US consulate says its keen on STEM education in Nigeria
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A group of 50 teachers and more than 500 secondary students in Lagos have been trained by the US consulate in Nigeria on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) methods, pillars of high tech dominating the world economy.
In the United States and in almost every other country, there is a shortage of qualified graduates to work in high tech jobs. The US in particular tries to fill the skills gap by recruiting such geeks from India, Nigeria, and Brazil among other nations.
The US consulate has just held a series of STEM workshops for more than 500 high school students from underserved communities of Agege, Alimosho, and Ifako-Ijaiye in Lagos Education District 1.
US Consulate Public Affairs Officer Stephen Ibelli explained that the initiative is to stimulate the interest of students in math and science as well as careers in STEM fields.
__________________________________________________________________
Related articles:
Nigerians most educated US residents. 14,000 in higher institutions there
US consulate invites applicants for women entrepreneurship scheme
Nigeria imports $580m cassava by-products yearly, US to help with research
__________________________________________________________________
Ibelli said the workshops are part of efforts by the US Mission to promote STEM education in Nigeria which ensures access to STEM fields, drives innovation, and creates conditions for a more prosperous society, per reporting by Vanguard.
“The US Mission in Nigeria is committed to supporting programs that provide youth with access to quality technological learning opportunities,” Ibelli stressed.
“In a world that’s becoming increasingly technology-driven, it’s more important than ever before for our youth to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to become innovators, educators, researchers, and leaders who can solve the most pressing challenges facing our world, both today and tomorrow.”
Importance of STEM skills
Eno Umoh, co-founder of Global Air Drone Academy (GADA), highlighted the importance of equipping students with skills to succeed in the 21st century global economy.
He said an education that develops tech skills places students on track to acquire STEM enabling competencies like critical and computational thinking, collaboration, and creativity that has lifelong advantages.
“All we need is the spark that will inspire the students’ curiosity and interest in science and math that can lead to career opportunities in STEM fields,” he added.
The capacity building program tagged “Global Air Drone Challenge for Students” was led by instructors from GADA in the US in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Education.
GADA built on the workshop on Global Air Drone Challenge for Teachers last month which introduced 50 teachers from Agege, Alimosho, and Ifako-Ijaiye to the best practices in an integrated approach to teaching STEM subjects.
US Mission said the capacity building workshops for teachers and students support its goal of strengthening human capital for an inclusive Nigerian economic growth and human development.
Teachers and students learned how to build, program, and fly drones, computer coding, solar panel assembly, weather balloon technology, cell phone repair, artificial intelligence, and coding of video games.
Impactful experience for teachers
Ibelli said the aim is to offer innovative tools for teachers from public high schools to teach STEM subjects and better prepare Nigerian youth for 21st century challenges, according to Vanguard.
He stressed that tech skills place students on a track to future careers in computer science, robotics, and artificial intelligence, preparing 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 teacher training workshop will boost teacher confidence and capabilities in the areas of STEM teaching and learning,” he said.
One of the teachers, Morayo Oyin-Adejobi, described her experience as “impactful”, adding that she was inspired on how best to encourage students’ interest and participation in STEM related activities in the classroom.
“Through this workshop, I have learned the various applications of drones in everyday life. I am taking everything I have learned to my students and to encourage them to pursue careers in the STEM fields,” she said.
The US Consulate provided all 50 teachers a “Drone in a Box” each to take back to their classrooms to enable them and their students put the new skills to use.
The Global Air Drone Challenge for Teachers is one of US Mission’s many initiatives that expand people-to-people ties and educational linkages between the US and Nigeria, engage underserved communities, and strengthen human capital for an inclusive Nigerian economic growth and human development.