By Maxwell Awumah
Sokode-Gborgame (V/R), Sept 27, GNA-Students of Mater Ecclessiae School near Ho, have had a rare opportunity of familiarising themselves with modern virtual computing equipment in three-dimensional (3D) format and lessons in programming as part of Ghana’s version of the Africa Science Week celebrations at Sokode-Gborgame in the Volta Region.
The students were taken through skills of designing simple algorithms, codes and creation of own games and animations, which they executed with precision to the admiration of the organizers, Ghana Codes Club and Ho Node Digital Innovation Centre.
Eldad Bosrotsi and Edna Damalie, Junior High School, form One students of the School said the experience was great and had increased their zeal to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), a notch higher.
They exclaimed « Virtual experience was totally different from the hard copy text book, » in a digestive system expose’ of a human anatomy.
The Africa Science Week celebrations is under the auspices of the Next Einstein Forum, AIMS- (African Institute for Mathematical Sciences) Ghana and the Ghana Academy of Arts and Science (GAAS), expected to be the biggest celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
It is under the theme-Accelerating Growth and Development through STEM. Other activities will include Activity Day in Tamale; an open science day in Kumasi; Ghana STEM conference to be held in Accra and an open STEM Day and data-thon both in Accra.
Mr Courage Asase, Community Manager of Ho Node Innovation Centre, said science and technology had become the driving force in the 21st Century and it was necessary to deploy its usage to the young ones, who would develop into champions in the nearest future.
He cited an instance, where bringing the virtual reality set (VRS), a device that helped in the teaching and learning of science and technology in 3D format demystified abstract learning to practical and domesticated approaches, making teaching and learning appreciable and less stressful.
He said over 300 students in the Ho Municipality including Ho Poly Basic School, Presbyterian Basic School, Matse RC and EP Schools have benefited from their services, aimed at promoting STEM in students especially, the girl-child.
Mr Asase entreated schools to procure the VRS devices through collective efforts from Old Students, Parent-Teacher Association as well as the traditional heads towards making teaching and learning STEM stress-free.
Mrs Ernestina Appiah, Founder of Ghana Code Club, said the concept was to « grasp them young, » and empower all elementary schools in the country to have access to digital skills that would make them thrive in an increasingly global digital space.
She said the science of coding developed the analytical thinking, improved decision-making and problem solving skills, which needed to be impacted at the core of a child’s education in a smart manner.
She said over 42 schools in Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions were members of the Club, which was still expanding.
Mr Gameli Adjaho, Lead of Global Lab Nework and member of the ASW team, said the celebration was an attempt to make science and technology relevant in Africa’s development paradigm by connecting science to society.
He said some of the outcomes witnessed increased public understanding of science, increased governmental funding for research and culture of innovation, and problem solving using IT in the country.
Reverend Sister Janet Emmanuelle Ofosu, Head teacher of the School, said plans was afoot to procure the VRS device and she expressed the belief that the acquisition would add up to the already sophisticated laboratory of the school.
She anticipated that the procurement would broaden the learning and teaching of STEM.
GNA
MA/DSA
