Segun James
Fifty teachers from the Lagos State Education District One have completed a five-day STEM training workshop tagged “Global Air Drone Challenge for Teachers,” which was organised by the United States of America’s government as part of its contribution to strengthen the capacity of teachers in Lagos State in STEM teaching methods.
The teacher capacity building workshop was led by instructors from U.S.-headquartered Global Air Drone Academy, which was sponsored by the U.S. Consulate General in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Education
The teachers were drawn from public schools in underserved communities of Agege, Alimosho and Ifako-Ijaiye and introduced to basics of building and flying drones, computer coding, solar panel assembly, as well as various aspects of implementing an integrated approach to teaching Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in the classroom.
Speaking at the grand finale of the workshop that was held at the Government Senior College Agege, the U.S. Consulate Public Affairs Officer, Mr. Stephen Ibelli, explained that the workshop was aimed at offering innovative tools for teachers from public high schools to teach STEM subjects and better prepare Nigerian youth for 21st century challenges.
Ibelli underscored the importance of STEM education to Nigeria’s future prosperity and economic competitiveness. According to him, developing tech skills could place students on a track to future careers in computer science, robotics and artificial intelligence, preparing them to solve real life problems with more creativity, critical thinking and effectiveness.
“The U.S. Mission in Nigeria is committed to supporting initiatives that promotes STEM education in Nigeria. Technological knowledge is an essential element of the 21st-century economy, and it starts in the classroom. This teacher training workshop will boost teacher confidence and capabilities in the areas of STEM teaching and learning,” Ibelli noted.
One of the teachers who participated in the workshop, Ms. Morayo Oyin-Adejobi, described her experience as “impactful.” Oyin-Adejobi noted that she has been inspired on best way to encourage students’ participation in STEM related activities in the classroom.
“Through this workshop, I have learned the various applications of drones in everyday life. I am taking everything I have learned to my students and to encourage them to pursue careers in the STEM fields,” she added.
Following the completion of the training, the U.S. Consulate provided 50 teachers with “Drone in a Box” to take back to their schools and classrooms. This is expected to provide the teachers and their students with an opportunity to put their newly acquired skills to use.
The Global Air Drone Challenge for Teachers is one of U.S. Mission’s many initiatives that expand people-to-people ties and educational linkages between the United States and Nigeria, engage underserved communities, and strengthen human capital for inclusive Nigerian economic growth and human development.
