The education agency Centre for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) has geared up efforts to promote the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in Kenya to cultivate an innovative generation of learners poised to drive technological advancement and development in the country.
Led by the Programme Coordinator Beatrice Macharia, 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 fields.
Speaking during the outreach at Gandini Junior School in Malindi Sub County, Macharia explained that the programme is part of broader efforts to provide hands-on learning experiences, mentorship, and exposure to cutting-edge science and technology.
CEMASTEA officials, equipped with computers, laboratory equipment and other innovative materials, visited several junior schools, including Kachororoni, Gandini, Magogoni and Pingilikani where they engaged learners and teachers in practical STEM learning activities.
During the school outreaches, students participated in interactive sessions featuring practical experiments and demonstrations by CEMASTEA experts, making the learning enjoyable and helping learners see the practical applications of their studies.
“This is a very good program because we showcase to learners and even teachers innovative activities that can enhance the teaching and learning of STEM-related areas. We showcase activities in mathematics, innovative activities in integrated science, ICT and we also have a section that we are covering on climate change so that we can address the current issues that are facing the country and the world at large” she said.
Macharia disclosed that CEMASTEA has developed innovative teaching and learning materials to promote the uptake of STEM education. Such initiatives are intended to support the 60% transition of learners to STEM pathway in Senior School.
“Our activities emphasize hands-on activities, allowing learners to interact with materials so that they can become creative by themselves. We are saying, don’t tell learners, let learners do,” she added.
She called for collaboration and partnerships to work together and offer support to make progress towards the strengthening of STEM education.
Junior School head teachers and education officials in Kilifi applauded the CEMESTEA initiative, expressing their hope that it will motivate and encourage learners to take up the STEM subjects and foster a strong tech generation that will contribute to innovation and solving of problems that the world is facing.
Kilifi County Kakoneni Zone Curriculum Support Officer Julius Kahindi praised the programme noting that it physically exposed learners to the real world of innovation and technology, an opportunity many schools cannot provide due to lack of equipment.
“I have experienced learners interacting with sophisticated materials as regards the learning areas in STEM. 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,” he said.
Kahindi urged the government and stakeholders to embrace and strengthen the STEM outreach programme to reach all schools and make it sustainable.
Headteachers of the host schools, led by Kachororoni head teacher Susan Chome, noted that many schools lack practical learning opportunities in integrated science and mathematics and would 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 sub-counties or some schools like now if my school could be the centre of CEMESTEA in Ganze sub-county it could enhance performance,” she added.
Gandini Junior School headteacher Ellen Mwaringa echoed these sentiments, stating that learners are eager for materials and equipment to learn STEM subjects. She challenged CEMASTEA officials to lobby for resources, equip teachers, and make the STEM outreach a regular event to motivate students.
By Jackson Msanzu
