A non-governmental organization called Webfala Digital Skills for All Initiative (WDSFaI) in collaboration with two US organizations, Pratt and Whitney and the North American Association for Environmental Education, have organized E-STEM (Environment, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and robotics training programs for educators in Kwara State.
The training conducted by a robotic specialist Michael Joseph, gave an introduction to the field of robotics to the participating instructors at the Ilorin training program. He taught them about the fundamental hardware and software components of robotics, such as LCDs, motors, and sensors.
“Using Arduino Uno, a micro-controller platform, and reusable materials, the teachers were able to design and build some autonomous robots like a LED light bar, intruder alarm, voice-controlled LED, ultrasonic robot, and temperature monitoring system with the theoretical and practical knowledge they received.”
Imparting into young children a sense of curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving abilities that will equip them for the workforce of the future was crucial, he continued.
Bakare Nafisat, the executive director of the Zebfala Digital Skills WDS-FAL, stated that instructors with little experience with robotics and E-STEM were the main target for the program. It was created to give them the fundamental technical and real-world expertise needed to incorporate robotics and STEM education into their classroom instruction.
Following the training, teachers are supposed to impart the knowledge and skills they have learned to their students.
She also revealed that her organization has chosen 17 schools in the state to receive free robotic kits and specialized training sessions for their students as part of efforts to assist the expansion of robotics education in Kwara.
In addition, children between the ages of 9 -14 will be able to enroll in a 4-week robotics program. We are grateful to the North American Association for Environmental Education and Pratt & Whitney for their support in making this initiative feasible.
With this project, we hope to introduce young kids to robotics and provide them the knowledge and abilities to use robots and computational thinking to solve issues.
Mr. Kareem Aduagba, a teacher at Ethical College in Ilorin and Osundeyi Comfort, a teacher from Aderoju International Schools who took part in the robotics workshop, thanked the organizers and pledged to share the knowledge and skills they learned with his students.
The 60 IT-inclined educators from various schools across Kwara State attended the program, Through hands-on activities and group projects, the participants were able to gain practical insights into the field of E-STEM and robotics education.