The Minister for Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum has launched this year’s edition of the National Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Project competition dubbed ‘STEMMNNOVATION’.

The launching of the event which is on the theme “Future –Proofing Socio-Economic Development in Ghana through STEM Education” sets the tone for the commencement of all Senior High as well as Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions to showcase their prowess in innovative projects.

All the participating institutions and groups will be locking horns with their creative potential in Finding Lasting Solutions to challenges confronting their immediate community or the country.

The participants are supposed to be current beneficiaries of the Free Senior High Programme and each institution is expected to be challenged to develop STEM projects on topics in the areas of urban gardening, clean water and flexible use of electricity.

The event was attended by major stakeholders in the education sector, the Osu Mantse and the Mayor of Accra.

Launching the event, Dr Adutwum reiterated the government’s commitment towards supporting the transformation of the nation’s economy through education.

He recounted how President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo keep showing his commitment towards the provision of the right resources to provide the needed infrastructure and the training of the right manpower for the transformation of the nation’s economy.

The Education Minister indicated that the construction of new STEM institutions, the rehabilitation of old schools, the supply of science equipment to existing and new schools were all part of the effort to boost the teaching and learning of STEM related courses in the country.

He stated that to help provide the needed manpower to promote the nation’s industrialization drive, STEM was surely the driving force to attain the dream of becoming an industrial nation.

As of Monday, 190 senior public schools had registered to participate in the competition.

Twenty four schools would be selected to compete in the finals.

The Coordinator of the Free Senior High School Secretariat, Mr William Darkwa on his part said “STEMNNOVATION is not just an event but a transformative force that ignites the spark of curiosity, innovation, and problem-solving within the hearts and minds of our young generation. It is a movement that seeks to propel our country forward and empowers our youth to become trailblazers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics”.

Again he stated that “As we embark on this journey, let us reflect on the profound impact that STEM education has on our society. STEM is not merely an acronym; it is a gateway to unlocking the limitless potential within our children. It equips them with the critical skills and mind-set necessary to tackle the challenges of the 21st century and beyond”.

“STEMNNOVATION 2023 is our call to action, our collective invitation to every SHS, SHTS, and TVET institution across Ghana. We challenge our young minds to employ the power of STEM in finding lasting solutions to the pressing problems within their communities. This is our opportunity to harness their passion, creativity, and intellect to drive the socio-economic development of our beloved nation”.

Background

The STEMNNOVATION competition which is the initiative of the FSHS Secretariat bring all second-cycle institutions in the country together to compete with their innovative projects.

Apart from helping the students the opportunity to work as a team, it also help them to test their ability to research on issues affecting their communities and the nation as a whole.

Each of the competing institutions would have to qualify from their various regions before competing at the national finals slated for September this year.

Last year Kumasi Academy SHS won the trophy.

By Richard Bright Addo

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