The Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation (STEMi) Makers of Africa is set to launch its e-STEM Integration and Development training of Educators project in partnership with the United States Embassy in Gaborone, Botswana.

STEMi Makers of Africa, an African tech-based organisation, made this known in Lagos on Friday through a communique to pressmen.

Kelebogile Dennis Masina, the Country Coordinator of STEMi Makers of Africa for Botswana said that the project is the first of its kind in Botswana and that the partnership is a year-long project aimed to upskill 100 educators and 550 indirect educators from the Kweneng District of Botswana into a world-class STEM workforce for Botswana’s economy.

Masina said the e-STEM Integration and Development training of mid-level educators in Botswana will be an immersive hands-on training on physical computing, coding and robotics, drone technologies, IOT, AR/VR, AI, 3D printing and hardware engineering, and prototyping.

Amanda Obidike, the Executive Director of STEMi Makers of Africa, stated that the organisation has executed many projects in 19 African countries, currently has offices in seven African countries and is registered in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Obidike said that the project is designed to improve teaching competencies and consequently increase retention of talents’ participation in climate solutions through physical computing, robotics, and project-based learning activities aligned to environmental thematic areas in the Kweneng district of Botswana.

“Educators will be trained, mentored and provided quality STEM resource tools and kits to accelerate project-based learning, critical thinking, creativity, and innovation.

“We are building the next generation of educators in Botswana who will serve as role models in enhancing students’ interest and competitiveness in STEM careers and the green economy,” she said.

Obidike revealed that the project kicks off from December 2024 with an extensive blend of technical training, mentorship, assessments of the schools, educators and students in Botswana.

She stated that at the end of the project, educators and over 8,200 students will showcase their e-STEM project exhibitions and be rewarded.

The STEMi boss added that these projects will be aligned to six thematic areas: sustainability and environmental stewardship, powering communities, cyber-technology and security, biodiversity and extinction, green food nutrition and consumption, and sustainable transportation campaign.