Port Harcourt: Three Non-Governmental Organisations, PanAfricare, TechWomen Alumni Association Nigeria, and the ExxonMobil Foundation, on Friday, launched the INSPIRE Project in Rivers, aimed at boosting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in secondary schools.
During the unveiling ceremony in Port Harcourt, Dr Patrick Adah, Country Director of PanAfricare Nigeria, stated that the project was designed to revolutionise the teaching and learning of STEM subjects in Nigeria’s underserved schools.
STEM education is an approach to learning that focuses on four key academic disciplines: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Rather than teaching these subjects separately, STEM integrates them into a unified learning model based on real-world applications.
It encourages students to solve problems creatively and logically, work collaboratively on projects, think critically and innovatively, and use technology and tools to explore ideas.
According to Adah, the Innovation, STEM, and Partnerships for Inclusive and Relevant Education (INSPIRE) project is funded by the ExxonMobil Foundation in collaboration with TechWomen Alumni Association Nigeria and PanAfricare.
The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s vision for improving STEM education and aims to equip students with the skills required for the evolving job market.
He noted that the project had previously been launched in the FCT, Bauchi, Kaduna, Lagos, and Abia States. Rivers is now among the 14 selected states to benefit from it, targeting underserved secondary schools.
Adah outlined the project’s core objectives, including enhancing students’ innovative and problem-solving skills and bridging the resource and technology gap in public schools.
It also aims to strengthen teachers’ capacity through training, increase access to modern learning tools, and expand exposure to a broad range of STEM topics.
He expressed appreciation to the ExxonMobil Foundation for its funding support and thanked the Rivers Government for facilitating the project’s implementation.
Adah also highlighted the achievements of PanAfricare’s Future Skills initiatives, including an INSPIRE Award won by Government Secondary School, Garki, which earned them a place at the World Robotics Championship in Houston, Texas.
“An innovation award received by Government Science Secondary School, Maitama, qualifying them for the Open Africa Championship in South Africa.
Mrs Damilola Anwo-Ade, INSPIRE Programme Lead at TechWomen Nigeria, presented an overview of the project and emphasised the importance of inclusive education.
According to her, the initiative empowers teachers and students, including those with disabilities.
She stressed the need for intentional technology integration in classrooms, citing tools such as 3D printers and virtual reality as transformative assets in education.
Anwo-Ade described the teachers’ training workshops as transformational, stating that teachers reported an enhanced ability to deliver engaging and interactive STEM lessons, significantly benefiting students.
“This project is being implemented across several states, with Rivers being the final stop for training,” she said.
“TechWomen remains committed to using our skills, experience, and networks to empower the next generation of STEM leaders.”
Dr Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Education, expressed gratitude to the ExxonMobil Foundation for supporting education and empowering communities.
Uzoma-Nwogu was represented by Dr Janet Amadi, acting Chairman/Director of Administration, Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board (RSSSB).
She commended PanAfricare and TechWomen for bridging the gender gap in technology and building capacity among women and youth in STEM.
She noted that the 15 teachers trained under the INSPIRE Project were expected to return to their schools as ambassadors of innovation, tasked with encouraging student interest in digital literacy and entrepreneurship.
She also urged school principals to ensure that trained teachers utilised the technology tools provided to spark creativity and unlock students’ full potential.
Mrs Worgu Sosoma-Ala, Head of Directors, Mathematics Department at Oginigba Comprehensive Secondary School, speaking on behalf of the trained teachers, praised the organisers for their commitment to improving public education.
She described the training in 3D modelling, robotics, augmented reality, and virtual reality as a game changer for STEM education.
“This training will not only inspire students but also make learning more interactive, engaging, and understandable,” she said.
She called on the government to increase investment in STEM innovation, especially in public schools, to help bridge the educational gap.
The INSPIRE Box unveiled at the event includes a merge cube, 3D printer, filament, microcontroller, google cardboard headset, board games, modem and data, coding software, one laptop, one mobile phone, and a storage box for the items for senior secondary schools.
The senior secondary school received 230 pieces of core science equipment and 20 science models to enhance STEM teaching and learning.
For junior secondary schools: A pre-packaged lab kit containing 48 core science equipment items, 30 educational charts, booklets, and models.
The event’s highlights included the official unveiling and inspection of the INSPIRE Box and the presentation of certificates of donation to the beneficiary schools.
