Taraba trains 16 teachers in space exploration, STEM education
The Taraba State Ministry of Science and Technology has trained 16 teachers drawn from the 16 Local Government Areas of the state in space exploration and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.
The two-day training, themed “Touching the Stars from Taraba,” was held at NIN Hotel, Jalingo, as part of efforts by the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas to upskill teachers and strengthen the implementation of the state’s free education programme.
The training was organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology under the leadership of the Commissioner, Hon. Muslim Usman Abdullahi, with the aim of equipping teachers with knowledge of space exploration and STEM education, which they are expected to transfer to students in their respective schools.
Representing Governor Agbu Kefas at the event, the Commissioner for Digital Economy and Innovation, Hon. Gideon Nonso Mbaso, said the initiative was another step towards strengthening education and preparing young people in the state for the future.
“This programme represents another important step in our committment to strengthening education and preparing the young people of Taraba State for the future ahead. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics is central to the development of every society.”
He stated.
The Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon. Muslim Usman Abdullahi, described the training as a pilot programme and appreciated the governor for supporting the initiative.
He urged the participating teachers to make maximum use of the knowledge acquired during the training and ensure that it is transferred to children in their classrooms.
“We are doing this programme for the future of Taraba. The governor and the ministry have done their part. Now it is your turn to play your part. Go out and impact this knowledge to our children so we can build a better Taraba.” He mentioned.
Also speaking, Mrs Maranatha Haa, a Limitless Space Global Educator and Team Lead for Stream for the Future, said the programme was designed to expose participants to space exploration and equip them with the skills to integrate space-related knowledge into classroom teaching.
“We are here to actually expose them on how to use space exploration to advance STEM education in the classroom. The essence is for the teachers to integrate space knowledge in the classroom to spark up curiosity that will lead to students identifying problems in their communities and solving them.”
Participants were trained in various aspects of robotics technology and were subsequently presented with starter packs and certificates at the end of the programme.
The initiative is expected to enable the trained teachers to introduce students to space science, robotics and other STEM-related concepts, while encouraging innovation, curiosity and problem-solving among learners across the state.
