STEM workshops are designed to provide an interactive and engaging experience to support classroom-based science, technology, engineering and math. A range of soft skills such as; teamwork and communication complement the academic elements to give learners a comprehensive overview of this exciting area.
The workshop involves Destination Imagination (DI) which is the world’s largest creative problem-solving, process-oriented program for K-12 students with 30 years of success.
It is a learning program that encourages students to have fun, take risks, and frame challenges while incorporating STEM, the arts and service learning.
On the 4th February 2019, Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya partnered with IBM conducted a workshop on STEM for class five and six students from Mtongwe Primary School together with few staff from BMMK centers. It was a two and a half hour workshop where students were placed in groups of 6 and were given challenges to complete. The total number of participants was 45, where 30 were students, along with 2 teachers from Jaffery Academy and 13 Bilal staff.
There were 4 challenges which consisted of:
- Create a free standing structure that is as tall as possible
- Change the tall structure into something that will span the distance between two chairs that are at least 35 cm apart
- Move it
- Stealth Flyer
The challenges presented to the kids, are tailored around the 21st century skills which are the set of abilities that students need to develop in order to succeed in the information age. At the end of the Destination Imagination day, students experienced the 4 Cs of Learning and Innovation skills:
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Creativity and Innovation
Comments:
“The program has enabled us to understand the importance of sharing ideas. Imparting skills to young learners is beneficial for their development. The workshop consists of socializing adventures where everybody can have fun” – Teacher
“This was an interesting and enjoyable workshop. Students were able to explore their thinking abilities and hand to eye co-ordination. These activities have taught students to be creative and to think out of the box” – Teacher
“I enjoyed the class. It made me think. I did make things like a tall structure and a bridge which was made out of straws, colored paper, rubber bands. I think we should have such activities at school too”- Student
“I was in team ‘Leopards’. I had a lot of fun in the session. I made lots of friends. My friends and I would think together to win the test. I was very happy when we won the competition” – Student
Bilal Muslim Mission of Kenya would like to thank and appreciate Sis. Fatima Khimji for facilitating the STEM Workshop. The Mission also thanks all those involved in this training program.
For news of our activities, visit www.kenbilal.org
P.O. Box 82508 – 80100
Tel: 254 41 2229641
Mombasa
February 2019 Prepared by: Faraah Sumar