What does it take to boost the number of students coming into STEM? A little hands-on experience and some test, it seems.
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics—arguably subjects students have a hard time dealing with in school.
On June 15, the Association of Professional Women Engineers in Nigeria decided to do something about it.
It staged the “excellence in mathematics” programme to mark Children’s Day.
In the end, it produced what it terms petroleum and biomedical engineers.
To do this, students were put through technical sessions that explained how to excel in mathematics.
The sessions also explained how to logically understand STEM subjects—the kind of mnemonics, bag of tricks and formulas that children resort to in school to commit bits of difficult science to memory.
At the end of the exercise, the students were assessed after each session and the best six fastest fingers were rewarded.
The first, second, and third positions were awarded a plaque and other gift items.
The Director of Education Resource Centre, Neemat Abdul Raheem commended APWEN for a continuous “inspiring” mentorship of students.
Chairperson of APWEN in Abuja, Dare Bello, said the programme was aimed at impacting the understanding of STEM subjects “in order to increase the number of students coming into engineering”.
“It is for students’ better understanding of mathematics as a simple subject which they can excel with 100% and expand their knowledge in understanding of other stem subjects.”
