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STEM MODEL SCHOOL PROGRAMME

STEM MODEL SCHOOL PROGRAMME

Published in CEMASTEA News Written by  September 07 2018 font size decrease font size increase font size
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Written by: Ann Mumbi and Winfred Magu 
Photos by: Dan Orero.
 
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Model School Program was launched in 2016 to among other reasons: (a) to encourage more students to pursue STEM related career at tertiary level, (b) enhance students’ creativity, innovativeness, and (c) to grow community of problem solvers and critical thinkers. The main purpose is to narrow the gap between demand and supply of existing technical skills which are lacking and to ensure school grandaunts have desirable skills for the job market. 

The Centre for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) is the implementing institution, on behalf of the Ministry of Education, tasked to transform the102 selected public secondary school into model schools for STEM. Two secondary schools (94) in every county and one regional (8) were selected through based on their performance, locality and centrality in consultation with local stakeholders.

Mr. Stephen Njoroge, HSC Director CEMASTEA speaking to participants who are attending the Robotics Training at Kisumu Girls High School

STEM Model School Program has five keys aspects: making the school climate inviting by focusing on interrelationship or people, programs, policies, processes and physical environment or place; enhancing students’ creativity or innovativeness though creation of makerspaces and introduction of robotics; educating students for sustainability by involving them is school projects such production of food (i.e. farming, animal husbandry, etc.) as learning opportunity; incubating students’ innovation and supporting their patenting and scale up; and using innovative teaching and learning approaches such as Inquiry-based learning using the 5 E (Engage, Explore, Explain, Ellaborate & Evaluate) instructional model.

 

Mr. Patrick Kogolla, Special Programmes Coordinator CEMASTEA joining the participants during the robotics regional training.

In 2016, 329 teachers from the 102 schools were trained in 8 regional venues namely Moi Girls Eldoret for North Rift Region, Kisumu Girls for Nyanza Region, Aldina Visram Boys for Coast Region, Kangaru Girls for Lower Eastern Region, Menengai Mixed for South Rift Region, Chania Girls for Metropolitan and North Eastern Regions, Mukumu Girls for Western Region, and Tumu Tumu Girls for Central Region. The training then focused on the Interdisciplinary Approach, education for sustainability, creativity, makerspace and introduction to robotics science.

Dr. Tom Okaya, STEM Coordinator CEMASTEA taking the participants through a concept during the regional robotic training at Kisumu Girls' High School

This year 2018, about 350 teachers from the STEM Model Schools have congregated at the same venues from 13th to 17th August 2018, to delve further into robotics science or STEM Robotic Unit 10. The overall purpose of the training is to train teachers on how to use EV 3 robotic kits for teaching and learning. CEMASTEA has developed a module for taking the teachers (step-by-step) through the educational kit to enhance students’ 21st Century skills. Of great interest is international recognition of the Kit for being effective in promoting collaboration, communication, problem solving, team work, imagination, and critical thinking skills among students.  

Ms. Amina Sharbaidi, National trainer CEMASTEA engaging participants in robotics training and engaging them through 

Biology of a robot comparison of the human body and the robot

 

Teachers from STEM Model Schools learning different concepts during the regional training taking place at Kisumu Girls’ High School, Kisumu County

Madam Nancy Nui, Dean Mathematics CEMASTEA showing the participants the robotic challenge mat during the regional robotic training at Kisumu Girls' High School

               

           Participants receive certificates awarded by CEMASTEA from Dr. Musani, TSC Kisumu County Director after completion of the regional training on robotics at Kisumu Girls

 

Read 16198 times Last modified on Last modified on September 17 2018

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