US group urges promotion of STEM Education, trains Ilorin students on remote-piloted aircraft technology
13 August 2023 |
2:55 am
In a bid to encourage critical thinking skills and promotion of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education leading to driving passion for innovation among students, a US-based non-profit organisation, AEROSTEM Fellowship,...
Students in a class.
In a bid to encourage critical thinking skills and promotion of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education leading to driving passion for innovation among students, a US-based non-profit organisation, AEROSTEM Fellowship, has concluded training secondary school students within the Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State, on remote-controlled aircraft.
The 3-day workshop, which was initiated by Project Sunshine, was held for 45 students selected across the junior and senior categories in the state’s capital.
The participated schools include: Government high school, Ilorin; Federal Government College, Ilorin; Government Secondary school, Ilorin; UNILORIN Secondary School; Ebenezer High School; Sarod Academy; Adrin School; Gifted Model school; Lamond College and Minaret Islamic School.
Others are: Bright Star college, Hallmark school, Sheikh Abdulsalaam Secondary School, Faith international School, Focal Point School, Government Day Junior Secondary School, Great Success Step College, Queen Elizabeth School, Everett Height School and Glorious Vision School.
Speaking at the conclusion of the workshop held on Wednesday at the International Aviation College, Ilorin, one of the organisers of the programme, Idris Ekungba who is a Captain with the American Eagle Airline in the United States, said the essence of the workshop was to promote the STEM education towards inspiring the next generation of aviators among the students.
He revealed that the workshop afforded the students the opportunity to understand how to develop a remote-piloted aircraft using cartons and other equipment.
“We are here to inspire the next generation of not just aviators, but Scientists, Engineers who will be able to see how STEM is important to education by creating a niche for themselves in the field,” he said.
While expressing satisfaction with the students’ performance, he assured of embarking on more projects targeted at assisting students to hone their skills and foster a bright future for them.
He said: “It is always important to look back to where you came from. I grow up in a home with a father that instills that passion of giving back to the society in me and to do this, it has to do with what I am passionate about which is aviation.
“The level of assimilation and work they have done is beyond our expectation. We introduced them to drone operation and they created flyable operational drones.”
Ekungba noted that the Aviation Industry in the country can only get better by developing the manpower through getting kids interested. His partner, Capt. Uche Abali, who works with Delta Airlines in the United States, corroborated Ekungba shared on what motivated him to participate in helping the students.
Advising the students, he noted that they have become a huge asset to their parents and the country at large, urging them to commit themselves to learning.
He encouraged the state government to keep supporting the STEM education by giving proper attention, saying it has potential in harnessing economic growth and development.
Sharing his experience with the students, the workshop instructor, Capt. Musa Damilola, said that the students were excited about the opportunity, adding that many of them now have passion to be a pilot or other-related profession in the field.
On what they have learned, he explained that: “In the AEROSTEM Fellowship, they were able to learn on how to build RC plane, which is remote-piloted aircraft by themselves using cartons, a local source materials, and other equipment we gave them. They were able to do this within two days and we are satisfied.”
Representing the state’s Ministry of Education, Mrs Monsurat Kannike, applauded the captains for remembering the society that raised and nurtured them in becoming who they are today.
She assured the participants that the state government would continue to provide adequate support and assistance for the college to thrive. One of the beneficiary students, identified as Ayomide Francis,19, expressed deep appreciation for the efforts made by the organisers, as she described the workshop as an eye-opener for her to know where she is heading to in the future.
She said: “I intend to be an Airforce personnel. The programme gave me more motivation and insights on what to do and what not to do in becoming who I want to become. I also learned a lot from the mentorship offered. I feel fulfilled attending this programme.”
Abdulsalaam Sulaimon from Bright Star College, also thanked the organisers and prayed God give them the strength to continue assisting the society.
Other highpoints of the event included the showcasing of the RC aircraft developed by the students through cartons and awards of cash prizes by the organisers.
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