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Benefits of developing science, technology learning at elementary stage

By Ujunwa Atueyi
23 November 2017   |   4:17 am
It has been estimated that by the year 2021, robots will eliminate 60 per cent of jobs in the United States, according to Director, Design and Technology Innovation Company, Mr. Stanley Agwuh.

Chairman, Dowbex, Mr. Roger Okoruwa (left); Chairman, HME Technology, UK, Mr. Martyn Hale; Mr Sam Etatuvie; Executive Director, Center for Values in Leadership, Isioma Utomi; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Employee Energy, Mr Stanley Agwuh, during the Nigeria Launch of KRE8 Maker Educational STEM Kits for Primary Schools at the British Deputy High Commission in Lagos.

It has been estimated that by the year 2021, robots will eliminate 60 per cent of jobs in the United States, according to Director, Design and Technology Innovation Company, Mr. Stanley Agwuh.

This development, he said should bother Nigerian education policy makers, managers and stakeholders, as well as kick-start a new thinking towards trendy teaching and learning for the Nigerian child.

Speaking during the launch of KRE8 Maker Educational STEM Kits for primary schools at the British Deputy High Commissioner’s residence in Lagos, Agwuh said the import of the launch is to promote the teaching and learning of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at the primary level of education.

The product launched in partnership with HME Technology, United Kingdom (UK), he added will allow pupils to explore science in a fun way and stimulate their interest.

According to him, “We need to pay attention to what is happening around the globe. Our skills after university education are no longer valuable. We need to acquire new skills through sound quality primary education. There is need for powerful connection between STEM and early childhood education.

On how the KRE8 Maker Kits work, he explained, “The product is in mathematical and geometric form, it is curriculum based. It has three kits for elementary, intermediate and advanced level. The first kit will serve for primary one and two, the second for primary three and four and the third for primary five and six. And in each of these kits, we have teachers’ kits for proper tutoring and guidance. It is available for both public and private schools and it is affordable.

Agwuh also said: “At the moment, we have universities of science and technology, vocational centres at secondary school level with little or no initiative at the primary level, whereas the primary level is the appropriate place to capture and permeate the mind of the young ones. If this is well implemented, our children will not just be competitive but competing with the right skills.”

Chairman HME Technology, UK, Mr. Martyn Hale, remarked that the problem with Nigeria and other African countries is lack of skills and infrastructure. “They have people but they don’t have the necessary skills. With this product, which we intend to start from primary school, we will create a new generation that is keen in STEM subjects.

“With the product, competiveness is guaranteed as science and technology will be incorporated into teaching and learning at elementary stage. We need support from Nigerian government in the interest of their kids. They need to support this project owing to its benefit. It allows pupils to learn by making use of their hands to create cubes and different shapes. The product also has 2D and 3D shapes formation, which is unique,” he added.

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