Enhancing Digital Literacy for Lifelong Learning in Tea Communities – STEM Project
Status: Completed
Period: January 2021 – December 2021
Factories: Gachege, Gacharage, Kiru, Ragati, Mununga, Mungania, Kionyo, Momul, Olenguruone, Gianchore, Nyamache and Chebut
Partners: Taylors of Harrogate, The STEM Impact Center Kenya, Benne Tea & Tea Board of Kenya
The main aim of the project was to improve the quality of education and learning outcomes of 240 students across the 12 KTDA zones through a mentorship programme in coding and robotics. This would be achieved through training 24 teachers from under developed schools in the tea growing zones.
The desire for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics mentorship program especially for girls in the tea growing zones is to break the key barriers to girls’ education and especially in STEM in these regions including the lack of interest from the learners; lack of role models in STEM; lack of STEM mentorship programmes; gender barriers; negative attitudes towards STEM and few STEM activities that spur interest and creativity especially in under resourced schools among others.
Training Topics
The topics covered were, Introduction to STEM Education, Introduction to Robotics, Building Solutions with LEGO Education SPIKE Prime, Introduction to STEM education, coding and development of a robotics project using sensors and motors, Invention Education and the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) competition.
Impact and Progress
- 24 teachers trained on robotics and coding and use of the tools for the project
- 240 students recruited and formed STEM Clubs in their schools
- The Foundation donated 12 laptops to the schools.
- Additionally, Benne Tea in partnership with the Tea Board of Kenya donated a total of 60 laptops as part of supporting the programme.