Educationist urges learners to tap talent through Innovation, Technology

IAN CHEPKUTO-KNA

Learners have been urged to develop their talents by embracing innovation, science, and technology as key drivers of positive societal change.

Speaking at the close of a five-day intensive STEM boot camp held at the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA), Karen Campus, Acting Chief Executive Officer Gladys Masai said the programme exposes learners to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), which is critical in shaping their future careers.

Masai said that the platform provides young people with a valuable opportunity to showcase their skills and learn from experts, enabling them to realise their full potential and develop their careers.

She commended the young innovators for effectively using technology to communicate, solve problems and develop innovative solutions, including coding in Scratch and Python, creating website prototypes and designing presentations addressing global plastic pollution and other real world challenges.

“We have witnessed great learning throughout the week. You have gained valuable skills by thinking critically and solving problems through your projects,” she said.

Masai added that the innovative ideas developed during the boot camp, including systems to detect water levels and prevent tank leakages, ATM money transfers and automated doors and sensors, are intended to make life easier when implemented.

She revealed plans to expand the boot camps to other regions across the country to broaden access to STEM education. “As we issue certificates today, we are celebrating your achievement and the skills you have gained,” she said.

National Trainer and Coordinator of the STEM Boot Camp at CEMASTEA, Mr Martin Mungai, said the programme has equipped learners with critical skills by exposing them to robotics, coding and Arduino technologies.

“It has been exciting to see what these young minds are able to do in terms of creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. These are skills for the future,” he said. 

Mungai observed that many learners joined the programme with little or no prior exposure to such technologies but quickly adapted and developed practical projects within a short time.

“It is impressive to see them pick up knowledge and skills very fast and apply them in real projects. Some are even integrating elements of artificial intelligence in their work,” he added.

However, he cited limited exposure and inadequate teacher training remain key challenges affecting STEM uptake in the country.

“One of the gaps is that many students have not had prior exposure, and some teachers may lack the necessary skills. We are working to support teachers and smoked fish.

The initiative is expected to increase profits, reduce post-harvest losses, and create diverse job opportunities for young men and women in the county.

The programme is being implemented under the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP) through the Advancing Resilient Nutrition-Sensitive Aquaculture (ARNSA) project.

The project is funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) through training and capacity building so they can cascade these skills in schools,” he said.

Mungai said CEMASTEA is collaborating with partners to strengthen digital literacy through the provision of robotics kits and teacher training in emerging technologies, in line with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

Mungai also highlighted increased participation of girls in STEM, noting that more than 60 per cent of coding participants were female.

Among the innovations showcased was an automated construction site lift system developed by 11-year-old Kimberly Waringa of St George Kiringatha School together with Kushal Asher.

Other projects included an automated door system by Aiden Chege Mugendi, a Grade 6 learner at Consolata School Nairobi, and an ultrasonic sensor system by Celestine Wanjiku and Sheldon Alex.

A Grade 9 student and facilitator, Yash Asher, said the programme had enabled him to grow from a learner into a trainer in robotics and coding.