The Royal Iwere Foundation, the humanitarian arm of the Warri kingdom monarchy has embarked on its maiden edition of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics hub boot camp for children at the STEM Innovation Centre in Iyara in partnership with the office of the Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals to the governor of Delta State, Diana Eyo-Enoette.

The training, which lasted for five days, kicked off from April 22 to Friday 26, 2024, and was geared towards offering Information Technology-based training to upscale the skills of children at an early age.

As part of the partnership, Eyo-Enoette and TakeLead Technologies would also mentor 25 children aged 7 – 12 across six schools in Iyara community of Warri: Monesto School, Holy Cross School, Morning Star School, Merit School, Great Knowledge School, and CleverMinds Free School.

STEM is an approach to learning and development that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, Through STEM, students develop key skills including problem-solving creativity.

The STEM Hub Boot Camp aligns with the United Nations’ SDGs 3, 4, 5, and 10, and offers a developmental curriculum and personalised learning skills, tailored to young learners, taking into consideration their sociocultural circumstances and educational backgrounds.

TakeLead Technologies founder, Ayesha Elike, and her team facilitated the interactive five-day boot camp, teaching the children fundamentals of electronics, Arduino programming, coding, basic robotics, and STEM product innovation.

On the programme’s grand finale and demo day, the children presented their STEM products, which include automated trash cans, code-controlled motor wheels, and motion-controlled LED lights, to special guests of the day; their teachers.

RIF Visioner, and Queen Consort of Warri kingdom, Her Royal Highness Olori Atuwatse III, commended the efforts of the children, the partners, and the foundation’s staffShe said, “This programme is a milestone accomplishment for quality foundational education in our region.

Educating and empowering the youth of Warri kingdom is crucial for our societal progress.

“Through initiatives like the STEM Hub Boot Camp, we ignite curiosity, encourage innovation, and cultivate resilience in our young people, keeping them gainfully engaged and shaping them into active contributors to our kingdom’s and the nation’s development.”

Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on SDGs, Eyo-Enoette, on her part applauded the facilitators and participating schools at the STEM Hub Boot Camp 1.0.

She expressed her thoughts on the programme’s potential to revolutionise the learning experience of beneficiaries, especially in STEM, and noted that “the programme aims to inspire and engage children, encourage them to explore STEM and its potential for creating sustainable development solutions.

On the demo day, two teachers, Mrs. Gold of Holy Cross School and Mrs Folake of Monesto School, expressed their enthusiasm for the program and thanked the Warri monarchy for the efforts just as they encouraged the continuation and expansion of the programme to other schools across Warri and Delta State.

Speaking on the continuation of the programme, RIF Chief Operating Officer, Ogechukwuabiago Ezeobiorah, stated “RIF, under the leadership of the Warri kingdom monarchy is pioneering STEM education by establishing a STEM lab and powering the STEM Hub Boot Camp because it believes in providing quality foundational education to the youth of Warri.

“The boot camp will metamorphose into a bi-weekly school club because continuing education is the key to the sustainable development of the children.

RIF is open to partnering with individuals, organisations, and institutions focused on nurturing children’s futures in marginalised and underprivileged communities. We want to take this programme to other communities in Warri and beyond and establish more STEM labs. Partner with us.”

The RIF is a non-profit organisation established to educate, enlighten, and empower the youth and people of Warri kingdom for a brighter future.

RIF is dedicated to fostering a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship through targeted SDG-oriented initiatives.