives are intended to support the 60 per cent transition of learners to STEM pathway in senior school.
"The activities emphasise hands-on activities, allowing learners to interact with materials so they can become creative by themselves. We are saying, don't tell learners, let learners do," she said.
Cemastea has developed innovative teaching and learning materials to promote STEM education, aiming to support the transition of learners to STEM pathways in senior school.
Macharia stressed the importance of hands-on activities to foster creativity among learners, advocating an approach where learners actively engage with materials.
She called for collaboration and partnerships to strengthen STEM subjects further.
Education officials and School managers lauded Cemastea's initiative, expressing hope that it would motivate more students to pursue STEM subjects and contribute to innovation and problem-solving.
Ganze subcounty director of education Rashid Hamisi said the STEM programme has sparked curiosity and interest amongst the students.
Speaking at Kachororoni Junior Secondary School, he said the initiative holds great promise in encouraging more learners to embrace the sciences.
Hamisi commended the programme for not only considering the learners but also the teachers in the outreach efforts.
This involvement will enhance their teaching methods, making learning more practical and complementing the Competency-Based Curriculum, he said.
“It has been very interesting. I have witnessed JS students enjoying and appreciating the programme," Hamisi said.
"It is interactive. Feedback from the teachers indicates that they have learnt a lot.
"The programme is packed with practical activities, creativity and innovation, making it learner-centred.”
He urged the education agency to extend the duration of the STEM outreach and expand its coverage to more schools to make a significant impact.
Kakoneni Zone curriculum support officer Julius Kahindi praised the programme, noting that it physically exposed learners to the real world of innovation and technology.
He said it is an opportunity many schools cannot provide due to a lack of equipment.
"I have experienced learners interacting with sophisticated materials as regards the learning areas in STEM," Kahindi said.
He urged the government and stakeholders to embrace and strengthen the STEM outreach programme to reach all schools and make it sustainable.
"This is a very important programme which, if sustained and spread to other schools, will ensure that the two-thirds of these learners in our country will proceed to undertake the STEM option,” Kahindi said.
Headteachers of the host schools said many schools lack practical learning opportunities in integrated science and mathematics.
As such, they will rely heavily on the Cemastea programme to bridge this gap.
“It is my appeal that in future the government will have the STEM programme in various stations in our subcounties or some schools," Kachororoni head teacher Susan Chome said.
"Like now if my school could be the centre of Cemastea in Ganze subcounty, it could enhance performance.”
Gandini Junior School headteacher Ellen Mwaringa said learners are eager for materials and equipment to learn STEM subjects.
She urged Cemastea officials to lobby for resources, equip teachers and make the STEM outreach a regular event to motivate students.