CEMASTEA Launches Mentorship and Outreach Programme to Boost STEM Education
CEMASTEA, or the Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa, has introduced a new mentorship and outreach program to encourage learners to excel in Science, Technology Education, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.
The initiative aims to empower teachers across the country to deliver STEM subjects effectively and spark interest among learners, in line with the government’s development and industrialization agenda.
CEMASTEA National Trainer, Martin Mungai, explains that through working with teachers, the State Corporation has identified gaps in teaching methodologies, adding that through the outreach program, teachers are being exposed to various models and resources that can be used to teach the subjects.
The models have been designed to simplify multiple concepts in Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, robotics and coding, Climate Change, and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) to regenerate interest among learners.
CEMASTEA aims to empower teachers with skills to use locally available resources to develop models to aid practical learning. Mungai emphasizes that the biggest challenge has been the need for a practical approach to teaching STEM subjects.
The goal is to renew interest in the subjects by demonstrating their importance to students and encouraging them to pursue them.
CEMASTEA plans to reach at least 50 schools across the country this financial year through the outreach program, which Mungai is optimistic will have a ripple effect on performance in the subjects.
The hands-on activities with students will enable teachers to unpack concepts quickly and practically, connecting what they are learning in class to the outside world and the opportunities available if they take up these subjects.
CEMASTEA also challenges teachers to take advantage of the skills acquired through the program and be innovative to boost performance in the subjects.
The creation of interest in a subject solely depends on the teacher, so teachers are encouraged to create a positive attitude among learners, particularly in subjects like chemistry and physics, and demonstrate to them why they need to pursue them for future possibilities.
The outreach program is critical in reigniting interest in science and mathematics, says Kisumu Central Sub-County Director of Education, Mr. Charles Ang’iela. Through the program, more teachers and students will benefit from skills and practical knowledge to boost performance.
The exposure given to students will help transform their attitude towards the subjects since some concepts that hitherto looked difficult have been simplified.
The approach by CEMASTEA is set to transform how the subjects are taught in secondary schools, says Elvira Gero, a Mathematics and Physics teacher at Bishop Abiero Shauri Moyo Secondary School.
The sensitization by CEMASTEA on the use of locally available resources to come up with teaching aids to demystify concepts in science and mathematics, she adds, will go a long way in boosting performance in the subjects.
CEMASTEA Launches Mentorship and Outreach Programme to Boost STEM Education
